4^th Quarter FY2014 9902 Report Guidance:

The Housing Counseling System (HCS) 9902 reporting quarters for FY2014 is now open for those agencies funded by HUD Housing Counseling grant to input their HUD Clients served during 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd & 4^th Quarters of FY2014.  HUD Client data in 9902 reports must still be completed manually in HCS.  HCS does not support this function for FY2014. Please be mindful when selecting the correct reporting period in HCS.  From the 9902 menu tab in HCS, select both the Fiscal Year (ex 2014) and the Reporting Quarter (1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, or 4^th) as appropriate. Note: After submitting your updated report, your timely credit will show "LATE". To correct this for timely credit, contact your HUD Point of Contact (POC) to have your report changed the submission date to the original. For assistance with filing your 9902 report please contact your HUD POC or email: housing.coundrling@hud.gov .

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New HUD Webinar Training for Intermediary Agencies:

October 15, 2014 – Webinar: Parent Agency Roles and Responsibilities.  The HUD Office of Housing Counseling will be hosting a series of webinars on the roles and responsibilities of intermediary organizations with networks of sub-grantees, affiliates, and/or branch offices.   These trainings will cover the topics of Network Monitoring, Network Expansion, Grant Administration and Technical Assistance.  This first webinar will provide an overview of the series and briefly address network monitoring, expansion, grant administration.  The webinar will also discuss affirmatively furthering fair housing requirements for HUD participating agencies through marketing activities.  All HUD Housing Counseling Program participating agencies that have parent responsibilities such as Intermediary Organizations, State Housing Finance Agencies, Multi State Organizations and Local agencies that have multiple offices should plan to attend this informative series.  The webinar is free and viewers will have the option to use computer equipment for the audio component or dial into a conference call number.  Class size is limited and registrants will be accepted on a first come basis. 1:00PM – 3:00PM Eastern time. Register on-line.

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New HUD Press Release:

HUD REACHES SETTLEMENT WITH MIDLAND STATES BANCORP RESOLVING ALLEGATIONS OF REDLINING BY THE BANK:

Read the entire press release. Stay up to date on the latest HUD news and announcements by visiting HUD's Public Affairs website.

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New Training Updates for Housing Counselors:

1. HUD Webinars for Housing Counselors: Register for these webinars today. Space is limited. After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining these webinars. There is no fee for these webinars. These webinars are sponsored by HUD's Office of Housing Counseling. Visit the HUD Office of Housing Counseling Training Calendar on-line:

October 09, 2014 – Conference call: Appalachia Economic Development Initiative (AEDI) Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA): A Discussion of the Community Capital Initiative's Focus on the Appalachian Distressed Counties. The HUD Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development (ORHED) invites you to take part in our next Peer-to-Peer conference call that will offer participants the opportunity to learn about the AEDI NOFA. Please RSVP by email to rhed@hud.gov no later than 10 a.m. EDT on October 8, 2014. Please include your name and organization.

October 16, 2014 – Webinar:Colorado Energy Savings program overview for housing counselors. The Colorado Energy Office is providing training on incorporating energy efficiency into FHA mortgages through the Energy Efficient Mortgage option and 203k loans. In addition, the presentation will cover basic energy efficiency and how to leverage the Colorado Energy Saving Mortgage Incentive. Learn about FHA's Energy Efficient Mortgage; EPA's, will provide information on basic energy efficiency in residential homes; the Colorado Energy Office will also provide information on the Colorado Energy Saving Mortgage Incentive and other local rebates. Brothers Redevelopment Corp. will provide information on the housing counselor's role as homeownership educators and how they can help promote these products to consumers. 1:30-2:30 MST. Space is limited. Register on-line. Conference Call-in number: (866) 615-1890. Participant Access Code: 338162

October 21, 2014 – Webinar. Emergency Preparedness Planning for Housing Counseling Agencies. This stakeholders meeting will discuss the role of housing counseling agencies in community emergency responses and the importance of Emergency Preparedness Planning. Register on-line.

