Homeownership: Illinois

Homeownership: Illinois
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Getting Started
Fair Housing Rights
Buying a Home
Homeownership Assistance
Avoid Foreclosure
Home Repairs
Prevent and Report Predatory Lending and Other Issues
Resources for Seniors
Other Homeownership Resources

Getting Started

Contact a housing counseling agency
- HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
- They can offer independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, credit issues, reverse mortgages, and other issues.
- Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.
Review the resources in the table below to answer common questions and issues:

If you have questions about: Buying a home or qualifying for a loan Down payment assistance HUD Homes Refinancing Liens HUD-1 settlement statements Other issues with an FHA-insured mortgage	Contact the FHA Resource Center by calling (800) 225-5342 or emailing answers@hud.gov.
Payoff requests	Use the SMART Integrated Portal to make a request and begin the subordination process (see SMART FAQs & Resources).
FHA Single Family Secretary-held Portfolio Subordinate Mortgages and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages	Contact a Secretary-Held Mortgage Servicing Contractor.

Fair Housing Rights

It is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. Learn more.

Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organizations may be able to speak to a housing provider on your behalf; conduct an investigation, including testing, to help determine if you experienced discrimination; and provide you with assistance.
If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint.
Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible.
You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339 (TTY), or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.

Buying a Home

1. Contact a housing counseling agency

HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
They can offer independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, credit issues, reverse mortgages, and other issues.
Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

2. Learn the basics of home buying and homeownership

3. Read more about federal homeownership programs

Program	Description
FHA loans	The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) regulates and insures loans from private lenders. FHA-insured loans have low down payments, low closing costs, and easy credit qualifying. Find an FHA lender FHA mortgage limits
Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program	Home mortgage product specifically designed for American Indian and Alaska Native families, Alaska villages, tribes, or tribally designated housing entities. Native Hawaiians can access homeownership loans through the Section 184A Program.
USDA Single Family Housing Programs	USDA offers qualifying individuals and families the opportunity to purchase or build a new single-family home with no money down, to repair their existing home, or to refinance their current mortgage under certain qualifying circumstances.
VA housing assistance	VA housing assistance can help Veterans, service members, and their surviving spouses to buy a home or refinance a loan, as well as benefits and services to help you build, improve, or keep your current home.
HUD Homes for Sale	When homeowners default on their FHA loan, HUD takes ownership of the property. You can purchase these homes through the HUD HomeStore.
Homes for Sale	Several federal agencies have properties to sell.
Good Neighbor Next Door	Program for teachers and first responders to contribute to community revitalization while becoming homeowners at a discount from the list price of the home.
Government-Sponsored Enterprises (GSEs) Fannie Mae Freddie Mac	GSEs are secondary-market institutions that purchase single-family conventional loans originated in the United States.

Homeownership Assistance

1. Contact a housing counseling agency

HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
They can offer independent advice on buying a home, help connect you with homeownership assistance programs specific to your community and provide you other information.
Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

2. See the table below for information on homeownership programs and other resources

Type of resource	Resources
Federal	HUD's FAQs on Homebuying USDA Single Family Housing Programs and Services Federal Home Loan Bank down payment programs and participating lenders
State of Illinois	Illinois Housing Development Authority - IHDA helps people with homeownership through mortgage loans, repair grants, and foreclosure prevention assistance, as well as supporting multifamily rental housing and community building. Buying a Home IHDA Mortgage IL Housing Search Housing Resources Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity - Housing Assistance Housing Action Illinois - Resources for Homeowners
Local	Local programs: Cook County Land Bank Authority Homebuyer Direct Program City of Chicago, Department of Housing - Programs and services to prospective home buyers and homeowners in the city of Chicago. Chicago Housing Trust – Homeownership opportunities. Community Housing Association of DuPage Community Partners for Affordable Housing (Lake County) Village of Oak Park Housing Programs Talk to an FHA Nonprofit Program Partner about down payment assistance: Chicago Neighborhood Lending Services of Chicago Northside Community Development Corporation Lake County Renew Community Partners Community Partners for Affordable Housing McHenry County Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County Some communities use HUD's HOME Investment Partnership Program to assist first-time home buyers. Find your local HOME program contacts. Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program - Some public housing agencies (PHAs) help HCV recipients purchase a home. Contact your local PHA to find out if they are participating in the HCV homeownership program.

Avoid Foreclosure

Follow these steps if you are at risk of or having trouble with your mortgage payments, default, or foreclosure.

1. Contact your mortgage servicer

Your mortgage servicer is the entity to which you make your monthly mortgage payments.
Contact your servicer to discuss what options, such as forbearance, may be available to you.
If you are unsure who your mortgage servicer is, check your monthly mortgage statement or other communications from your mortgage servicer for their contact information. You may also visit their website.

2. Contact a housing counseling agency

HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost, independent advice on defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, credit issues, reverse mortgages, and other issues.

Housing counselors are trained to assess your financial situation and explain the options available to you.
A HUD-certified housing counselor may be able to help you work with your mortgage servicer, find tax-relief programs, or assist with other relief.
Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

3. Apply for the Homeowner Assistance Fund (HAF)

HAF is a federal assistance program that helps homeowners who have been financially impacted by COVID-19 pay their mortgage or other home expenses.

The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) is open. Apply for ILHAF online. Call 866-454-3571 if you have questions or to connect with an ILHAF program partner. If you previously applied, you can check the status of your ILHAF application online.

