HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAMS
Open Communities’ housing counseling services are customized to meet our clients’ needs. Clients meet with housing counselors one-on-one to address issues and find a housing solution. Our housing counselors are trained experts in their service areas. We work with clients in Cook, Lake, and DuPage counties.
We have several housing counseling services. We also offer workshops in these areas for people to learn about the topics. If you wish to complete the Homebuyer Education class online at your own pace, you may use our E-Home America Resource for a fee.
Older Adults Housing
Many people want to age in their homes, and our housing counselors help people over 55 explore their options to deal with accessibility and financial issues, including HECM/Reverse Mortgages. We also educate older landlords and tenants about their rights against age discrimination.
Eviction Prevention/Justice Impacted
In Eviction Prevention, we educate tenants and landlords about eviction prevention strategies. Our staff helps individuals understand their rights and provide support as they manage the eviction prevention process. They also assist with retrieving necessary documents for cases and/or rental assistance applications.
Eviction Prevention also addresses the increased number of evictions for justice-impacted individuals. To do this, our staff works throughout the Cook County suburbs to bridge the gap in resources for these affected communities.
Racial Equity and Housing
The goal of our Racial Equity and Housing program is to address the ways racism permeates the housing system so that Black and Latinx renters can gain economic and social empowerment through housing. We provide a space to acknowledge the racial harm in the housing industry and for effective systems of change. Led by Black and Latinx community leaders, this program lifts Black and Latinx community voices through racial healing, equity training, and collective action.
Rental Counseling for Landlords and Tenants
Rental counseling is valuable for both landlords and tenants.
For landlords, our experts assist with tenant screening and tenant education. We teach both landlords and tenants about their rights and responsibilities regarding fair housing and best rental practices, such as proper maintenance and insurance.
For tenants, we explore if purchasing a home or renting is a better option. We help people understand residential rights and responsibilities, assist in sustaining housing, search for new housing, and prepare for homeownership.
Pre-Purchase
For future landlords and homeowners, we provide one-on-one counseling for first-time buyers. We discuss budgeting, loan options, and navigating the homebuyer process. If you wish to complete the Homebuyer Education class online at your own pace, you may use our E-Home America Resource for a fee. We also review foreclosure prevention, lending abuses, and high-risk loans.
Post-Purchase
In our post-purchase counseling, we assist new homeowners with understanding budgeting and spending plans to maintain financial fitness. Participants receive guidance on foreclosure prevention, lending abuses, and high-risk loans. We also discuss building community and home maintenance and improvements.
HECM Origination Counseling
FHA insures a reverse mortgage known as HECM (Home Equity Conversion Mortgage). Reverse mortgages allow homeowners to convert equity in their homes into income that can be used to pay for home improvements, medical costs, living expenses, or other expenses. The equity that the homeowner builds up over years of making mortgage payments can be paid to the homeowner.
HECM Origination Counseling assists seniors through the process of determining if they are qualified for and obtaining a loan. Counselors cover a number of required topics including eligibility, loan amounts and loan limits, and future repayments. HECM Origination Counselors must be certified, registered within FHA Connection, and are required to maintain education on a bi-annual basis.
HECM Default Counseling
HECM Default Counseling assists seniors who are at risk of defaulting on HECM loans. Although monthly payments on reverse mortgages are not required, there is still a risk of default if the borrower fails to pay real estate taxes, homeowner association fees, or local assessments (e.g., sewer); maintain hazard insurance; or remain in the property as the principal residence.
Foreclosure/Delinquency
If you are a homeowner or landlord facing foreclosure, our team can help prevent foreclosure by providing information on alternative possibilities and organizing negotiations between mortgage servicers and homeowners. We can also help with applying for a loan modification, short sale, and deed-in-lieu. If you missed mortgage payments, or if the loan already has been referred to an attorney for foreclosure, a HUD-approved housing counselor can assess the circumstances, identify options, and discuss a plan with your mortgage company.
Financial Coaching
Our financial coaching educates homeowners, landlords, and tenants about household budgeting and financial planning. Our experts create a plan to consolidate consumer debts and lower the interest rate, assist with general budgeting, discuss student loan repayment options, and help clients better understand and manage the cost of housing. The goal is financial literacy and a good credit score.
Homeless Prevention
We do everything we can to prevent homelessness. This program works with individuals throughout Cook, Lake, and DuPage Counties to stabilize finances and secure new and safe housing. We also educate and advocate with landlords to prevent eviction.
*Note: this service does not currently have a corresponding workshop
