Housing counselors throughout the country can provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, and credit issues. This list will show you several approved agencies in your area. The counseling agencies on this list are approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and they can offer independent advice, often at little or no cost to you. There is also a list of nationwide HUD-approved counseling agencies .