Brief: Housing counseling

Prepared from Grant Precedent, 2026-10-23; data as of precedent 2026-10-21, measures 2026-10-22.

Measures funders require

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, HUD Housing Counseling Program

15 of 19 measures shown.

Households that received one-on-one counseling that also received education services.

Code: No. 10a
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 2 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that received information on fair housing, fair lending and/or accessibility rights.

Code: No. 10b
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households for whom counselor developed a budget customized to a client’s current situation.

Code: No. 10c
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that improved their financial capacity (e.g. increased discretionary income, decreased debt load, increased savings, increased credit score, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10d
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that gained access to resources to help improve their housing situation (e.g. down payment assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10e
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that gained access to non-housing resources (e.g. social service programs, legal services, public benefits such as Social Security or Medicaid, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10f
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Homeless or potentially homeless households that obtained temporary or permanent housing after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10g
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households gained access to disaster recovery non-housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. Red Cross/FEMA relief items, legal services, assistance, applying for benefits, etc.).

Code: No. 10h
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households obtained disaster recovery housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. temporary shelter, homeowner rehab, relocation, etc.).

Code: No. 10i
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households for whom counselor developed or updated an emergency preparedness plan.

Code: No. 10j
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Household that received rental counseling and avoided eviction after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10k
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that received rental counseling and improved living conditions after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10l
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that received pre-purchase/homebuying counseling and purchased housing after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10m
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that received reverse mortgage counseling and obtained a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10n
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

Households that received non-delinquency post-purchase counseling that were able to improve home conditions or home affordability after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Code: No. 10o
Requirement: required
Definition: Section 10. Outcome of One-on-One Counseling Services - This section is used to report the outcome of the housing counseling services reported in Section 9. In Section 10, select as many outcomes that apply to the households counseled during the reporting period. The total number of outcomes reported in Section 10 does not need to add up to the totals reported in any other sections of this form, and the Section 10 total may be higher than the totals in other sections based on the outcome and scope of the counseling services provided. It is not expected or required that there be a reportable outcome related to each household reported in Section 9 as receiving housing counseling services. For example, a household may not experience any of the outcomes listed in Section 10 or the household may not respond to follow-up attempts to determine if any of the listed outcomes are applicable. However, for some households there may be multiple outcomes. For example, after receiving housing counseling services, a household may have developed a household budget (10c), gained access to resources to help improve the household’s housing situation (10e), and prevented eviction (10k). In that case, the household should be reported in all three impact categories.
Instrument: Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10
Target rule: No target rule stated
Source: HUD performance measures, 3 (instructions pp. 10-11), https://www.hud.gov/sites/dfiles/OCHCO/documents/9902.pdf

What you can collect, and how

Tier 1 is collected today from your own records. Tier 2 needs one free instrument. Tier 3 needs a partner under a data agreement. A measure that matches no rule has no tier.

Tier 1: Collect today from your own records

Households that received one-on-one counseling that also received education services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that received information on fair housing, fair lending and/or accessibility rights.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households for whom counselor developed a budget customized to a client’s current situation.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that gained access to resources to help improve their housing situation (e.g. down payment assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that gained access to non-housing resources (e.g. social service programs, legal services, public benefits such as Social Security or Medicaid, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households gained access to disaster recovery non-housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. Red Cross/FEMA relief items, legal services, assistance, applying for benefits, etc.).

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households obtained disaster recovery housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. temporary shelter, homeowner rehab, relocation, etc.).

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households for whom counselor developed or updated an emergency preparedness plan.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Household that received rental counseling and avoided eviction after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.
No cleared, validated, free outcome instrument exists for housing stability. The funder's own item (SAMHSA SUPRT-C client form, item A2d), an HMIS exit destination, or a partner record is the substitute.

Households that received rental counseling and improved living conditions after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that received pre-purchase/homebuying counseling and purchased housing after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that received reverse mortgage counseling and obtained a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Households that received non-delinquency post-purchase counseling that were able to improve home conditions or home affordability after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Collect today from your own records. A household count taken from the program’s own records.

Tier 2: Add one free instrument

Households that improved their financial capacity (e.g. increased discretionary income, decreased debt load, increased savings, increased credit score, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

Instrument: CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale, standard (Public domain; 10 scored + 2 scoring-context questions items, about 3-5 minutes). License: “free and publicly available” Form: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/bcfp_fin-well-being_full-scorecard.pdf Also cleared in this domain: CFPB Financial Well-Being Scale, abbreviated, USDA six-item food-security module, USDA Adult Food Security Survey Module.

Tier not determined

Homeless or potentially homeless households that obtained temporary or permanent housing after receiving Housing Counseling Services.

No cleared, validated, free outcome instrument exists for housing stability. The funder's own item (SAMHSA SUPRT-C client form, item A2d), an HMIS exit destination, or a partner record is the substitute.