October 28, 2014 – Webinar: Data needs and sources for Housing Counseling Agencies. Join with HUD for a discussion on what kinds of data housing counseling agencies use and what data would be beneficial to them that they cannot currently access. We will also discuss sources of data. Register on-line.

2. IRS Educational Products, Workshops and Seminars for Exempt Organizations:

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers training for non-profit organizations. Visit their website to view the IRS training calendar.  The IRS provides training for tax-exempt organizations and charitable organizations seeking tax-exempt status at: https://www.stayexempt.irs.gov/. The site includes information for new applicants; information to help existing exempt organizations maintain their exemption; and more in-depth topics. Also View the IRS webinar course catalog for workshops you can take on-line. Training dates include:

October 29-30, 2014 – Eau Claire, WI
December 09, 2014 – Austin, TX

3. Save the Date for These Upcoming NeighborWorks® Training Opportunities: More information can be found on their training calendar.

NeighborWorks® Fall Schedule for Dodd-Frank-related Online Courses: eClassroom Express courses are a convenient, cost-friendly way to refresh your knowledge about topic areas covered in the Dodd-Frank legislation.

October 14, 2014 – Avoiding Delinquency/Default Eviction
October 21, 2014 – Responsibilities of Homeownership & Tenancy

NeighborWorks® training comes to Philadelphia and Washington DC:
December 08-12, 2014 – Washington, DC, NeighborWorks® Training Institute

NeighborWorks® HUD multi-course training comes to Billings, MT:
October 27 – 31, 2014 – Billings, MT. HUD multi-course training. Are you a housing counseling professional who helps individuals and families living in rural areas? Are you prepared to demonstrate your competency in the six major areas of housing counseling covered by Dodd Frank legislation? This multi-course training event features courses that help you excel in the important work you do and strengthens your competency in Dodd-Frank topic areas: Avoiding Delinquency, Fair Housing, Financial Management, Housing Affordability, Property Maintenance, and Responsibility of Homeowners and Tenants. Apply for a scholarship and register on-line.

4. NHNLA Training for Housing Counselors: The National Council of La Raza Homeownership Network Learning Alliance (NHNLA) offers housing counselors extensive on-line training opportunities on a variety of topics. For more information, registrations, and course details, please visit the NHNLA training Calendar. Please see the list of new courses below:

October 21, 2014 – Webinar: Fair Lending and Mortgage Fraud Counseling

October 23, 2014 – Webinar: Homebuyer Education Delivery

October 28, 2014 – Webinar: Disaster Victims Counseling

October 30, 2014 – Webinar: Rental Counseling

November 02, 2014 – eLearning: Housing Counseling Competency: Avoidance of Foreclosure and Eviction

November 02, 2014 – eLearning: Housing Counseling Competency: Housing Affordability

November 02, 2014 – eLearning: Housing Counseling Competency: Fair Housing

November 04, 2014 – Webinar: HUD Compliance

November 06, 2014 – Webinar: Program Sustainability, Marketing Your Non-Profit

December 02, 2014 – Webinar: Basic Client Management Using CounselorMax

December 04, 2014 – Webinar: Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Counseling

December 09, 2014 – Webinar: Advanced Client Management Using CounselorMax

December 11, 2014 – Webinar: Homeless Counseling

January 13, 2015 – Webinar: Predatory Lending

January 15, 2015 – Webinar: Basic Client Management Using Home Counselor Online

January 20, 2015 – Webinar: Advanced Client Management Using Home Counselor Online

January 22, 2015 – Webinar: HUD Compliance

January 27, 2015 – Webinar: Fair Housing

May 20, 2015 – Webinar: Rental Counseling

May 21, 2015 – Webinar: Fair Housing

May 26, 2015 – Webinar: Basic Client Management Using CounselorMax

May 27, 2015 – Webinar: Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Counseling

May 28, 2015 – Webinar: Advanced Client Management Using CounselorMax

5. National Community Reinvestment Coalition (NCRC) National Training Academy comes to Milwaukee, WI, on November 17-21, 2014: Housing counselors and professional staff affiliated with HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agencies are invited to attend the comprehensive housing counseling training courses "Housing Counseling Principles for Today's Economic Reality" and "Financial Health Credit Education" on November 17-21, 2014, at the Hilton Garden Inn Hotel in Milwaukee, WI. Please visit NCRC to find more information regarding the Milwaukee Trainings (Click "Training" to access the NCRC Training Academy's portal). These courses are provided with support from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Office of Housing Counseling.

