Description:

Provides counseling and mediation for landlords and tenants to find a solution for housing issues. Also offers counseling for older adults ages 55 years or older for accessibility and financial issues. Other housing counseling topics include racial equity, eviction prevention, and financial counseling.

"The Housing Counseling Program provides individual housing counseling and community education with HUD approved housing counselors in the following ways:

Individual Counseling and Education: Our team helps clients create a budget, identify housing goals, and develop action steps to get back to financial stability.

Renter Assistance: Our team can assist renters and landlords understand their rights and responsibilities under the applicable laws as well. Open Communities also provides training to landlord and tenants to help promote long-term stability. We assist renters plan for their financial hardships and attain financial stability.

Homebuyer Programs: Open Communities pre-purchase program provides support with lenders, first-time homebuyer grants, and an overview of the homebuying process. The Pre-Purchase Education teaches potential homeowners how to prepare to buy a home, about the entire homebuying process, and how to prepare for homeownership. This education also gives participants access to certain down payment assistance programs. The post-purchase program reviews loans, property taxes, spending plans, and repairs.

Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling: Our team works with clients to develop a budget and action plan to prevent foreclosure and will work with lenders or loan servicers to pursue the best options for our clients who are concerned about paying their mortgage, property taxes, or HOA dues.

Referral network: Open Communities has a large network of referral partners to support a continuum of care for clients that need services that we do not currently provide.
"

Eligibility:

Open to all

Languages:

Spanish
French
American Sign Language

Program Fees:

No fee

Intake Process:

Call for an appointment

Documents Required
- Picture ID
- Taxes
- Utility Bill dated within 30 days (at least one of the following: Comed, Nicor, Peoples Gas, Water/Sewer/Garbage)
- Lease or mortgage
- Pay stubs (2 Months of Current)
- Bank Statements (2 most recent months for checking and/or savings accounts, all numbered pages on bank letterhead (even if blank))!€¯
- Bankruptcy documents
- Proof of Income!€¯(from all sources of income)
- Award letter from Social Security and/or the Veteran!€™s Administration
- Unemployment Benefits determination letter
- Profit & Loss statements (if self-employed or 10099-Contractor), etc.!€¯
- Credit Report. You can get a free credit report from Credit Karma!€¯or annualcreditreport.com. Please make sure to send us a complete copy of your credit report, not just the score.!€¯ If you have trouble getting this report, let us know and the housing counselor can work with you during the appointment to pull the report.

Handicap Accessible?

Yes

Wishlist:

IT Professionals

Volunteer Opportunities:

1. Report Volunteers: Volunteers work with Housing Counselors to assemble and report data to funders.

Contact information for Volunteer Opportunities:
Jasemen Hatcher at jasemen@open-communities.org

Date of Official Change:

January 2, 2024

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