Houston-area homeowners can find free foreclosure counseling through HUD’s housing counselor locator or by calling 800-569-4287 (TTY: 202-708-1455). Ask for a counselor who handles mortgage delinquency, default resolution, or foreclosure, then confirm that the agency serves your ZIP code and is accepting clients. While arranging help, contact your mortgage servicer promptly and respond to its notices. HUD says foreclosure counseling is always free; you do not need to pay a foreclosure-rescue company for this help.
Start with HUD’s counselor locator or referral line
Use HUD’s online housing counselor locator or call 800-569-4287. The phone line’s TTY number is 202-708-1455, and HUD says callers can request help locating an agency in a preferred language. HUD is a referral source, not the local counselor: it connects households with participating agencies that provide counseling services. As HUD puts it on its Texas resource page, “HUD is not a direct service provider.”
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When you contact an agency, be specific about the problem. Ask for mortgage delinquency and default resolution (foreclosure) counseling, rather than general homebuyer education or a class about purchasing a home. HUD identifies foreclosure counseling as a service, but agencies do not all offer the same services. A listing in the locator does not, by itself, establish that an agency can take your case now.
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Before sharing documents or arranging an appointment, ask the agency whether it:
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- Provides mortgage-default or foreclosure counseling, rather than only homebuyer education or other housing services.
- Serves your address or ZIP code and currently has capacity for a delinquency case.
- Can communicate in your preferred language and offer an accessible appointment format.
- Provides appointments by phone, remotely, in person, or through another format that works for you.
- Can explain any fee before service begins and whether a fee applies to the specific service you need.
Do not assume that a nearby agency offers walk-ins or has immediate appointments. The current availability of a particular Houston provider should be confirmed directly with that provider. If the first agency cannot take your case, ask whether it can direct you to another HUD-participating provider that offers the service you need.
Is foreclosure counseling free?
Yes. HUD states that “Foreclosure, eviction, and homeless counseling are always free.” That is different from every service an agency might offer: other housing counseling or workshops may charge a reasonable fee. HUD says such fees must be disclosed in advance and waived when a client cannot afford them.
If an agency mentions a charge, ask what service it covers, whether the fee is required before you receive foreclosure counseling, and how to request a waiver. Do not treat a company’s promise to negotiate with your lender as the same thing as free HUD-participating counseling. HUD’s guidance says homeowners do not need to pay a foreclosure-prevention company for help a HUD-approved counselor can provide without charge.
What to do while you arrange counseling
Do not wait for a counselor appointment before taking basic steps with your servicer. HUD advises homeowners to contact the lender as soon as a payment problem appears and to respond to lender notices. The company that services the mortgage is the practical first point of contact about the account and its available loss-mitigation process.
- Contact the mortgage servicer promptly. Use the contact details on your mortgage statement or a notice from the servicer. Explain that you are having, or expect to have, difficulty making payments and ask what options may apply to your account.
- Open and read every notice. Keep letters and other communications from the lender or servicer together. Respond to requests rather than assuming that an application or counseling appointment automatically pauses the process.
- Ask what information the servicer needs. A counselor can help you understand options and organize financial information. Ask the servicer for its current instructions and deadlines for any loss-mitigation request; requirements depend on the account and are not established by a general referral.
- Tell the counselor about deadlines or legal papers. Share any sale date, court document, or other time-sensitive notice when you request help. A counselor can help with housing and mortgage questions, but a legal notice may also call for individualized advice from a qualified attorney.
For the first conversation, it can help to have your mortgage statement and any recent notices available, along with a clear description of what changed and what deadline you are facing. Ask the counselor what financial information to gather for a useful follow-up; do not assume every servicer or program uses the same application checklist.
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A counselor can help you understand the choices and prepare to communicate with the servicer, but neither a counselor nor this article can guarantee a loan modification, grant, delay, or foreclosure-prevention outcome. Whether an option is available depends on your situation and the decision-making program or servicer.
Houston, Harris County, and Texas referral options
The City of Houston Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) website links to HUD counseling agencies and lists 2-1-1 as its urgent-help hotline. HCD’s general contact number is 832-394-6200. Use the counseling-agency link as another route to HUD’s locator; for mortgage-default counseling, still confirm the specific service and current appointment availability with the agency.
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HUD’s Texas resource page identifies additional routes for Harris County residents and links to Texas homeowner-assistance resources. These are supplementary referrals, not a promise that a household qualifies for aid or that applications are open.
| Referral | How to reach it | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| HUD housing counselor locator and referral line | Search HUD’s online locator or call 800-569-4287; TTY 202-708-1455. | Ask for mortgage delinquency/default or foreclosure counseling, confirm service area and capacity, and request a preferred language if needed. |
| City of Houston HCD | Use the department website’s “HUD Counselling Agencies” link; the site lists 2-1-1 for urgent help and 832-394-6200 as its general contact. | Confirm the route to a counselor and the appropriate service for your situation. |
| Harris County Community Housing Resource Center | Call 832-927-4955. | Ask what assistance is available for your need and whether the center can take your case. |
| Harris County 2-1-1 / 2-1-1 Texas | HUD’s Texas page lists 2-1-1, 877-541-7905, and 211texas.org. | Ask for current local housing or homeowner-assistance referrals; verify eligibility and availability with the program. |
| Texas Homeowner Assistance and Homeowner Assistance Fund | Follow the program links from HUD’s Texas foreclosure resources. | Check program status, eligibility rules, application periods, and funding directly with the relevant program. |
Public-assistance programs and counseling serve different purposes. A counselor helps a homeowner understand mortgage options and organize a response; an assistance program has its own eligibility rules, application process, and funding status. Treat a referral as a lead to check, not as an approval or a guarantee that money is available. When comparing referral paths, distinguish a counseling appointment from a possible financial-assistance application or legal representation; each has a different role, eligibility test, and availability.
