If you are trying to leave abuse, stay safe, or find stable housing, this HUD resource can matter a lot. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains a Housing Financing & Counseling partner resource, which points people toward housing finance and counseling support. For survivors of domestic violence, that kind of support can be an important bridge to safer housing, rental stability, mortgage help, and trusted guidance.

HUD has a public partner resource page for Housing Financing & Counseling. This is not a crisis alert or emergency announcement; it is a resource listing that connects people with housing-related support and counseling pathways.

Because the published date is unknown, the safest way to understand it is as an ongoing HUD resource rather than a time-sensitive policy change.

Domestic violence often affects housing in immediate and long-term ways:

• You may need to leave quickly and find a new place to stay.
• You may be worried about rent, deposits, credit, or past financial abuse.
• You may need help understanding mortgage options, foreclosure concerns, or housing counseling.
• You may be trying to keep your address private or avoid being tracked.
• You may need a calm, trusted person to help you sort through options.

HUD housing counseling resources can help with things like:

• understanding rental or homeownership options
• budgeting after abuse-related financial loss
• foreclosure prevention or mortgage counseling
• credit and debt-related housing barriers
• referrals to local housing assistance

For survivors, this can mean less time navigating systems alone and more support from trained housing counselors.

This resource may be helpful for:

• survivors looking for emergency or long-term housing
• people leaving an abusive partner who controls money or housing
• survivors facing eviction, foreclosure, or housing instability
• people with limited income who need counseling before renting or buying
• advocates, case managers, and family members helping someone find safe housing

It may also help people who are not ready to leave yet but want to quietly prepare.

A housing counselor may be able to help you:

• review your housing options without pressure
• understand what documents you may need
• plan for rent, deposits, utilities, and moving costs
• talk through credit issues or financial abuse
• connect with local programs or referrals
• prepare for a safer housing transition

If you are a survivor, you do not need to have everything figured out before asking for help.

If you feel able, look for HUD-approved housing counseling through HUD’s housing counseling network or local partner organizations. Ask whether they can help with:

• rental housing search
• emergency relocation planning
• foreclosure or mortgage concerns
• budgeting after abuse
• referrals to domestic violence services

You can say:

• “I am dealing with domestic violence and need confidential housing help.”
• “Please do not leave voicemail messages if that is not safe.”
• “I need help with housing options and safety planning.”
• “I may need to keep my location private.”

You do not have to share more than you want to share.

If it is safe to do so:

• use a device your abuser cannot access
• clear browser history or use private browsing
• avoid saving passwords on shared devices
• consider a new email address for housing applications
• ask counselors how they handle confidentiality

Helpful documents may include:

• ID
• proof of income
• lease or mortgage papers
• utility bills
• court orders, if any
• records of housing or financial abuse

If collecting documents could put you at risk, do not force it. Safety comes first.

Housing counseling is often most effective when paired with domestic violence advocacy. A DV advocate may help with:

• safety planning
• emergency shelter or transitional housing
• legal options
• protective orders
• benefits and financial assistance

If you are in immediate danger, call emergency services now.

If you are in the U.S. and need domestic violence support:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
• Text: START to 88788
• Chat: thehotline.org

For housing help:

• look for HUD-approved housing counselors
• contact local domestic violence shelters or advocacy programs
• ask a community legal aid office about housing rights
• contact 211 in many U.S. areas for local housing and crisis resources

If you are outside the U.S., a local domestic violence organization, women’s shelter, or legal aid service may be able to connect you with housing counseling or emergency support.

• If your abuser monitors your phone, email, or internet use, be careful about searches and calls.
• If you think someone may check your mail, ask about safe contact methods.
• If you are planning to leave, a DV advocate can help you think through timing and transportation.
• If housing counseling feels overwhelming, it is okay to take one small step at a time.
• You deserve help even if your situation is complicated, recent, or uncertain.

This HUD page is a resource listing, not a detailed policy notice. The source page does not clearly show a publication date or a specific program change, so the exact current services available through each partner may vary by location.

That means:

• availability may differ by state or county
• some counselors may focus more on homeownership or mortgage issues than emergency shelter
• you may need a domestic violence agency for immediate safety needs
• you may need to ask directly whether a counselor can support survivors confidentially

If one office cannot help, ask for a referral. You are allowed to keep asking until you find the right support.

HUD’s Housing Financing & Counseling resource can be a useful starting point for survivors who need help with housing stability, financial recovery, or planning a safer move. It is not a substitute for emergency protection, but it may connect you to trained housing counselors who can help you take the next step with more support and less pressure.

If you want, start with one sentence: “I need safe housing help because of domestic violence.”