The Department of Housing and Urban Development is planning to make housing counseling an integral part of FHA lending and will soon begin testing the process. HUD’s newly created Office of Housing Counseling (OHC) is working with the FHA to develop a pilot program to embed housing counseling in FHA lending to ensure that borrowers are better prepared for homeownership, said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Whether it’s buying or renting, improving financial literacy, protecting families’ rights against discrimination or even preventing homelessness, housing counselors play a critical role in helping families make ...