FHA borrowers: use the FHA-specific contact when relevant
If your mortgage is FHA-insured, HUD’s FHA National Servicing Center directs borrowers to contact their servicer and a local HUD-approved counselor for foreclosure counseling. Its Resource Center number is 1-800-225-5342. This is an FHA-specific route; do not assume it applies to a mortgage that is not FHA-insured. Borrowers with other loan types can still use HUD’s general counselor locator and referral line.
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How to avoid foreclosure-help scams
HUD warns homeowners about foreclosure-recovery scams and says free help is available through a HUD-approved housing counselor. Be cautious if someone:
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- Demands an upfront fee for foreclosure-prevention help or promises a guaranteed result.
- Asks you to sign over the title to your home.
- Pressures you to sign a document you do not understand or discourages you from contacting your servicer.
Verify a counselor through HUD’s locator or referral line rather than relying on a company’s own claims. Read every document before signing, and seek qualified legal advice before signing anything that could transfer ownership or affect your rights. A counselor can explain housing-counseling options, but legal advice about a specific document or case is a separate need.
A practical order of calls
If you are unsure where to begin, use this sequence. It separates immediate mortgage communication from counselor referrals and assistance-program checks, so one route does not get mistaken for another.
- Call the servicer. Report the payment difficulty, ask about loss-mitigation options, and find out what information or response is needed next.
- Contact HUD. Use the locator or call 800-569-4287 (TTY 202-708-1455). Request a HUD-participating agency that specifically handles mortgage delinquency, default resolution, or foreclosure.
- Confirm the appointment details with the agency. Check service area, current capacity, language, format, and any applicable fee before arranging a session.
- Check local and state referrals if they may help. Contact the Harris County resource center or 2-1-1, and verify Texas assistance-program status and eligibility directly.
- Get legal advice promptly if a legal notice or sale date is involved. The referral information here does not establish a universal Texas deadline or determine what will happen in an individual case.
HUD’s 2023 Housing Opportunities Resource Guide contains historical local agency listings; it should not be used as proof that a provider is currently active, accepting cases, or available for a new appointment. For a current referral, use HUD’s live locator and verify details with the agency.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Where can I get free foreclosure help in Houston?
Start with HUD’s housing counselor locator or call 800-569-4287 (TTY 202-708-1455). Ask for a provider offering mortgage delinquency, default resolution, or foreclosure counseling. The City of Houston HCD website also links to HUD counseling agencies. Confirm service area and current capacity directly with the agency.
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How do I find a HUD-approved housing counselor near me?
Use HUD’s online counselor locator or call its referral line and provide your location and preferred language. Ask the referred agency whether it handles foreclosure counseling, serves your ZIP code, and offers an appointment format you can use. A locator result is a referral, not confirmation that an agency has an open appointment.
Is foreclosure counseling really free?
HUD says foreclosure counseling is always free. Other housing counseling or workshops may carry a reasonable fee, but the fee must be disclosed in advance and waived if you cannot afford it. Ask what any charge covers before scheduling or paying.
Can a counselor stop foreclosure or guarantee a loan modification?
No counselor can guarantee a modification or a particular foreclosure outcome. A counselor can help you understand options and organize financial information, while your servicer or the relevant program determines what options apply. Contact the servicer promptly and get individualized legal advice if you have a legal notice or sale date.
What if I have an FHA mortgage?
HUD’s FHA National Servicing Center directs FHA borrowers to their servicer and a local HUD-approved counselor. Its Resource Center number is 1-800-225-5342. For mortgages that are not FHA-insured, use HUD’s general counselor locator or referral line instead.
Does a Texas assistance referral mean I will receive money?
No. HUD’s Texas page links to Texas homeowner-assistance resources and lists local referrals, but eligibility, application periods, and funding must be confirmed with the program. Contact the Harris County Community Housing Resource Center at 832-927-4955 or use 2-1-1 to ask about local referrals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get free foreclosure help in Houston?
Start with HUD’s online housing counselor locator or call 800-569-4287 (TTY 202-708-1455). Ask for mortgage delinquency, default resolution, or foreclosure counseling, and confirm that the agency serves your ZIP code and has capacity. The City of Houston HCD website also links to HUD counseling agencies.
How do I find a HUD-approved housing counselor near me?
Use HUD’s locator or referral line and request a provider serving your area and preferred language. Ask whether the provider handles foreclosure counseling and offers a phone, remote, or in-person appointment that works for you. A listing does not guarantee current appointment availability.
Is foreclosure counseling free?
HUD says foreclosure counseling is always free. Other housing counseling or workshops may charge a reasonable fee, which must be disclosed in advance and waived if you cannot afford it. Ask what any charge covers before you schedule.
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Can a counselor stop foreclosure or guarantee a loan modification?
No. A counselor can help you understand options and organize financial information, but cannot guarantee a modification or a particular outcome. Contact your servicer promptly, and seek individualized legal advice if you have a legal notice or sale date.
Does a Texas assistance referral mean I will receive money?
No. Texas homeowner-assistance programs have their own eligibility rules, application periods, and funding status. Verify those details directly with the program; a referral is not approval.
The Bottom Line
For free foreclosure counseling in Houston, start with HUD’s locator or call 800-569-4287 (TTY: 202-708-1455) and ask specifically for mortgage-default or foreclosure help. Contact your servicer promptly, open its notices, and verify local or Texas assistance options directly. Do not pay a company for a guaranteed rescue or sign documents you do not understand.
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