[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 24, Volume 4]
[Revised as of April 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 24CFR904.204]

[Page 343-344]
 
                 TITLE 24--HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
CHAPTER IX--OFFICE OF ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AND INDIAN HOUSING, 
               DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT
 
PART 904_LOW RENT HOUSING HOMEOWNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart C_Homeownership Counseling and Training
 
Sec. 904.204  General requirements and information.

    (a) The counseling and training program shall be designed to meet 
the needs of the homebuyers and be sufficiently flexible to meet new 
needs as they arise. The nature of the program suggests four phases of 
counseling: (1) Pre-occupancy; (2) move-in; (3) post-occupancy; (4) 
assistance to the HBA. While some elements of the program lend 
themselves more to one phase than another, the program areas shall be 
coordinated and interrelated. It is recommended that the entity 
providing these services work closely with the participants and ensure 
that policies established are agreeable to both the LHA and the 
homebuyer.
    (b) The following is a description of major elements of the program 
which experience thus far has shown to be relevant. More detailed 
information is set forth in Appendix I, ``Content Guide for Counseling 
and Training Program.''
    (1) Pre-occupancy phase. The purpose of this phase is to prepare the 
selected families to assume the responsibilities of homeownership, and 
to provide an opportunity for the LHA and each family to reassess the 
family's potential for successful participation in the homeownership 
development.
    (i) An overload of information should be avoided in this phase since 
many of the subjects will be dealt with in greater depth after the 
family is in occupancy, and experience has shown that much of the 
information will be more relevant at that time.

[[Page 344]]

    (ii) This phase should be completed for each family before the 
beginning of its occupancy.
    (2) Move-in phase. During this phase, the counseling and training 
staff should be available to the homebuyers on an individual basis. 
Services may include (i) inspecting the units, interior and exterior, 
with the homebuyers and a representative of the LHA, (ii) testing 
appliances and equipment, (iii) providing information on the moving 
process (packing, trucks, etc.), and (iv) assisting homebuyers in making 
adjustments occasioned by the move, serving as liaison among homebuyers, 
LHA, builder and other agencies, and assisting homebuyers in meeting new 
neighbors.
    (3) Post-occupancy phase. Before this phase begins, a period 
(possibly one month) should elapse to allow homebuyers an opportunity to 
adjust to their new surroundings. This is a time when new questions and 
problems come to light that can be dealt with in further counseling and 
training. This phase should be designed to cover many of the same basic 
subjects as the pre-occupancy phase, both by review and refresher where 
necessary but in much greater depth.
    (4) Assistance to the HBA. The parties responsible for the 
counseling and training program shall be responsible for the formation, 
incorporation, and development of the HBA, including the execution of 
the Recognition Agreement between the LHA and HBA, as provided in 
subpart D of this part.