By The Associated Press

INDIANAPOLIS — A federal agency has awarded four Indiana groups a combined $141,000 for counseling to help individuals and families avoid foreclosure and make better home-buying and rental choices.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said the grants will directly support the housing counseling services provided by the HUD-approved groups, including helping people assess their readiness for a home purchase and navigating the home-buying process.

HUD-approved housing counseling agencies also help people find affordable rental housing and provide other services, including financial literacy training to individuals and families

HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan said the grants will “ensure that homeowners and renters alike can receive assistance from HUD-approved housing counseling agencies and make smart housing choices."

The Indianapolis-based Indiana Housing & Community Development Authority will get the largest share of the $141,000, about $97,00. The three other grant recipients are in southern Indiana, including the Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corp. in Mitchell, which will get about $17,000, and the city of Bloomington, which is receiving about $10,000.

The Lincoln Hills Development Corp., in Tell City, will receive about $16,000.