Homeowners falling behind on mortgages can tap free HUD-certified housing counselors who work with lenders on modifications, a step experts say must come before options vanish.
Americans squeezed by high housing costs have a no-fee lifeline if they act fast. The Department of Housing and Urban Development urges anyone struggling to make mortgage payments to contact a HUD-certified housing counselor right away, The U.S. Sun reported.
Average monthly mortgage payments topped $2,000 this spring as living expenses climbed. That pressure has left more families at risk of losing their homes, even as the Federal Housing Administration says it is working to stop foreclosure losses.
HUD-certified counselors give free advice on buying, renting, default prevention, and homeownership. In a potential foreclosure, they work directly with the homeowner and talk to the loan provider about modifications or repayment plans, according to guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Homeowners can reach a counselor by calling 1-800-569-4287 or by using the CFPB’s online tool to find a verified agency. The services typically carry no fees.
HUD warns that too many people assume they still have time. On its tips page for avoiding foreclosure, the agency states the risk plainly.
"few people think they will lose their home; they think they have more time."
The FHA, which sits under HUD, says it is “working aggressively to halt and reverse” losses tied to foreclosure. That message comes as families already feel the pinch from elevated payments and higher everyday costs.
One homeowner described giving up a 3.2% mortgage only to watch the monthly bill double, calling it one of the worst money moves of their life. Stories like that land harder when mortgage rates climb and budgets tighten.
Earlier this spring, President Donald Trump launched a $200 billion effort aimed at driving mortgage rates down. For households already behind, the immediate need is still practical help before a sale date is set.
Bankruptcy attorney Casey Yontz, founder of USBankruptcyHelp.com, has spent more than a decade helping Americans navigate foreclosure and repossession. In an exclusive conversation with The U.S. Sun, he stressed speed over shame.
"First, I think the baseline solution that may sound oversimplified is to do something today,"
Yontz said people often freeze when trouble hits.
"When bad things happen, I see a lot of people put their heads in the sand and don’t act until the last minute."
He added that waiting has a direct cost.
"The longer you wait, the more options to fix the problem come off the table,"
His advice after a missed payment is straightforward. Contact the lender directly. Figure out why the payment was missed. Do not ignore lender notices. Do not borrow more money just to catch up. And determine the loan’s status at once, whether a sale date exists or foreclosure has been threatened.
“These things happen. Don’t let embarrassment put you in ostrich mode [with your] head in the sand,” Yontz said. “Is there a sale date, is there a threatened foreclosure? Find out where you are ASAP.”
That urgency matters more when foreclosure filings rise and financial strain spreads through local markets. Counselors and lenders can still work out plans if the homeowner shows up early.
For those who have already let the problem run too long, Yontz said bankruptcy can still intervene. A Chapter 13 filing can stop a foreclosure sale and give the homeowner time to catch up on payments over a structured period.
"Bankruptcy can be an option for those who have let this go for too long."
He pointed to the practical effect: “For example, a Chapter 13 can stop a foreclosure sale and allow a homeowner to catch up on payments over time.” The goal, he said, is still to get ahead of the crisis while choices remain.
"Bottom line, get out in front of the problem early, and you will have many options to resolve missed payments."
Families already under stress also face a second threat once filings climb. Scammers target people desperate to save equity, a pattern documented as foreclosure fraud thrives alongside higher case volume. A verified HUD counselor is a safer first call than an unsolicited “rescue” offer.
Multi-year cost pressure helps explain why more owners are one missed payment from serious trouble. Filings have jumped sharply over six years as rates, taxes, and insurance squeeze household budgets. Free counseling does not erase those costs, but it opens a channel to the lender before the process turns irreversible.
Some states have also tightened rules that once made it easier to lose a home over smaller debts, including steps like raising HOA foreclosure thresholds. Those changes help at the margins. They do not replace early contact with a certified counselor when a mortgage payment is missed.
HUD’s message is consistent: use the free help while it can still matter. The phone line and the CFPB finder tool exist for a reason. Ignoring notices only shortens the runway.
Responsible homeowners who face a rough stretch deserve clear paths to keep a roof they have paid for, not silence from lenders, not delay from pride, and not empty promises from grifters. Call the counselor, face the numbers, and keep the options on the table.