SERVICE RESOURCES DIRECTORY

Mercy Housing is an affordable housing non-profit that participates in the development, preservation, management, and/or financing of affordable housing across the country. Housing services are available for families, seniors, and people with special needs. Each Mercy Housing property has its own qualification criteria as well as its own leasing office and application process

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 low-interest, 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. 

The Northside CDC is a HUD-certified non-profit organization that preserves affordable housing and economic opportunities on the North side of Chicago. The organization provides homeownership counseling in the following areas: first time homeownership, condominium ownership, mortgage readiness, foreclosure prevention, downpayment assistance, financial literacy, and credit counseling. 

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. 

Sarah's Circle is a Chicago nonprofit that serves women who are homeless or in need of a safe space. The Daytime Support Center provides comprehensive drop-in services that include case management, educational programming, and other services that meet basic needs of women. Sarah's Circle also provides interim housing for women who are currently homeless and permanent supportive housing for women who have been chronically homeless. 

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. 

SRHAC is an organization that provides homelessness intervention assistance as well as supportive permanent housing for individuals and interim housing for families.