SERVICE RESOURCES DIRECTORY

The Hispanic Housing Development Corporation is a non-profit organization that develops and manages affordable housing in and around Chicago, focusing primarily on Latino neighborhoods. 

The Housing Authority of Cook County offers assistance for those applying to public housing programs and Housing Choice Voucher Programs within Cook County. The HACC also partners with other organizations to provide additional services such as moving assistance, job training and placement, youth services, and resident counseling and wellness services. 

Housing Opportunities for Women (HOW) provides access to stable and affordable housing for individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. In addition to their permanent supportive housing programs, this organization also operates homeless shelters and provides subsidized housing for disabled individuals. Supportive services also include case management, youth services, and health and wellness services. 

The Illinois Department on Aging both serves and advocates for older citizens and their caregivers. Programs are wide-ranging and include, but are not limited to, assistance with public benefits, food programs, health assistance, home repairs and maintenance, and protection and advocacy. 

The Illinois Department of Veteran’s Affairs assists veterans and their families in navigating the systems of federal, state, and local resources and benefits, including long-term health care, education, mental health services, housing, and employment.

The IHDA is a state agency that connects Illinois residents with certified lenders through their 1stHomeIllinois, Access Forgivable, Access Deferred, and Access Repayable loan programs. The IHDA also provides programs that offer down payment assistance for qualifying households as well as financial literacy classes and pre-purchase counseling for homebuyers. These counseling sessions are free of charge and focus on first-time homebuyers. 

La Casa Norte serves youth and families confronting homelessness. Their programs include permanent, transitional, and emergency housing options, as well as technology training, education support, employment-readiness, case management, therapy, food, clothing, and transportation assistance.

LUCHA is a community housing development organization and HUD-approved housing counseling agency. In addition to their affordable rental properties, LUCHA's services include individual counseling as well as free public workshops and education courses in first-time homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and financial empowerment. These workshops and courses focus on financial decision making, financial stability, and innovative approaches to debt payment and savings.

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.

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 both grants and 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.