Education

We empower future homeowners by helping them make smart decisions during the process.

Education And Counseling

Our HUD-certified Housing Counselors help individuals navigate the entire housing spectrum, from renter resources, to the homebuying process, to home maintenance and financial stability.

For each of the stages in your housing journey, we offer detailed classes and personalized counseling to support you every step of the way.
Sign up for one-on-one counseling sessions by using our NHS Client Portal.

Core Courses

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06/03/2023

In-Person

Homebuyer Education

Our comprehensive course will guide you through the entire homebuying process. We’ll focus on budgeting, improving credit, searching for a home, the closing process and down payment assistance programs.

9AM - 1PM

06/06/2023

Virtual

Financial Literacy

Whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply need to improve your finances, this workshop will prepare you for financial security. Learn how to develop a spending plan, reduce your debt, and increase your credit score.

6PM - 8PM

06/22/2023

Virtual

Foreclosure Prevention

We will help you better understand the foreclosure process by discussing home retention and explaining non-retention options, loan modifications, mediation and available mortgage assistance grant program information.

6PM - 7:30PM

Upcoming Seminars

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05/31/2023

Virtual

Overcoming Barriers to Renting

Join NHS and Teamwork Englewood in discussing a guide to common rental barriers and steps you can take to overcome them. We’ll cover fair housing laws, credit and income requirements, and tips to start your apartment search. We will also learn about Teamwork Englewood’s quality of life initiative and the support they offer to renters in the community.

6PM - 8PM

06/13/2023

Virtual

Owner-Occupant Landlord Training

Navigate the complexities of the rental industry. This three-hour training session will provide the necessary information to ensure you follow all tenant screening, owner and tenant rights and responsibilities, Landlord-Tenant relationships, and fair housing laws and regulations. You’ll also gain insight into the recommended measures to avoid common rental headaches – perfect for newcomers unfamiliar with the rental industry.

6PM - 9PM

All Courses & Seminars

Explore the categories below for a list of courses and seminars that best meet your needs.

Our comprehensive course will guide you through the entire homebuying process. We'll focus on budgeting, improving credit, the closing process and down payment assistance programs.

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

06/03/2023

In-Person

Homebuyer Education

Saturdays June 3 & 10
Eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions. Please note: these sessions are in-person. Create an account in our client portal to register.

9AM - 1PM

Register now

06/07/2023

Virtual

Homebuyer Education

Wednesdays June 7, 14, 21 & 28
Eight-hour course delivered in four 2-hour sessions

6PM - 8PM

Register now

Our financial education workshop helps you prepare for financial security, whether you are planning to purchase a home or simply looking to improve your finances. Learn how to:

Develop a spending plan
Reduce your debt
Increase your credit score

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

06/06/2023

Virtual

Financial Literacy

2-hour session

6PM - 8PM

Register now

Our 90-minute foreclosure prevention education workshop provides insight into the foreclosure process, loan modification options, mediation, forbearance, housing counselor assistance, and mortgage assistance grant programs:

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.

06/22/2023

Virtual

Foreclosure Prevention

One 90-minute session

6PM - 7:30PM

Register now

06/06/2023

Virtual

TIF Purchase Rehab Roundtable

Hear from the experts! The Tax Increment Finance Purchase Rehab (TIFPR) program lenders will host an information session about the eligibility and qualifications needed to obtain a rehab mortgage to purchase a property with TIF PR funding. The TIF PR program is a City of Chicago initiative which uses Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding as a forgivable loan for qualified buyers to purchase and rehab vacant 1-4-unit residential properties within active TIF districts. The TIFPR funds can be used for up to 25% of the total project cost which includes the purchase price plus the rehab cost and closing costs. To complete a TIF PR application you obtain a rehab mortgage pre-approval from a program lender.

6PM - 8PM

Register now

06/01/2023

Virtual

Financial Self Defense

What happens after the mortgage holder passes? Learn tips for Homeowner Savings; Mortgage loan “PITI”, Homeowners Insurance, Property Taxes, Energy Cost, and so much more.

6 - 7:30pm

Register now

06/08/2023

Virtual

Are You Ready to be a Landlord?

This two-part series will highlight key things to know about what it takes to be a landlord, and if that is something you are ready for. Part one will cover an overview of what you need to know about being a landlord and the financing of buying a 2-4 unit building. Part two will cover what it takes to run your business and all of the legal information you need to know.

6PM - 8PM

Register now

06/12/2023

Virtual

The Journey from Renter to Homeowner

Are you ready to make the move to homeowner? Or is homeownership in your five year plan? Realtor Wanda Austin-Wingood will be highlighting the journey through the eyes of her client, as well as offering practical information about what it takes financially to close on your first home. Presented in partnership with Redfin.

6PM - 8PM

Register now

06/13/2023

Virtual

Owner-Occupant Landlord Training

NHS Chicago and CIC are now offering an online Micro-Learning Owner-Occupant Landlord Training course to help you navigate the complexities of the rental industry. This three-hour training session will provide the necessary information to ensure you follow all tenant screening, owner and tenant rights and responsibilities, Landlord-Tenant relationships, and fair housing laws and regulations. You’ll also gain insight into the recommended measures to avoid common rental headaches – perfect for newcomers unfamiliar with the rental industry. This is a requirement or those purchasing 2 or more units through the Tax Increment Financing Purchase Rehab (TIF PR) Program.

6PM - 9PM

Register now

Free 1:1 Sessions

Meet with a HUD-Certified Homeownership Counselor to:

Create a plan to achieve your financial goals
Get personalized advice for all your questions
Prepare for homeownership
Reduce housing costs and learn about available financial assistance
Avoid foreclosure and facilitate communication with your servicer

Sessions are available over the phone, zoom or in person, but slots fill up quickly!

Schedule an Appointment

Online Education at Your Own Pace

Complete Homebuyer Education with eHome, an online education tool. Proceed at your own pace through six modules, which are also available in Spanish. The regular cost of this course is $99, but use the discount code NHSC49 for a significant reduction in price to $50.

eHome also offers a free, self-paced foreclosure prevention course covering home retention options, the foreclosure timeline, and resources available to help save your home.

Register today

Let’s Get Started

Sign up below to receive monthly notifications on courses and seminars being offered.

Have more questions? Email us at homeownership@nhschicago.org or call NHS Client Services at 773.329.4111.

WICKER PARK – MAIN OFFICE

1279 N. Milwaukee, Suite 400
Chicago, IL 60622

WEST HUMBOLDT PARK

3601 W. Chicago Ave
Chicago, IL 60651

CHATHAM

639 E. 87th Street
Chicago, IL 60619

A nonprofit organization established in 1975, NHS is committed to offering Chicago residents affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep their homes. We partner with residents, block clubs, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, the City of Chicago, insurance companies, corporations and foundations so that families can protect and preserve their single biggest investment—their homes. Our mission is creating opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods. Copyright © 2022 Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. All rights reserved.

All loans are offered through Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc. (NLS), a nonprofit Illinois Residential Mortgage licensee (#M00661) and an Equal Opportunity Housing lender.