Housing Counseling Process Evaluation and Design of ... - HUD User

Chapter Eight.
Characteristics of Housing
Counselors
The interviews with intermediaries and SHFAs suggest that a key determinant of the quality of
counseling services is the qualifications and abilities of the counselor. Prior to this study, no
systematic information existed on the education levels, years of experience, or qualifications of
housing counselors industry-wide. This chapter draws upon the counseling agency survey, 9902 data,
grant application data, and intermediary and SHFA interviews to present a profile of the individuals
providing housing counseling services through HUD-approved counseling agencies and a discussion
of staff-related issues facing counseling agencies.
Demographic Profile of Counselors
The counseling agency survey collected information on the race, ethnicity, and gender of housing
counseling staff employed by HUD approved counseling agencies. These staff could include
counselors who do one-on-one counseling or educators who run group workshops; in this chapter, we
use the term “housing counselor” to refer any staff person who provides housing counseling or
education services. Across all agency types, 56 percent of housing counselors are white, 38 percent
are black, two percent are Asian, and four percent are another race or more than one race (Exhibit 8­
1). In addition, about one-quarter of counselors are Hispanic or Latino (Exhibit 8-2) and more than
three-quarters are women (Exhibit 8-3).
Exhibit 8-1. Race of Housing Counselors
Other
Asian, 2% race (s), 4%
Black/African
American,
38%
White, 56%
Source: Abt Associates survey of HUD-approved counseling agencies.
Note: Based on survey responses of 1,032 agencies.
Chapter 8. Characteristics of Housing Counselors 123