Help for Homeowners and Renters

Regional HOPI is not a direct service provider and cannot counsel homeowners directly.
 

 
 

If you are behind on your mortgage, live in Cook County and have received a foreclosure summons (a notice to appear in court):
• Call 1-877-895-2444 to obtain help in finding a HUD-certified housing counselor to request free housing counseling, legal aid, and mediation services that will help you communicate with your lender and avoid foreclosure when possible.
• You may also visit visit www.cookcountyforeclosurehelp.org
• These services are free. 
 
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If you are behind on your mortgage and have NOT received a foreclosure summons to go to court:
If you are uncertain what to do, contact a housing counselor certified by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. They will help you identify what options are available to you and chart the best course of action. You can also be connected with a counselor through the HOPE hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673). Beware of scams that ask you for money up front or ask you to sign away the deed to your house. Reliable, HUD-certified help is always free.

Click here to see if you are eligible for the federal government’s Making Home Affordable refinancing and loan modification plan.
 
Consult NHS of Chicago's Do-it-Yourself Fix Your Mortgage kit, which provides information on free borrower outreach days, federal assistance programs, necessary documentation, and more.

The office of Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan provides a homeowners’ referral helpline, which offers guidance on avoiding mortgage foreclosures: (866) 544-7151
Click here for mortgage and foreclosure resources from the Attorney General, including information on your rights as a homeowner in foreclosure and a Mortgage Lending Guide.
 
Fannie Mae's Know Your Options website can guide you through your options and help you connect with a housing counselor.
 
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In-person help for borrowers with Chase and Fannie Mae loans
If you have a Chase or EMC loan and are struggling to make payments, you can call the Chase consumer hotline at 866-550-5705 or visit one of three Chicago region Chase Homeownership Centers to discuss your situation face-to-face with loan counselors:
Chicago--North
5813 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago, 773-594-7670
 
Chicago--South
4730 W. 79th St., Chicago, 773-284-5854
 
Chicago--West
1836 N. Broadway St., Melrose Park, 708-450-3702
 
If you have a loan owned by Fannie Mae, you can call the HOPE Hotline at 888-995-HOPE or talk to Fannie Mae counselors in-person at the Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center:

One South Wacker Drive, Suite 15C14
Chicago. IL 60606
Phone: (866) 442-8572 Toll Free
Fax: (866) 442-6238 Toll Free
Email: chicago_mhc@fanniemae.com
 
For information on how to set up an appointment, please click here.
 
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Fraud and Discrimination Resources
Do you believe you were a victim of deceitful or fraudulent lending? Contact state mortgage fraud investigators at 1.800.532.8785 or call the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation at 1.877.793.3470 to file a complaint.
 
See tips from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation on how to recognize and avoid mortgage fraud here. 
 
File a complaint with Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan using this form and send it to the address at the top of the form. 

Do you believe you were a victim of discriminatory lending based on race, gender, national origin, or any other reason? Contact HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at 1-800-669-9777 to file a complaint.

You can find out where to file a complaint against your lender here.
 

Find out how to avoid mortage rescue scams that could cost you thousands of dollars at this HUD/NeighborWorks guide.
 
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Refinancing and Sustainable Mortgage Options
Do you owe more on your mortgage than your property is worth? You may be eligible for a Federal Housing Administration program that will allow you to refinance into an FHA mortgage with a lower principal. Please contact your mortgage servicer to determine eligibility.
 
Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias’ Finally Home Program helps Illinois residents purchase or refinance a home if they have difficulty qualifying for a mortgage. This provides an alternative to predatory loans that can lead to foreclosure.

The ShoreBank Rescue Loan Program allows borrowers to refinance to a fixed rate, 15- or 30-year competitive loan. This product targets borrowers who can afford their loan prior to rate adjustment. ShoreBank keeps loans in their portfolio to maintain direct relationships with borrowers.

Neighborhood Lending Services offers a number of sustainable mortgage and refinancing products to low- and moderate-income lenders.
 
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Legal Assistance
You may wish to contact a lawyer to discuss your options:
 

Free or Low-cost

CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline at (312) 738-9200 for legal advice and referral to legal aid
 
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago at (312) 341-1070
 
Chicago Volunteer Legal Services at (312) 332-1624
 
Chicago Legal Clinic at (773) 731-1762
 
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers legal information about a variety of mortgage problems for homeowners and renters whose buildings are in foreclosure. 

 
 
Private Bar 
The Chicago Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service (312/554-2001- if you want to hire a lawyer, lawyers are available to talk with you for a small fee)
 
The Illinois State Bar Lawyer Finder (800/922-8757 – if you want to hire a lawyer, lawyers are available to talk with you for a small fee)
 
The National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA) – if you want to hire a lawyer to represent you in case of fraudulent, predatory or abusive business practices.
 
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Resources for Renters

CARPLS Legal Aid Hotline at (312) 738-9200 for legal advice and referral to legal aid 
Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing (312) 347-7600 resources on tenants’ rights, foreclosure help, discrimination, legal aid, and more.
Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (312) 341-1070
Illinois Legal Aid Online offers legal information for renters whose landlords are in foreclosure.
 
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Other Resources
HUD guide to avoiding foreclosure
Freddie Mac advice on avoiding foreclosure
Federal Reserve mortgage foreclosure resources
Illinois Housing Development Authority foreclosure assistance
FDIC foreclosure prevention toolkit
OCC Consumer Advisory on reverse mortgages
Do you need help with employment, taxes, utilities, or some other emergency? Please check this list of service providers compiled by Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago.  
 
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