As the nation continues to grapple with the effects of the housing crisis, housing counselors stand at the front lines of the recovery effort, both educating consumers and assisting current homeowners in distress. Their work is critical.
A recent foreclosure-prevention study found that counseling not only helps homeowners avoid foreclosure, it’s a key factor in avoiding lapsing back into default. Nearly 70% of the study participants obtained mortgage remedies; 56% were able to become current on their mortgages.
Counseling also helps first-time homebuyers to avoid serious delinquencies. According to the study, counseled homebuyers were more than 30% less likely to be faced with serious delinquencies than those with similar credit profiles did not receive counseling before their home purchase.
Our Approach
Comprehensive Housing Counseling makes housing options more accessible and sustainable by leveling the economic playing field for African American and other minority renters, homeowners, and the homeless.

2025 Empowerment Goal:
Every American lives in safe, decent, affordable and energy efficient housing on fair terms
Our Services
Counseling services are tailored to meet the needs of each individual, or family, and can address these types of issues:
- Preparation for buying a home
- Default and foreclosure prevention counseling
- Budget and credit counseling
- Home maintenance
- Tenant and landlord rights
- Homelessness
- Reverse mortgage counseling
- Fair housing
Our Impact
of participants had incomes less than half the median income
participants have been helped since 2009
participants received housing counseling and/or education
Accomplishments
Pre-Purchase Homeownership Education
Mortgage Delinquency Education
Rental Assistance Education
Financial Management Education
New Homes
Purchased
Shelter & Homelessness Assistance
Urban League of Greater Atlanta
Chicago Urban League
Urban League of Greater Columbus
Lorain County Urban League
Urban League of Rochester
Urban League of Shenango Valley
Urban League of Broward County
Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Greater Sacramento Urban League
Urban League of San Diego County
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle
Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis