The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is issuing this final rule to update HUD's regulations that require participating agencies to provide in-person counseling to clients that prefer this format to reflect advances in technology, align with client engagement preferences, and preserve consumer protections. The final rule amends HUD's regulations to allow housing counseling agencies to use alternative communication methods, including virtual meeting tools, in lieu of providing in-person services. Participating agencies that choose not to provide in-person services are required to refer clients to local providers that provide such services, when requested. After considering public comments received in response to the proposed rule HUD published on October 25, 2023, this final rule adopts the proposed rule without change.