Updated March 7, 2013
ADOPTER SPOTLIGHT
AFFORDABLE HOUSING ALLIANCE
"The Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) adopted the National Industry Standards because we believe in delivering high quality housing counseling and education services that increase opportunity and access for residents in relation to their housing needs. Our aim is to increase housing sustainability, thereby creating stronger communities. AHA knows that the adoption of the National Industry Standards conveys this message to residents and indicates that we are a credible organization they can trust."
Stefanie Wynne
Assistant Director of Housing Outreach Services
Affrodable Housing Alliance
To learn more about Affordable Housing Alliance, visit them at www.housingall.com
If you are an Adopter of the National Industry Standards and would like to be spotlighted on this page, send us an email!
HUD ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICE OF HOUSING COUNSELING
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Report and Consumer Protection act ("Dodd-Frank Act") is a federal statute that was singed into law in 2010. The Act was passed as a response to the recent financial crisis and implements comprehensive and expansive financial regulatory reform.
Under the Dodd-Frank Act, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is mandated to establish the Office of Housing Counseling (OHC). As such, in September 2012, HUD soft launched the OHC, selecting managers and staff for the new office.
The OHC, a separate entity within HUD, will manage counseling activities previously administered through the Office of Single Family Program Development and is divided into areas such as the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary, Office of Outreach and Capacity Building and Office of Oversight and Accountability.
For more information about the development and implementation of the HUD Office of Housing Counseling, please visit www.hud.gov/housingcounseling
A NEW AND IMPROVED NATIONAL INDUSTRY STANDARDS WEBSITE!
We're pleased to announce the redesign of the National Industry Standards website! As you browse the new and improved site, you'll notice some exciting changes including the addition of this page which will, among other things, highlight updates to the National Industry Standards, upcoming training opportunities and spotlight current Adopters. We'll be updating the content on this page frequently so check back again soon!
WHAT'S NEW
If your organization has already adopted the National Industry Standards, you'll notice, upon logging in to your profile, that we've enhanced and streamlined the website so you can easily:
• Adopt additional sets of Standards as your counselors receive qualified professional certification
• Complete the National Industry Standards assessment online and receive immediate results
-
• View the adoption status of each set of Standards your organization applies to adopt
• Maintain your approved adopter status by tracking your counselors' certification expiration dates and providing updates as necessary
-
• Add up to three points of contact for your organization's record
-
• Maintain and update your organization's adoption record including contact information
-
• Change your profile password
If you haven’t yet adopted the Standards but are interested in doing so, simply click on the “Sign Up” button on the top right hand corner of this website to get started! Remember, an Executive Director or a representative from your organization who has the authority to adopt standards of practices must sign up on behalf of your organization.
If you have any questions regarding the new website, your existing Adopter profile or how to become an Adopter, please e-mail us via the ”Contact Us” link at the bottom of any page on this website or call 866-472-9477.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN ADOPTER OF THE STANDARDS?
Housing counseling agencies choose to adopt the standards by completing a simple application online and agreeing to implement the Standards guidelines in their daily business activities. The Standards are designed to help homeownership counseling agencies guide staff training and professionalism, provide high quality services, promote sustainable homeownership, and showcase themselves to potential funders and partners. Adopters are listed in the searchable Adopters database so that potential clients or partners find them easily by location or set of Standards adopted.
As an added value, Adopters have access to seal of approval logos, press release templates, a PowerPoint presentation and other free marketing tools to promote their adoption of the Standards. Additionally, Adopters receive a Welcome Kit that includes their certificate of adoption. Hang this certificate in your agency’s lobby to promote your commitment to consistent and reliable services!
If you are an Adopter and have not yet received your Welcome Kit, please e-mail us via the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of any page on this website or call 866-472-9477. Not sure if you’re an adopter? Search for your organization here.
|