The Consumer Federation of America (CFA) signed onto a letter alongside more than 250 national and local housing organizations urging members of Congress to allocate at least $57.5 million for HUD’s Housing Counseling Assistance Program in Fiscal Year 2026.

CFA is a strong supporter of housing counseling and it has been a vital resource for families across the country. Since 2009, this HUD-funded program has helped over 4.2 million households avoid foreclosure, provided assistance to 1.9 million renters, and supported more than 267,000 individuals experiencing homelessness. In FY2023 alone, nearly 970,000 people received housing counseling and education services: helping them prevent foreclosure, purchase homes, secure affordable rental housing, and develop sustainable financial habits. Housing counseling helps set up renters, homebuyers, and homeowners for future success and empowers them to make housing decisions that are best for them, wit the help of independent and professionally trained counselors. Housing counselors also play a critical role in disaster recovery by guiding impacted families through complex processes related to insurance, mortgages, and government aid.

The coalition’s letter highlights the importance of housing counseling and calls on Congress to maintain robust funding to continue supporting families striving for stable, affordable housing.