D
avid Berenbaum, deputy assistant secretary for housing counseling at HUD, emphasizes the importance of housing counseling and the role of real estate professionals. He describes it as a "golden ticket" that can help individuals navigate mortgage programs, down-payment assistance options, and special mortgage programs to achieve their homeownership goals.

    Berenbaum notes that counselors and Realtors play a critical role in supporting housing affordability and fairness. As a former CEO of the Homeownership Preservation Foundation, he has firsthand experience helping millions of Americans stay in their homes during difficult economic times.

    Regarding the NAR settlement, HUD has not taken an official position on its implications. However, Berenbaum acknowledges that it could make a difference for low- to moderate-income consumers who may need to pay for broker representation. He also questions whether down-payment assistance programs should cover professional fees.

    Berenbaum stresses the importance of having licensed real estate professionals, as they can provide valuable guidance and connections to other partners in the homebuying process. He believes that embracing diversity is not only a legal requirement but also good business sense, citing HUD's efforts to offer interpreters in 300 languages for its housing counseling services.

    In his role, Berenbaum focuses on helping people become homeowners, stay homeowners, and access resources that can support them. He encourages consumers to seek out responsible information online and work with professionals who are knowledgeable about their needs and respectful of their circumstances.