Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago programs to prevent a foreclosure
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago works to help homeowners who have fallen behind on their mortgage or who are at risk of foreclosure. The nonprofit serves the city of Chicago, Cook County, Kane County, Elgin, and nearby communities. Families can receive free foreclosure counseling, guidance on loan workouts, support with refinancing, and education on state and federal resources. Learn more about Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago programs below as well as their contact information.
Homeowners who are having difficulty paying their mortgage can meet with a HUD-approved counselor from HNS. These counselors review income, total household expenses, hardship reasons, time past due, escrow issues, and any notices from the servicer. They explain loss-mitigation options such as loan modification, repayment plans, partial claims, forbearance extensions, and reinstatement. Counselors also prepare the paperwork required by mortgage servicers, which reduces delays and improves the possibility of an approved workout. While it true that not all homes can be saved, the sooner a homeowner seeks help, the better for them and the greater chance of success that they may have.
Mortgage relief solutions available from Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
Neighborhood Housing Services is the only nonprofit lending partner in Illinois that offers loan options for homeowners who qualify. Through Neighborhood Lending Services, stable and fixed-rate refinance products may be available for some households who need a more affordable mortgage. These products are limited and depend on income, credit, and property conditions of the applicant, but they remain part of the organization’s long-standing approach to preventing avoidable foreclosure.
The agency also offers foreclosure-prevention workshops. These sessions are held throughout the year, including online formats, and explain the entire foreclosure timeline in Illinois. We also have other information listed on the site to help you understand the foreclosure process.
- The workshops review the notices issued by servicers, court stages, redemption periods, mediation procedures, and available resources. They also describe state of Illinois and county programs (whether Cook or another) that may assist homeowners. Workshops help families understand what documents to prepare, how to respond to notices, and what to expect if communication with the servicer has already broken down.
Homeowners in Cook County may also participate in the county’s foreclosure mediation program. This program provides an opportunity for borrowers and lenders to meet with a neutral mediator to explore workout options. Neighborhood Housing Services counselors prepare households for this process and help them submit the necessary documents before the mediation session. Early participation in mediation is often useful for homeowners who have already entered the legal foreclosure process.
Families in the Chicago area who are facing a foreclosure, and who need legal help may be referred to Legal Aid Chicago, which was previously known as the Legal Assistance Foundation. This organization can provide legal representation to qualifying households who are facing foreclosure or who need support, guidance, or defense during the court process. Their main number is 312-341-1070 and they serve Chicago and surrounding communities.
For households who cannot remain in their home, counselors discuss alternatives. Short sales, deed-in-lieu of foreclosure, and traditional home sales may be options for families who have enough equity or who wish to avoid a sheriff’s sale. We also have listed other ways to say in a home. Neighborhood Housing Services explains the consequences of each option, how they affect credit, and what happens after the process is completed. When possible, counselors work with servicers to reach an outcome that causes the least long-term financial harm.
The organization also supports homeowners who regain stability after a delinquency. Coaching on budgeting, savings, and long-term planning remains a core service. As NHS wants to be sure a client is in a good place to avoid a future hardship. Homeowners may receive referrals to programs that help with property taxes, utilities, or home repairs if these costs contributed to the delinquency. These supports help families stay current on their mortgage long after the crisis has been resolved.
Grants, repairs, and other NHS programs that support homeowners
While the focus is on helping people who are facing a foreclosure, NHS now does more than counseling and loan products. Several programs are designed to help homeowners deal with the costs that often push a family toward delinquency in the first place. Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago manages or has managed home-repair grants, home-improvement assistance, and targeted repair programs, often in partnership with the Illinois Housing Development Authority and the City of Chicago.
NHS also maintains a homeowner-resources section that points to City of Chicago roof and porch repair grants, guidance on property-tax exemptions, home-energy help, and utility-bill assistance through partners such as the Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County. These resources are cataloged at https://nhschicago.org/resources/ and link to city and partner programs like the roof and porch Home Repair Program and property-tax exemption pamphlets. Helping a homeowner secure repairs, reduce property-tax bills, or lower utility costs can make it much easier to stay current on a modified mortgage.
Contact information
The agency maintains multiple offices across Chicago and nearby suburbs. Homeowners who want help, who are behind on payments, or who have received a foreclosure notice can contact Neighborhood Housing Services at 773-329-4010 or (773) 329-4111. The main address is 2950 W Chicago Ave, Chicago, IL 60622. Assistance begins with a counseling appointment, during which families learn what paperwork to bring, how to communicate with their servicer, and what next steps will strengthen their chances of stabilizing their housing situation.
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