November 17-21, 2014 – HC101: Housing Counseling Principles for Today's Economic Reality. This five-day, 30-hour certification course will introduce new counselors to the principles and applications of housing counseling from both the lender's and the counselor's points of view; review the skills and tools needed to be an effective housing counselor; provide an overview of the industry from a national perspective; and present information about delinquency, default, and pre- and post-purchase counseling for homeowners. Topics include: General housing counseling techniques, Income analysis and affordability computations, Documentation and recordkeeping in the counseling process. This training counts for 5 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Register on-line.

November 17-19, 2014 – HC107: Financial Health Credit Education. This three day, 18-hour course will focus on the elements of financial planning that prepare individuals for success. In particular, it will explore the financial fitness of individuals by explaining budgeting and assessing the financial process. It will also help individuals identify what is considered income, track expenses, forecast expenses, and set financial goals. This course will: Discuss the methods used to analyze cash flow and provide an in-depth understanding of how to calculate spendable income, distinguish between wants and needs, and develop an action plan, Provide tools to assist when evaluating the need to make a big purchase, the pros and cons of owning a home, and how to maximize investment strategies, Explore ways of becoming financially solvent after a major financial crisis (for example, rebuilding after a major financial loss), how to transition from homeowner to renter, and whether to consider homeownership in the future. This training counts for 3 Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). Register on-line.

NCRC National Training Academy – Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Training: In this FREE two-day training, community development practitioners, housing professionals, and local government officials will learn about Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements and regulations that spell out the fair housing obligations of states, cities and towns across America. Dates and locations include:

October 20-21, 2014 – Oakland, CA. Register on-line.
November 03-04, 201 – New Orleans, LA. Register on-line
December 08-09, 2014 – Honolulu, Oahu, HI. Register on-line.

6. Webinars sponsored by Making Home Affordable (MHA): These training events designed specifically for housing counselors and other trusted advisors. Registration for the below courses and other information are available on-line:

October 09, 2014 – CheckMyNPV.com
October 15, 2014 – Hardest Hit Fund Overview
October 21, 2014 – HAMP A to Z for Trusted Advisors
October 23, 2014 – Understanding the Terms of a HAMP Modification: Interest Rate Step-Up, Impact and Resources
October 27, 2014 – Case Escalations for Trusted Advisors

8. FHA Loss Mitigation Training Webinars:  More information and registration for the below on-line course offerings can be found on-line:

October 08, 2014 – Webinar: SFDMS – Reporting Examples
October 15, 2014 – Webinar: SFDMS – Reporting Examples

9. The Housing Determinant: Integrating Housing into the Continuum of HIV Services:

October 21, 2014 – Los Angeles, CA. The Housing Determinant: Integrating Housing into the Continuum of HIV Services. The purpose of this one-day conference is to share the latest research on the impact of housing status on HIV outcomes, to discuss real-world models for integrating housing into HIV prevention and care, to foster collaborations among various stakeholders, and to develop action strategies to inform local policy, community planning, and research directions. This conference would be beneficial for housing counselors serving the HOPWA community. Sponsored by the University California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Register on-line.

10. National Housing Law Project Webinar:

October 21, 2014 – Webinar: Prepayments, Maturing Mortgages, & Foreclosures: Protecting Seniors & Others from Rural Development Rental Housing Displacement. Sponsored by the National Housing Law Project. Register on-line.

11. Counselor's Corner On-line training: Visit the Counselor's Corner for resources and training:

October 28, 2014 – Webinar: Certified Military Home Specialist. Register on-line.