The Department of Housing and Urban Development published a final rule to allow housing counseling agencies to use alternative communication methods, including virtual meeting tools, instead of providing in-person services.
Why it matters: HUD says implementing the rule will increase accessibility for people who have difficulty obtaining in-person services due to linguistic, physical, geographic, or other barriers, such as transportation and childcare costs.
Go deeper: Expanding these options is also a more cost-effective and efficient way for housing counseling agencies to meet with their clients, as they no longer need to maintain multiple facilities for in-person engagements.
Counseling agencies that choose not to provide in-person services are required to refer clients to local providers that do provide such services when requested.
What’s next: The final rule becomes effective on October 16, 2024.
