Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for something specific? We've compiled answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Maybe you'll find what you need right here.
Homebuying
Answer: Helping people become homeowners is one of the most important things HUD does. Here are some suggestions:
- Start by reading our "homebuyer's kit"- particularly the part about the federal mortgage programs that can help people buy homes. HUD's FHA has many mortgage insurance programs that can help first-time homebuyers. Also, be sure to read about buying a HUD home - they can be very good deals!
- Contact one of the HUD-approved housing counseling agencies. They can help you sort through your options.
- Call your local office of housing and community development or your mayor's office to see if there are any local homebuying programs that could help you.
Answer: You'll need to talk to a HUD-approved lender and ask them about FHA mortgages.
Contact our FHA Resource Center at answers@hud.gov or by phone at 1-800-CALLFHA for information about FHA mortgages.
Contact a housing counseling agency to see if there are any other other financing options that might work for you.
Answer: There are HUD-approved housing counseling agencies that can help you decide whether buying a home is right for you. Contact one in your area.
Answer: There are many different kinds of mortgages available, and qualification requirements vary. The best thing for you to do is shop around - talk to two or three local lenders to find out what kinds of mortgages they have available that could fit your situation. There are a number of mortgage calculators online that can give you some idea about your ability to qualify for a mortgage. HUD offers a good calculator, in our "homebuyers kit." You also might want to contact a housing counseling agency. They may be able to direct you to the kinds of mortgage programs that might fit your needs.
Answer: There are many different kinds of mortgages available, and qualification requirements vary. The best thing for you to do is shop around - talk to two or three local lenders to find out what kinds of mortgages they have available that could fit your situation. There are a number of mortgage calculators online that can give you some idea about your ability to qualify for a mortgage. HUD offers a good calculator, in our "homebuyers kit." You also might want to contact a housing counseling agency. They may be able to direct you to the kinds of mortgage programs that might fit your needs.
Answer: There are many different kinds of mortgages available, and qualification requirements vary. The best thing for you to do is shop around - talk to two or three local lenders to find out what kinds of mortgages they have available that could fit your situation. There are a number of mortgage calculators online that can give you some idea about your ability to qualify for a mortgage. HUD offers a good calculator, in our "homebuyers kit." You also might want to contact a housing counseling agency. They may be able to direct you to the kinds of mortgage programs that might fit your needs.
Answer: There are many different kinds of mortgages available, and qualification requirements vary. The best thing for you to do is shop around - talk to two or three local lenders to find out what kinds of mortgages they have available that could fit your situation. There are a number of mortgage calculators online that can give you some idea about your ability to qualify for a mortgage. HUD offers a good calculator, in our "homebuyers kit." You also might want to contact a housing counseling agency. They may be able to direct you to the kinds of mortgage programs that might fit your needs.
Homeowning
Answer: We have lots of information about living choices for senior citizens. HUD-approved housing counseling agencies can help you think through your options. Contact one near you.
Answer: We have lots of information about reverse mortgages - including information on how to avoid scams. If you decide you want to pursue a reverse mortgage, we have a list of approved lenders who can help you.
Answer: Read our home improvements section. You'll find out about the federal programs that are available, as well as some tips on making home improvements.
Answer: If you currently have an FHA-insured loan, you may be eligible for an FHA streamline refinance. The word "streamline" refers to the amount of documentation and underwriting that needs to be performed by the lender. Depending on the lender, there may be other advantages. Find out more about the requirements of streamline refinancing.
Answer: We offer information about topics like air pollution, flood insurance and aquifers, lead paint hazards, and ways to make your home a "healthy home"
HUD Homes
Answer: Read our section on how to buy a HUD home. Then look at the listings of HUD homes available. If you find a home that interests you, you'll need to contact a HUD-approved real estate broker (most brokers are HUD-approved), who can submit a bid for you. Successful bids are posted right on the page for your state.
For more information, you may also contact our FHA Resource Center by email at answers@hud.gov or by phone at (800) CALLFHA.
Answer: You can see lists of HUD homes for sale right on our web page. In addition, we link to listings of homes being sold by other federal agencies. You can even get directions to the properties that interest you, see their locations on a map, and find out what schools are in the area.
Answer: No. HUD does not buy homes. The homes that HUD sells come into HUD's possession as a result of defaults on FHA (HUD) insured mortgages.
Read our section on selling your home. It offers basic information that is good to know when selling your home.
Answer: Teacher Next Door and Officer Next Door have been combined into Good Neighbor Next Door.
Answer: We have a section just for real estate brokers. There, you can find out about the requirements for certification, how to get listings, and more.
More information about HUD homes.
Multifamily properties for sale are listed on our website. You also can subscribe to our mailing list.
Renting
- Visit the “Rental Help” page for your state for information about HUD-subsidized apartments and links to your local public housing authority.
- Contact one of the housing counseling agencies listed on that page. They can help you sort through your options.
Answer: HUD doesn't actually own rental housing. We do provide funding to support several rental assistance programs.
Answer: To apply for public housing or Housing Choice (Section 8) vouchers, you will need to visit your local public housing authority. Many have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one public housing authority.
Answer: Yes, that is possible. But you'll need to contact both your current and your future public housing authority to work out the details.
Answer: Your public housing authority should have a list of landlords who are willing to take Housing Choice vouchers.
