How to Find a HUD-Approved Housing Counselor

I strongly suggest that you find a HUD-approved housing counselor. These counselors can help you assess your mortgage situation and, if possible, negotiate a solution with your lender that will keep you in your house. Lenders—which suffer economically from foreclosures and benefit if something can be worked out—are a principal source of funds for these agencies. Here's how you can find a counselor to help you.

• The federal Department of Housing and Urban Develop­ment (HUD) has a list of approved counselors. You can find a HUD-approved counselor at www.hud.gov (click "Talk to a Housing Counselor") or by calling 800-569-4287.
• The Homeownership Preservation Foundation website, www.995hope.org, offers free online counseling, among other things. Or you can call 888-995-HOPE (4673) and talk with someone.
• The Homeowner Crisis Resource Center, www.mortgagehelpnow.org, will link you up with a local nonprofit foreclosure prevention specialist who may or may not be HUD-approved.