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Workshops & Education

Whether you are interested in buying a home or are an existing homeowner, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) provides a variety of workshops to empower you to make smart decisions.

Home Buyer Education Webinars

Learn about the home buying process such as the basics of budgeting, improving credit, understanding the closing process and down payment assistance programs. 

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

Saturdays January 21 and 28
9AM - 1PM: Eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions
Register Here

Wednesdays January 4, 11, 18, and 25
6PM - 8PM: Eight-hour course delivered in four 2-hour sessions
Register Here

Wednesdays February 1, 8, 15, 22
6PM - 8PM: Eight-hour course delivered in four 2-hour sessions
Register Here

Saturdays February 4 and 11
9AM - 1PM: Eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions
Register Here

A Home Buyer Education certificate of completion, required to qualify for some
down payment assistance programs, is valid for one year from date of completion.

Financial Fresh Start (Financial Capability)

Our two-hour 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.

Tuesday February 7
6PM - 8PM:
One 2-hour session
Register Here

Foreclosure Prevention Workshop

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.

Thursday February 16
6PM - 7:30PM:
One 90-minute session
Register Here

Meet with a HUD-certified Consultant

An experienced HUD-certified Consultant can meet with you one-on-one to help you prepare for homeownership, reduce your ongoing cost of homeownership, or help you avoid foreclosure.
>> Click button above and select the Service needed:

  • Preparing for homeownership?
    >> Scroll To: Homebuyer Education / Counseling
    >> Select Option: I would like to meet one-on-line with a homeownership counselor…

  • Looking to reduce the cost of homeownership?
    >> Scroll To: Homeowner Education / Counseling
    >> Select Option: I am current on my mortgage , but would like to meet one-on-line with a counselor to review ways to reduce my housing cost…

  • Looking for assistance to avoid foreclosure?
    >> Scroll To: Foreclosure Intervention Education/Counseling
    >> Select Option: I am currently a homeowner and having difficulty paying my mortgage or other expenses that could lead to me losing my home.

Create your account and provide responses to the questions to activate the service.
Once the service is active, you can make an appointment (under the classes and appointments tab).
If you need assistance scheduling an appointment, please call 773-329-4111.

Online Home Buyer Education

Complete home buyer education with eHome, an online home buyer education course. Proceed at your own pace in completing 6 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.

Register Here

Online Foreclosure Education

Free online self-paced foreclosure course covering home retention options, the foreclosure timeline, and resources available to help save your home.

  • Learn foreclosure options and answers
  • Prepare to work with a foreclosure counselor
Register Here

Additional Workshops for Homeowners and Homebuyers

We also offer a variety of other workshops for current and future homeowners, such as estate planning, insurance and taxes.

These are online courses taught by a live instructor via Zoom.
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Purchase Rehab Townhall – Updates and more!

Tuesday, January 24

6 - 7:30pm

Join us for a Townhall on the TIF PR Program – Learn more about program updates and review the active TIF Districts eligible for TIF Purchase Rehab program. The agenda will cover eligibility and program requirements; an overview of the NLS program lending product; and a breakdown of the construction process and timeline. Get your questions answered by the experts- a Q & A session will follow.

Register Here

Financial Self Defense

Thursday, February 2

6 - 7:30pm

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.

Register Here

Financial Literacy for Renters

Thursday, February 23

6 - 7:30pm

This webinar will focus on key information that renters need to financially prepare for a move or budget in order to thrive in their current apartment. It will cover credit, banking basics, renters insurance and more.

Learn How To:

  • Develop a spending plan
  • Reduce our debt
  • Increase your credit score

Register Here

Source of Income Panel

Tuesday, February 28

6 - 7:30pm

Statewide Source of Income protections went into effect 1/1/2023. Join NHS Chicago, CAFHA, and Legal Aid Chicago as we discuss what this change means for renters and landlords in the Chicago area. We will provide context for why the Source of Income protections were passed and how it fits with existing Fair Housing laws.

Register Here

Housing University

No matter where you are on your homeownership journey, Housing U has something for you! Our webinar series is designed with you and your family in mind. Housing U is the perfect option to help you unlock the mystery of the home buying process and navigate the road to sustaining your home while maintaining and growing your finances with confidence.