HomeFree-USA

What HomeFree-USA does

HomeFree-USA is a nonprofit housing counseling intermediary headquartered in Landover, Maryland, founded in 1994 by Marcia and Jim Griffin. Operating under HUD-approved intermediary status, the organization delivers housing counseling, financial education, foreclosure prevention, and credit-readiness services to underserved consumers, with a stated focus on closing the homeownership gap for African Americans and other minority communities. It reaches approximately 6.3 million consumers cumulatively through a network of 50+ affiliate nonprofit partners, 16 HBCU partners, and lender referral channels.

The organization's core product set includes one-on-one housing counseling, group financial education workshops, and structured programs such as the Center for Financial Advancement (HBCU workforce development), the Develop the Developer Academy (minority real estate developer training, supported by Freddie Mac), the HandUp Fund (down payment assistance), the Cummings Scholars program, and the annual Reaching Millions Conference. Its technology layer is largely assembled through partnerships — notably the Experian CreditCenter for client credit monitoring and the Path2Approval program for lender handoff — rather than proprietary platforms. Reported performance metrics include a 96% first-time mortgage approval rate and a 0% foreclosure rate among counseled clients.

HomeFree-USA's revenue model combines a $59 per-client administrative fee, federal HUD grants, and corporate sponsorships from major financial institutions including Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac, and Experian. Distribution occurs through affiliate nonprofits, HBCU partners, lender networks, and the Reaching Millions Conference. The organization has no disclosed financials, and its revenue trajectory depends materially on the renewal cadence of a small set of anchor corporate sponsors and federal grant allocations.

Name

HomeFree-USA

Legal name

HomeFree-USA

Website

https://homefreeusa.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

HomeFree-USA is a HUD-approved nonprofit housing counseling intermediary, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Landover, Maryland, that delivers homeownership counseling, financial education, and credit-readiness services to underserved consumers through 50+ affiliate nonprofits and 16 HBCU partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Housing Counseling Services

NAICS

Other Community Housing Services (624229), Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

State & Local Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) (FSALAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA), Down Payment Assistance (DPA) & Homebuyer Subsidy Programs (FSALAKAE)

Keywords

• Housing counseling services
• Homebuyer education
• Foreclosure prevention
• Affordable housing programs
• Nonprofit financial education

Headquarters

HQ city

Riverdale

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Housing Counseling Services: HomeFree-USA provides housing counseling services, including homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, and financial coaching. The organization charges a $59 administrative fee per person for comprehensive mortgage preparation services including credit counseling, tri-merge credit report, personalized budget, and mortgage-ready package.
2. Grants and Philanthropic Funding: As a nonprofit organization, HomeFree-USA receives grants from government agencies (HUD), corporate sponsors (Wells Fargo, Freddie Mac, Experian), and foundation partners to support their programs including the Center for Financial Advancement, Cummings Scholars Program, and Develop the Developer Academy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

HomeFree-USA is a HUD-approved national housing counseling intermediary that delivers pre-purchase homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention counseling, and mortgage readiness services to individual consumers through a network of 50+ affiliated nonprofit agencies. The organization supplements counseling with workforce development via the Center for Financial Advancement at HBCUs, and supports affordable housing development and financial assistance (HandUp Fund) for underserved communities.

Product overview

HomeFree-USA is a nonprofit housing counseling organization offering a comprehensive suite of programs to advance economic opportunity and homeownership. The core offerings include HUD-approved homeownership counseling services, the Mortgage Approval Program for pre-purchase guidance, and an Affiliate Network of 50+ counseling organizations. The portfolio also includes workforce development through the Center for Financial Advancement® (CFA) at HBCUs, the HandUp Fund for financial assistance, the Develop the Developer℠ Academy for real estate developer training, and the Cummings Scholars Program for student internships. Additional offerings include Affordable Housing Development initiatives, the Homebuyer Certificate Program, the Home Affordability Calculator tool, the Reaching Millions Leadership Conference, Path2Approval partner program, and Experian CreditCenter (via Experian partnership). These programs work together to guide individuals from financial education through homeownership acquisition and sustainability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Center for Financial Advancement®: Workforce development program at HBCUs that develops next-generation leaders in financial services through partnerships with universities and industry leaders.
• HandUp Fund
• Develop the Developer℠ Academy
• Cummings Scholars Program
• Reaching Millions Leadership Conference
• Path2Approval

