How to Add a New NOFA as an Activity Type for HUD Billing
Table of Contents
HomeKeeper's HUD Connect allows users to submit 9902 reports directly to HUD's Housing Counseling System (HCS), including Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) specific to each HUD-approved agency. As new funding is announced, HUD adds them to HCS, and they must be added manually in HomeKeeper so that they are available for counselors to select, and reportable in your next 9902. This article reviews this process.
CAUTION: It's critical to check HCS manually to ensure a NOFA is available and eligible to bill for prior to adding it to HomeKeeper.
When you submit 9902 or client data to HUD HCS, HUD confirms that:
- Funding is available for billing and
- Your agency has that funding allocated for that grant
If you've reported an ineligible NOFA in your 9902 or Client submission, that submission will be denied.
Video Tutorial
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the new value in HomeKeeper Settings
From the App Launcher, search for "HomeKeeper App Settings," and select "HomeKeeper Housing Counseling Settings"
Note the values in Acceptable HUD Activity Type. Add the latest year's value using the naming convention.
- For example, to add 2024, add the text in bold: "NOFA 2024-1 COMP; NOFA 2023-1 COMP; NOFA 2022-1 COMP; Activities for All Counseling and Education"
Optional: Remove text for years where the HUD grants have been closed out (so old values can not accidentally be reported to HUD).
WARNING: Do NOT remove the "Activities for All Counseling and Education" value from your Custom Settings. This will prevent you from submitting your 9902.
Step Two: Add the new value to the HUD Activity Type picklist on Group Sessions and Counseling/Education
Add a picklist value for the new year (i.e., "NOFA 2024-1 COMP") to the HUD Activity Type picklist field on both the Group Session and Counseling/Education Objects.
NOTE: See this article for general guidance on Picklists: Editing Choices on Drop-Down Menus (Picklists)
Optional: remove a picklist value for years where HUD grants have been closed out (so old values can not accidentally be reported to HUD).
NOTE: You can mass update the NOFA on your Counseling/Education records for 1-1 Counseling! See the article “Mass Editing with List Views and Reports” for instructions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if the NOFA grant has not yet been announced?
- Choose "Non HUD Funded Activity" for the Activity Type field.
What if I do not receive grants from HUD?
- Use the picklist value "Non HUD Funded Activity" (may be set as default during HomeKeeper setup of Housing Counseling features. Contact support@myhomekeeper.org for help setting up default values).
What do I enter for HUD Comprehensive NOFA?
- Released each year, the format remains the same, and the year changes. For 2023 awards, it would be NOFA 2023-1 COMP
What about the new HUD Homeownership Initiative NOFA?
- Released in 2023, HUD is now accepting these 9902 reports with a new activity type. These get entered as: NOFA 2023-3 HI