In Step 1 of The Guide, you learned the difference between wants vs. needs, how to track your sources of income, and to develop a household budget. Typically, the Housing Action Plan (HAP) comes next in housing counseling. The HAP is person-centered, based on your housing goals discussed with a HUD-certified housing counselor or DDS Housing Coordinator. You will learn what is required to accomplish your goals, options to consider (if applicable), and available community resources to assist you. To improve your affordable housing opportunities in the District of Columbia (D.C.), work with a HUD-certified housing counselor or Housing Coordinator and use your HAP as a roadmap. It will help you achieve your goals with less frustration and time wasted.
Your person-centered HAP will include, but is not limited to, the following:
1) Your housing goals that you can achieve within a measurable timeframe.
2) An assessment of barriers (if any) that can prevent you from achieving your goals.
3) Recommended strategies to remove or circumvent barriers.
4) Tasks assigned to help you achieve your measurable housing goals.
6) Community resources that can help you complete your tasks.
7) Dates for follow-up appointments to discuss your completed tasks, obstacles, workshops, and additional tasks needed to achieve your goals.
For an example of a Housing Action Plan (HAP), see Resource Section, Step 1.