SERVICE RESOURCES DIRECTORY

Offers legal services as part of the University of Chicago's law school.

Marquette Bank offers free public seminars on financial education that address personal finance, homebuyer education, retirement planning, identity theft, estate planning, and college saving plans. Marquette Bank also offers its Affordable Housing Foundation Grant for first-time homebuyers to assist with down payments and closing costs. The 1st Home Illinois Program and Downpayment Plus Program are offered through Marquette Bank and provide financial assistance for down payments and closing costs. 

Throughout their eight community centers, Metropolitan Family Services offers free in-person debt and financial counseling as well as job training and placement services. Their Legal Aid Society provides free and low-cost legal representation and assistance to income-qualifying residents.

NHS is a non-profit mortgage lender that offers financial assistance to new homebuyers and homeowners for the purchasing, refinancing, or rehabbing of a home. Programs include grants as well as down payment and/or closing cost assistance.

NHS also offers affordable, fixed-rate home improvement loans through their Neighborhood Lending Services. Approved projects will be assigned an NHS Construction Specialist to help guide residents through the construction process.

The North Chicago Housing Authority offers assistance to low- and moderate-income families who are seeking affordable housing opportunities. Programs include public housing buildings and Housing Choice Vouchers. 

This national nonprofit uses volunteer power to provide free home repairs, modifications, and improvements for income-qualifying homeowners. Interested homeowners must submit applications during select times of the year and project focus areas within Chicago change each year. National Rebuilding Day focuses on home repairs, Give Back Day brings community partners together to repair and improve schools, community centers, and other non-profit and community facilities, and Safe at Home provides minor home repairs and modifications for older adults. 

The Kroc Center is one of the largest community centers in Illinois, with aquatics facilities, sports leagues, an Academy of the Arts, family life and education programming, an inter-generational church, and senior programming. The Kroc Senior Center organizes classes and social activities, field trips, workshops, and special events for older adults. Seniors meet at the Kroc Center on the 3rd Thursday of each month to discuss relevant topics and share information about resources, benefits, and events going on. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has compiled this national registry of information regarding housing programs for senior citizens. Guides for senior housing include information on housing loans, public housing options, reverse mortgages, and housing counseling. Information for each program can be narrowed down by state and zip code by online users. 

The Spanish Coalition for Housing provides counseling, education, and housing resources for Latino and other low-to-moderate income families in the Chicagoland area. Trained bilingual counselors offer free-of-charge foreclosure prevention services, as well as homebuyer education, financial education, and energy assistance. Services take place at multiple locations throughout Chicago. The Coalition can also connect individuals with other programs and agencies, including the Illinois Hardest Hit Program and the Chicago Housing Authority.  

This national home repair program provides loans to low income homeowners for repairs and/or modifications to improve the safety and utility of their homes. This program also provides grants to low income seniors to remove health and safety hazards from their residences. Homes must be located in a designated rural area to be eligible for assistance.