Answer: You'll need to contact your local public housing agency to find out how to rent to Section 8 tenants in your area
Answer: Yes. In rural communities, the Department of Agriculture provides rental assistance programs, home improvement and repair loans and grants, and self-help housing loans to low income individuals and families. To apply, visit the Rural Housing Service website or contact your local Rural Development office (check the Federal Government section of your telephone book).
Answer: We have lots of information about living choices for senior citizens. HUD-approved housing counseling housing counseling agencies can help you think through your options. Contact one near you.
Answer: Read about housing choices for people with disabilities, including information on subsidized apartments and independent living centers. You also may want to contact one of the HUD-approved housing counseling agencies in your area.
Relocation, Foreclosure, Eviction
Answer: You do have rights when a public agency acquires, rehabilitates, or demolishes your property, whether it's a private home, business, farm, or nonprofit organization. We have information about the process, how the amount of the offer to you will be determined, and what you can do if you don't want to accept the offer.
Answer: Contact one of the HUD-approved housing counseling agencies near you. Or you can call the Housing Counseling Hotline at (800) 569-4287. Also, read our tips on avoiding foreclosure.
Answer: Contact our National Servicing Center for assistance. You may call the Center toll-free at (888) 297-8685, or email them at mhsg-lossmit@hud.gov.
Answer: You should contact a local legal assistance provider for advice. You should be able to find legal resources in your local phone directory.
More information about foreclosure.
About FHA
Answer: You'll need to talk to a HUD-approved lender and ask them about FHA mortgages.
Contact our FHA Resource Center at answers@hud.gov or by phone at 1-800-CALLFHA for information about FHA mortgages.
Contact a housing counseling agency to see if there are any other financing options that might work for you.
Answer: Check our list. If your name appears, call (800) 697-6967 for more information. You should provide your FHA case number, if you know it.
Answer: HUD has stepped up its efforts to locate homeowners who are owned FHA refunds. This will save people the "finders fees" normally collected by third party tracers.
Other "tracer" companies are legal. But they do not represent HUD, and they will charge you a fee. You do not have to use a tracer to get your refund, if you are owed one.
More information about FHA refunds.
Homeless
Answer: We have information for people who are homeless about shelter, food, health care, jobs, and other benefits.
Answer: You can tell your friend about the resources for people who are homeless listed on HUD's website. And while you're there, you may want to explore some of the other ways you can help the homeless.
Answer: HUD administers a series of programs that address homelessness in the United States. HUD's Continuum of Care program makes grants to states, local governments and community agencies that allow each of these entities to tailor a program to meet their community's needs. You can read more about HUD's programs to help the homeless on our website.
Fair Housing
Answer: You can file a complaint right online! Or you can call the Housing Discrimination Hotline: 1-800-669-9777.
Answer: Please feel free to use any of the equal housing opportunity icons in your promotional materials.
Communities
Answer: Your community gets HUD dollars through a variety of grants and programs. For specific information on how HUD funds are being used in your state, check out our "e-maps".
Answer: Not directly. But HUD provides funds to local governments for a variety of improvements to communities. Contact your local government to find out how to request street lights for your neighborhood.
Answer: Yes we do! There are many, many opportunities to volunteer to help your community available to you. Some are local organizations. Others are national organizations with local ties. We hope you'll find one that appeals to you and volunteer!
Answer: Your state and local government receive funds from HUD, under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, and one of the things they can do with these funds is remove slums and blight. Contact your state or local governments to start the process.
Answer: Community/homeowner/condo associations are self-governing. These types of communities share amenities such as privately owned streets, pools, parking and utilities that do not demand the oversight of local authorities. To learn more
Consumer Information
Answer: You can file a complaint right online! Or you can call the Housing Discrimination Hotline: (800) 669-9777.
Answer: We offer information about topics like air pollution, flood insurance and aquifers, lead paint hazards, and ways to make your home a "healthy home".
Complaints
Answer: You can file a complaint right online! Or you can call the Housing Discrimination Hotline: (800) 669-9777.
Answer: If you are aware of fraud, waste, and abuse in HUD programs and operations, report it to HUD's Hotline! You can file a complaint online or via phone, fax, or mail.
About HUD
You can read the bio, see the picture, and find out more about the powers of the Secretary of HUD right on our website.
Answer: You can learn a lot about HUD in our "About HUD" section. You can read HUD's history, learn about our programs and organization, and see pictures of some of our staff.
Answer: We have general information about jobs at HUD on our website. You can find listings of HUD's jobs - as well as those available at other Federal agencies - at USA Jobs.
Answer: Please feel free to use any of the equal housing opportunity icons. HUD's official seal is used only by the Department.
Answer: Check our schedule of webcasts. A link will appear at the top of that page approximately 1/2 hour before the broadcast begins, taking you to the video. Archived webcasts are usually available in the video library the day after their initial broadcast. HUD's webcasts are in a "streaming video" format. This means that the files can start playing on your computer as they download from our site. To view these files, you must have a computer capable of playing sound, a connection to the Internet that is at least 28.8Kbs, and the proper video player. Fortunately, we can link you to the free video player. We also have instructions for downloading and installing the software.
Answer: We've run into this problem a few times before, usually because our Locator is not on a standard web port. If you have someone who manages your internet connection, ask them if they allow web traffic on non-standard ports. Usually your IT folks have to open up a connection through your company's firewall for this specific port/address in order for locator to work.