Products and services

• Homeownership Counseling Pre-purchase and post-purchase homeownership counseling for individual consumers seeking mortgage readiness, financial preparation, and sustainable homeownership. Delivered one-on-one and in workshops via affiliated agencies nationwide.
• Foreclosure Prevention Counseling Counseling for at-risk homeowners facing financial hardship, delinquency, or foreclosure, focused on loss mitigation options and lender engagement.
• Homebuyer Education Certificate Program Structured group education covering budgeting, credit, mortgage processes, and homeownership responsibilities; culminates in a certificate used by partner lenders in mortgage approval decisions.
• Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) Financial capability education and real estate workforce development programs delivered in partnership with HBCUs to prepare students for careers in housing and real estate development.
• Develop the Developer Academy Specialized training academy for HBCU students and young adults covering real estate development fundamentals, project planning, and career pathways.
• Cummings Scholars Program Scholarship and internship program that places selected HBCU students into housing and real estate development career experiences.
• HandUp Fund Targeted financial assistance grants for qualifying homebuyers who have completed HomeFree-USA counseling and need support toward closing costs or down payment.
• Affordable Housing Development Initiatives that support the development, preservation, and financing of affordable housing units in partnership with affiliates, lenders, and developers.
• Affiliate Network Services Intermediary services that onboard, train, support, and oversee a national network of nonprofit housing counseling affiliates delivering HUD-approved counseling under the HomeFree-USA umbrella.
• Path2Approval Partner Program Partner program for mortgage lenders and real estate agents that funnels referred prospects into HomeFree-USA pre-purchase counseling to raise mortgage approval readiness and conversion.
• Reaching Millions Leadership Conference Annual conference convening housing counselors, lenders, Realtors, HBCU partners, and advocates around homeownership, financial education, and community impact.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% of mortgage applicants prepared by HomeFree-USA get approved on the first try; 0% have foreclosed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• ExperiancoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2025Experian partnered with HomeFree-USA to offer the Experian CreditCenter to homebuyers and homeowners, providing free access to credit reports, FICO scores, and financial tools. Experian also created the Experian Credit Academy for the Center for Financial Advancement and sponsors the #IYKYK Pitch Competition with $40,000 prizes.
• City of PhiladelphiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity of Philadelphia collaborated with Wells Fargo and HomeFree-USA on the NeighborhoodLIFT program, providing $5 million for down payment assistance to help approximately 260 first-time homebuyers.
• Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania (ACHOPA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorACHOPA serves as a nonprofit partner in Philadelphia helping homebuyers on their journey to homeownership through the NeighborhoodLIFT program.
• RiseUp FundcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRiseUp Fund serves as a nonprofit partner in Philadelphia helping homebuyers access the NeighborhoodLIFT program and achieve homeownership.
• FICOcoreTechnology or IntegrationFICO provides FICO Score 2 and score simulation tools through the Experian CreditCenter partnership, enabling consumers to access and understand their credit profiles for mortgage readiness.
• Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFACE connected more than 600 aspiring homeowners with Experian CreditCenter through Homeownership Fair and Homebuyer Education classes, demonstrating effective community outreach.
• Morgan State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMorgan State University partners with HomeFree-USA through the Center for Financial Advancement and participates in the Cummings Scholars Program. Architecture students contribute to Poppleton Reimagined housing development initiative.
• Texas Southern UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTexas Southern University was named University of the Year by CFA, achieving 100% scholar engagement in both fall and spring semesters and 100% ambassador participation.
• Stillman CollegesecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerStillman College participates in Igniting Excellence Regional Events with HomeFree-USA and Wells Fargo for financial literacy and leadership development.
• North Carolina A&T State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerNorth Carolina A&T State University hosts Igniting Excellence Regional Events with HomeFree-USA and Wells Fargo for student financial empowerment.
• Bowie State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBowie State University participates in the Cummings Scholars Program and Igniting Excellence Regional Events, pairing students with Maryland nonprofit organizations for summer internships.
• Fort Valley State UniversitysecondaryStrategic or Co-development PartnerFort Valley State University has strong student engagement in CFA program. Barcado Styles named Liaison of the Year for dedication and leadership at the university.
• Fisk UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFisk University students won the #IYKYK Pitch Competition twice (2025 and 2026) with innovative financial literacy campaign ideas. Remilekun Ore named Scholar of the Year.
• North East Housing Initiative (NEHI)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNEHI is a Baltimore nonprofit dedicated to helping families access and sustain homeownership. A CFA Scholar and intern was offered a full-time position with NEHI after graduation.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• NeighborWorks America: National network of 200+ nonprofit housing counseling and community development affiliates; closest structural analogue to HomeFree-USA's HUD intermediary model with an affiliated local delivery network.
• National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC): Umbrella network of HUD-approved credit and housing counseling agencies, very similar in mission, HUD intermediary status, and affiliate-based delivery model to HomeFree-USA.
• GreenPath Financial Wellness: National HUD-approved nonprofit providing housing counseling, credit counseling, and debt management — directly overlapping HomeFree-USA's core homebuyer education and foreclosure-prevention services.
• Money Management International (MMI): Large HUD-approved housing and credit counseling agency with national reach; competes for the same client segments (first-time buyers, at-risk homeowners) as HomeFree-USA.
• Clearpoint Credit Counseling Solutions: National HUD-approved nonprofit housing and credit counseling provider with online and in-person delivery; comparable scale and product mix to HomeFree-USA's counseling platform.
• Springboard Nonprofit Consumer Credit Management: Nonprofit HUD-approved housing counseling and financial education provider; competes with HomeFree-USA in pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure prevention, and financial coaching.

Broad incumbents

• Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC): Major national community development financial institution (CDFI) focused on affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization; comparable to HomeFree-USA's affordable housing development arm (e.g., Poppleton Rising) but at much larger scale.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Large nonprofit addressing affordable homeownership and housing counseling for low-income families; comparable mission and client base, though more focused on housing supply than HomeFree-USA's counseling-led model.
• Freddie Mac Home Possible / Borrower Help: Government-sponsored enterprise offering homebuyer education and counseling programs through approved intermediaries; an existing HomeFree-USA partner and a broader institutional incumbent in the same space.

Emerging players

• City First Enterprises / CDFI coalition: CDFI and community development lenders focused on equitable homeownership and credit access in underserved markets; thematic peer to HomeFree-USA's mission and underserved-segment focus.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/HomeFreeUSA
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/homefree-usa
• Instagraminstagram.com/homefreeusa
• Xx.com/HomeFreeUSA

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about HomeFree-USA