4. Explore other foreclosure prevention resources and information

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Coronavirus Resources - Help for homeowners
- Mortgages
HUD
- Guide to avoiding foreclosure
- Homeowner's Guide to Success: What to do if you can't pay your mortgage?
Government-Sponsored Enterprises
- Fannie Mae - Know Your Options
- Freddie Mac – Getting Help
Help with your utility bills
Illinois Attorney General's Office - The "Help for Homeowners" page has information on preventing foreclosure, avoid foreclosure rescue scams, and shopping of a home loan. You may also contact the Attorney General's Homeowner Helpline at (866) 544-7151 to learn more about your options or to report a predatory mortgage lender.
Legal Resources

Home Repairs

1. Contact a housing counseling agency

HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
They can offer independent advice and can help connect you with home repair programs specific to your community.
Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

2. See the table below for information on home repair programs and other resources

Type of resource	Resources
Federal	Learn more about HUD home repair resources and home improvements Fixing Up Your Home and How to Finance It FHA Title I Property Improvement Loan Program - Banks and other qualified lenders make these loans for improvements that will make your home basically more livable and useful. Search for an FHA-approved lender in your area online or call HUD's Customer Service Center toll-free: (800) 767-7468 / TTY: (800) 877-8339. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Centers - Loans and grants to qualifying veterans to adapt existing dwelling to meet specific needs. USDA Rural Development Office - Home improvement loans and grants to low-income homeowners in rural areas. Single Family Housing Repair Loans & Grants
State of Illinois	Illinois Housing Development Authority - Through a network of participating agencies, IHDA helps you to repair your home. Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity Housing Rehabilitation Program Home Weatherization Assistance Program Illinois Affiliates of Habitat for Humanity - Through volunteer labor, builds and rehabilitates houses for families in need.
Local	Some communities in Illinois use HUD funds to provide home improvement assistance to local homeowners. Chicago City of Chicago Home Repair Program Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS)

3. Be aware of best practices for home repairs

Contact your local Better Business Bureau - To review Illinois contractors before starting home repairs.
Always be on the alert for home repair and remodeling scams. Be an informed consumer. If you have been a victim of a scam, you may file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General.

Prevent and Report Predatory Lending and Other Issues

Predatory lending is a term used to describe a wide range of unfair financial practices. There are also a range of frauds and scams that target homebuyers, homeowners, and renters. There are resources to prevent and laws to protect you from these practices.

Learn and Prevent

Contact a housing counseling agency
- HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
- They can offer independent advice and help you make informed decisions about lending products, understand your rights, provide you with consumer protection information and financial education, and locate resources if you fall victim to fraud schemes.
- Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.
Fair Housing Rights - The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), familial status, and disability in housing-related activities. Learn more.
- Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organizations may be able to speak to a housing provider on your behalf; conduct an investigation, including testing, to help determine if you experienced discrimination; and provide you with assistance.
Housing Scams (USA.gov) - Beware of these frauds and scams when buying or foreclosing on a home.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Frauds & Scams - CFPB resources can help you prevent, recognize, and report scams and fraud.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - The FTC works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop and avoid them.
- Loans and Mortgages
- Scams
HUD's Office of Inspector General (OIG) - HUD's OIG's mission is to safeguard HUD's programs from fraud, waste, and abuse and identify opportunities for HUD programs to progress and succeed.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - The FDIC is an independent agency created by Congress to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system.
Stop Home Scams - NeighborWorks® America national public education campaign to alert and empower you to protect your home, access trusted assistance and report illegal activity to the proper authorities in this critical moment.
Illinois Attorney General's Office - The "Help for Homeowners" page has information on preventing foreclosure, avoid foreclosure rescue scams, and shopping of a home loan.
State of Illinois Anti-Predatory Lending Database Program - The purpose of this site is to eliminate predatory lending practices by increasing the borrowers' understanding of the loans they are considering and thereby reduce the number of foreclosures resulting from inappropriate loans.

Report and Submit Complaints

Fair housing complaints
- If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint as soon as possible.
- You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339 (TTY), or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov - Protect your community by reporting fraud, scams, and bad business practices.
CFPB Complaints - Submit a complaint about a financial product or service to CFPB.
HUD’s OIG Hotline - The Hotline is the primary means to submit allegations of fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, or Whistleblower related matters within HUD and HUD Funded programs to the OIG.
FDIC complaint - You can submit inquires or complaints about financial institutions, bank failures, or deposit insurance coverage to open cases with the FDIC for assistance and resolution.
Illinois Attorney General's Homeowner Helpline - Call (866) 544-7151 to learn more about your mortgage options or to report a predatory mortgage lender.
Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation (IDFPR) - IDFPR works to protect the residents of Illinois by regulating banks, financial institutions, the real estate industry, and healthcare and occupational professions.
- File a Complaint with IDFPR

Resources for Seniors

Housing

Contact a housing counseling agency
- HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process.
- They can offer independent advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, forbearances, foreclosures, credit issues, reverse mortgages, and other issues.
- Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.
Housing and Services Resource Center - If you need housing assistance or are looking for services that help people with disabilities or older adults with everyday activities, these programs and resources may be able to help.
- Centers for Independent Living (CIL) - CILs offer a broad range of services to empower people with disabilities to stay in the community. These community-based centers are run by and for people with disabilities. Or call (800) 587-1227.
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers - Gateway to a broad range of services and supports.
- Eldercare Locator - Connect older adults to the resources available where they live. Call (800) 677-1116 or visit the website.
Information for senior citizens (HUD)
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Reverse mortgages loans
- Planning for retirement

Other

Illinois Department on Aging or call the Senior Helpline at (800) 252-8966 or (888) 206-1327 (TTY)
Illinois Attorney General – Advocating for Older Citizens
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – Aging
Social Security Administration
Medicare

Other Homeownership Resources

Home health, safety, disasters, and environmental issues
IL Housing Search Housing Resources
Illinois Housing Development Authority
Legal assistance
Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) - IDHR administers the Illinois Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, financial credit, public accommodations, housing and sexual harassment, as well as sexual harassment in education.