What grantees achieved

Program-level figures, not individual grantees: Housing Counseling reported 20 results against targets over 5 periods; the median result was 119% of target (middle half 101% to 172%), and 75% met or exceeded the target. Source: OMB PART assessments (ExpectMore.gov archive), https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/expectmore/detail/10002335.2004.html.

Housing Counseling (2006): More than 80 percent of total mortgagors seeking help with resolving or preventing mortgage delinquency, and completed counseling, will successfully avoid foreclosure. (A6.2); promised 50%, actual 92.5% (185% of target); unit: %. Source: https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/sites/default/files/omb/assets/omb/expectmore/detail/10002194.2004.html

Target-setting language with precedent

Each item comes from one funder, one program or one department; none is a government-wide rule.

No target-setting clause from HUD in the library yet; the items below are the nearest precedent.

CDC DP-23-0002 applicant FAQ (2023): Quote: “you may enter a '0' and then TBD for targets in the work plan” — https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/healthyschools/nofo/nofo.htm
EDGAR, 34 CFR 75.110(c) (2024): Paraphrase: An applicant that lacks a baseline explains how and when it will establish one. — https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-08-29/html/2024-17239.htm
USDA FAS Food for Progress FY2025, applicant Q&A, questions 72-73 (2025): Paraphrase: Yearly targets may be written as percentage-point change when the baseline value is not known. — https://apply07.grants.gov/grantsws/rest/opportunity/att/download/348844
Senior Community Service Employment Program, 20 CFR 641.720(b),(d) (current text): Paraphrase: Targets for program years 3 and 4 are negotiated before the third program year and adjusted by DOL's model. — https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-20/chapter-V/part-641/subpart-G/section-641.720
AmeriCorps performance measures, 45 CFR 2522.640(a)(1) (current text): Quote: “Adjust your performance measure or target based on experience” — https://www.govinfo.gov/link/cfr/45/2522?link-type=pdf&sectionnum=630&year=mostrecent
SAMHSA CMHS Infrastructure, Prevention and Promotion Overview Guide, v2.0, p. 9 (2022): Quote: “grantees can revise annual goals in consultation with their GPO during the first quarter of each fiscal year” — https://spars.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/OE%20SPARS%20CMHS%20IPP%20Overview%20Guide.pdf
Promise Neighborhoods guidance document, third edition (2025): Quote: “target setting will be an iterative process throughout implementation as more performance data is available” — https://promiseneighborhoods.ed.gov/pdf/Promise_Neighborhoods_Guidance_Document_508c.pdf
HRSA-26-057 ECCS SEED applicant FAQs, p. 6 (2026): Paraphrase: Baseline estimates are confirmed or updated within six months of award. — https://files.simpler.grants.gov/opportunities/45e009d7-46ed-482f-8aa7-02812f207f71/attachments/54ad1b19-2651-43c7-8ade-76203c7770d7/HRSA-26-057_ECCS_SEED_Applicant_FAQs.pdf
DOL Training and Employment Guidance Letter 10-21 (2022): Quote: “if a grantee wishes to negotiate their performance targets” — https://www.dol.gov/node/165731
NIH PAR-25-383, Section VI (2025): Paraphrase: Future-year milestones may be renegotiated based on prior-year data. — https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-25-383.html
Arizona Rural Health Transformation, approved program narrative, pp. 20-22 (2026): Paraphrase: A baseline assessment is done after award, and targets are set from it. — https://www.azahcccs.gov/AHCCCS/Downloads/Initiatives/RHTP/Arizona%27sApprovedProgramNarrative.pdf
HRSA Health Center Program (H80) patient targets, Primary Health Care Digest (2022): Quote: “confirm or request adjustment to their patient target by the deadline in their email” — https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USHHSHRSA/bulletins/3120df3

What reviewers penalize

These ten weaknesses recur in 17 published reviewer critiques, mostly U.S. Department of Education and NIH. The count is the number of critiques that name it, not a rate, and a reviewer comment is a judgment.

