[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 24, Volume 4]

[Revised as of April 1, 2006]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 24CFR904.204]



[Page 337-338]

 

                 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.

    (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



[[Page 338]]



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.