Build a strong base with essential housing counseling principles, client engagement techniques, and regulatory compliance. Perfect for new counselors.
Elevate your expertise with specialized certifications in foreclosure prevention, rental counseling, and financial literacy. For experienced professionals.
Deep dive into niche topics and emerging issues through interactive workshops. Stay current with the latest trends and best practices.
Learning Objectives:
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing
professionals pursuing an emerging level of housing counseling skills for clients.
This course equips new housing counselors with basic tools and techniques for
housing counseling, adhering to code of conduct and ethics, identifying
resources and referral opportunities, case management plans for credit and
financial management; and comprehending fair housing laws. Exam required.
Target Audience:
Prerequisite for CHC Certification: Three to six months of experience as a
Housing Counselor.
Recommended within 6 – 12 months of employment.
Recommended within 6 – 12 months of employment.
Learning Objectives:
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals
pursuing an intermediate level of housing counseling training skills by providing one-on-
one pre-purchase counseling to clients. This course provides the key fundamentals, best
practices, and techniques for working with first-time homebuyers. The training
components will address the core competencies in preparing clients for homeownership,
budgeting and credit management, financing a home, selecting a home, maintaining a
home, sustaining homeownership, and avoiding delinquency and foreclosure. Additional
webinar training & exam required.
Target Audience:
Prerequisite for HCCC Certification: Six months of experience as a Housing Counselor.
Recommended within 18 months of employment.
Learning Objectives:
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals
pursuing an advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key
fundamentals for rental housing programs and resources to clients. This course provides
key components that will address core competencies in preparing clients to search for
rental housing, types of rental housing, fair housing, key provisions in the VA Landlord
Tenant Act, reasonable accommodations/modifications, public housing, tenant based
subsidies, project based subsidies, and rental delinquencies. Additional webinar training &
exam required.
Target Audience:
Prerequisite for HSRCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor.
Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional
references.
Learning Objectives:
This certification program is designed for housing counselors and housing professionals
pursuing an advanced level of housing counseling training skills by providing key
fundamentals for homeless housing programs and resources to clients. This course
provides key components that will address core competencies in the history of
homelessness, overview of a best practice homeless system, outreach and engagement,
coordinated assessment, prevention and diversion, emergency shelter, rapid re-housing,
permanent supportive housing, and the role of transitional housing. Additional webinar
training & exam required.
Target Audience:
Prerequisite for HSHCC Certification: Two years of experience as a Housing Counselor.
Candidate must be a VAHC Certified Housing Counselor and provide two professional
references.
Confirm you meet the foundational criteria, including educational background and professional experience, as outlined by VAHC guidelines.
Successfully complete all required VAHC training courses and workshops, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of housing counseling practices.
Demonstrate your expertise by successfully passing the comprehensive VAHC certification examination, covering all critical knowledge areas.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, receive your official VAHC certification, recognizing your expertise in the field.
Explore our comprehensive training programs designed to enhance your skills and certifications. Browse the schedule below and register for your desired courses.
Date: November 15-17, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
Format: Virtual
Platform: Zoom
Registration Deadline: November 1, 2025
Date: December 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM EST
Format: In-person
Location: Richmond, VA Training Center
Registration Deadline: November 20, 2025
Date: January 10-12, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM EST
Format: Virtual
Platform: Microsoft Teams
Registration Deadline: December 27, 2025
To register, visit our 'Training Schedule' page, select your desired program, and follow the instructions to complete the online registration form. Early registration is recommended as space is limited.
Fees vary depending on the program and certification level. Detailed pricing information for each course is available on its respective course inquiry form. We offer discounts for members of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors.
Cancellations made 14 days prior to the training start date are eligible for a full refund. Cancellations within 7-13 days will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than 7 days before the event or for no-shows.
Certification renewal typically requires completing a certain number of continuing education units (CEUs) within a specified period. Please refer to our 'Certification Renewal Guide' for detailed requirements and available CEU opportunities.
For optimal online training experience, you will need a stable internet connection, a computer or tablet with a webcam and microphone, and a modern web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari). Specific software requirements will be listed on the individual course pages.
Elevating Virginia's communities through expert housing counseling and financial education.
Home
About Us
Become a member
Certifications
Links