• HUD Housing Counseling Handbook Appendix 1: HECM Counseling Protocol
  • This appendix is the core standardized guidance for HECM roster counselors, outlining counseling objectives, counselor roles, detailed counseling session guidance, refinancing, default counseling, and required client handouts.
  • HUD Exchange – Appendix 1: HECM Counseling Protocol
• HUD Housing Counseling Handbook 7610.1 (latest revision April 2024)
  • The main handbook specifying program requirements, counseling procedures, and HUD housing counseling policies including for HECM.
  • HUD Housing Counseling Handbook 7610.1
• Mortgagee Letters Related to HECM Counseling
  • Mortgagee Letter 2025-09
    • Eliminates FHA loan eligibility for non-permanent residents while restricting eligibility to only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of three Pacific nations, which will require HECM counselors to verify clients’ immigration status and may reduce their pool of eligible reverse mortgage applicants.
  • Mortgagee Letter 2025-08
    • Rescinds previous FHA appraisal policy changes from 2021-2024 (including borrower-initiated reconsideration of value processes and enhanced fair housing compliance requirements) and restores earlier policies, which may reduce administrative burden for HECM counselors who previously had to navigate the more complex appraisal review and reconsideration procedures when advising reverse mortgage clients.
  • Mortgagee Letter 2024-22
    • Establishes the 2025 HECM Maximum Claim Amount at $1,209,750 (effective January 1, 2025), which will require HUD-Certified Housing Counselors to update their client counseling materials and discussions to reflect the new higher lending limits available for reverse mortgage borrowers.
  • Mortgagee Letter 2024-16
    • Extends the implementation deadline for new appraisal review and reconsideration of value (ROV) standards from the original timeline to October 31, 2024, which will affect HECM counselors as they work with clients on Home Equity Conversion Mortgages that are subject to these updated appraisal processes.
  • Mortgagee Letter 2023-23
    • Updates and streamlines HECM program policies to improve long-term performance by allowing verbal occupancy certifications, modifying servicing requirements, and establishing new incentive fees, which may require HUD-Certified Housing Counselors to update their knowledge of these revised program requirements when advising clients about reverse mortgage options and servicing procedures.
• HUD Housing Counseling Certification Exam Study Guides and Modules
  • Official training and study guides for HECM counselors that support exam preparation and compliance.
• HECM Exam Center
• HUD Housing Handbooks
• Housing Counselor Handbook Transmittals and Updates
  • April 2024:
    • Updated list of OHC’s communication mediums for providing program information through e-mail and Internet postings.

Are we missing something? Send me the information at todd@hecmcoach.com.