REQUIREMENTS TO USE HUD-CERTIFIED COUNSELORS UNDER HUD PROGRAMS.

SEC. 1445. REQUIREMENTS TO USE HUD-CERTIFIED COUNSELORS UNDER HUD PROGRAMS. Section 106(e) of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 (12 U.S.C. 1701x(e)) is amended—(1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following new paragraph:“(1) Requirement for assistance.—An organization may not receive assistance for counseling activities under subsection (a)(1)(iii), (a)(2), (a)(4), (c), or (d) of this section, or under section 101(e), unless the organization, or the individuals through which the organization provides such counseling, has been certified by the Secretary under this subsection as competent to provide such counseling.”;(2) in paragraph (2)—(A) by inserting “and for certifying organizations” before the period at the end of the first sentence; and(B) in the second sentence by striking “for certification” and inserting “, for certification of an organization, that each individual through which the organization provides counseling shall demonstrate, and, for certification of an individual,”;(3) in paragraph (3), by inserting “organizations and” before “individuals”;(4) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (5); and124 STAT. 2172(5) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new paragraphs:“(3) Requirement under hud programs.—Any homeownership counseling or rental housing counseling (as such terms are defined in subsection (g)(1)) required under, or provided in connection with, any program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development shall be provided only by organizations or counselors certified by the Secretary under this subsection as competent to provide such counseling.“(4) Outreach.—The Secretary shall take such actions as the Secretary considers appropriate to ensure that individuals and organizations providing homeownership or rental housing counseling are aware of the certification requirements and standards of this subsection and of the training and certification programs under subsection (f).”.