Attrition or missing-data handling left unresolved (named in 7 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “the applicant did not address how missing data will be handled” U.S. Department of Education, Education Innovation and Research (EIR) Mid-Phase, WestEd, S411B220027, 2022, Technical Review Form, pp. 25, 29. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2022/12/S411B220027_WestEd_TRF.pdf#page=29
Comparisons vulnerable to selection, contamination, baseline differences or incompatible data (named in 7 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “may require additional interpretation” National Institutes of Health, NIAID, K01 AI131895 (Rebeiro, Vanderbilt), applicant-authorized summary statement; a research application, pp. 5-6. https://beta.nih.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_media/2026-09/k01-rebeiro-summary-statement.pdf#page=6
Feasibility assumptions or fallback arrangements unsupported (named in 6 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “no alternative analysis plan is provided” National Institutes of Health, NIDCD, R01 DC017174 (Heinemann and Cherney), applicant-authorized summary statement; a research application, pp. 3, 5-6. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2022-03/sanitized-heinemann-cherney-summary-statement-redacted.pdf#page=5
Implementation fidelity, thresholds or mediators inadequately specified (named in 5 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “Mediators are not described.” U.S. Department of Education, EIR Early-Phase, Education Development Center, U411C190275, 2019, Technical Review Form, p. 4. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2019/11/U411C190275-Education-Development-Center-Inc.-TRF-Tier-2.pdf#page=4
Measurement tools insufficiently identified, supported or protected against reporting bias (named in 4 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “no detail is provided” U.S. Department of Education, EIR Mid-Phase, Niswonger Foundation, U411B170038, 2017, Technical Review Form, pp. 4-5. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2016/12/U411B170038_TRF.pdf#page=4
Targets or success criteria missing, inconsistent or disconnected from the project (named in 4 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “lacks a specific number” U.S. Department of Education, EIR Mid-Phase, ASSISTments Foundation, S411B220024, 2022, Technical Review Form, p. 14. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2022/12/S411B220024_ASSISTments-Foundation-Inc_TRF.pdf#page=14
Analysis procedures insufficiently specified for the stated questions or model (named in 4 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “methods of data analysis are not adequately described” National Institutes of Health, NIAID, R01 AI098472 renewal (Gandhi, UCSF), applicant-authorized summary statement; a research application, pp. 4-5. https://beta.nih.gov/sites/default/files/migrated_media/2026-09/2-R01-AI098472-06_Ganhdi_Summary.pdf#page=4
Data protection, management or cross-site coordination incomplete (named in 3 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “The data management plan stops midsentence on page 125” National Institutes of Health, NIDCD, R01 DC017683 (Gifford and Camarata, Vanderbilt), applicant-authorized summary statement; a research application, pp. 9-10. https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/sites/default/files/2022-05/sanitized-giffordcamarataapplicationsummary-dc017683-01a1.pdf#page=10
Feedback collection lacks a specified route into program decisions (named in 2 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “The applicant does not discuss how often the team will review data or implement changes.” U.S. Department of Education, EIR Early-Phase, Orange County Superintendent of Schools, S411C200130, 2020, Technical Review Form, pp. 16, 19. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2020/12/S411C200130-Orange-County-Superintendent-of-Schools-TRF.pdf#page=19
Evaluator independence insufficiently explained (named in 1 of 17 critiques). Reviewers wrote: “The level of independence is not made clear” U.S. Department of Education, EIR Early-Phase, Research Triangle Institute, S411C220065, 2022, Technical Review Form, pp. 24-25. https://www.ed.gov/sites/ed/files/2022/12/S411C220065_Research-Triangle-Institute-_TRF.pdf#page=24

Protocol skeleton

Draft text, edit before use

Measures: Households that received one-on-one counseling that also received education services.; Households that received information on fair housing, fair lending and/or accessibility rights.; Households for whom counselor developed a budget customized to a client’s current situation.; Households that improved their financial capacity (e.g. increased discretionary income, decreased debt load, increased savings, increased credit score, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; Households that gained access to resources to help improve their housing situation (e.g. down payment assistance, rental assistance, utility assistance, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; Households that gained access to non-housing resources (e.g. social service programs, legal services, public benefits such as Social Security or Medicaid, etc.) after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; Homeless or potentially homeless households that obtained temporary or permanent housing after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; Households gained access to disaster recovery non-housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. Red Cross/FEMA relief items, legal services, assistance, applying for benefits, etc.).; Households obtained disaster recovery housing resources after receiving Housing Counseling Services (e.g. temporary shelter, homeowner rehab, relocation, etc.).; Households for whom counselor developed or updated an emergency preparedness plan.; Household that received rental counseling and avoided eviction after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; Households that received rental counseling and improved living conditions after receiving Housing Counseling Services.; and 3 more listed above. Baseline: ____ months from award, using Form HUD-9902 Housing Counseling Activity Report, Section 10. Targets: set from the observed baseline at month ____, or committed now as a change of ____ percentage points from baseline (see the USDA FAS and SCSEP precedents above).

Missing-data plan (how dropout and missing observations will be handled): ____

Comparison group or baseline (what you compare against and how the groups started): ____

Fallback if recruitment, data access or the first analysis falls short: ____

Fidelity threshold (what counts as full implementation, and how it is measured): ____

Instrument named, with its validity evidence and its rights (license) status: ____

Numeric target for each measure (a number, not a direction): ____

Analysis for each outcome (method, comparison, adjustment): ____

Data protection and data management (who holds identifiable data, where, for how long): ____

Feedback schedule (who reviews the data, how often, and what changes as a result): ____

Evaluator role and independence (who evaluates and how they are separate from delivery): ____

The text is copied or summarized from public documents. It is not legal advice.