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.

Now, when you register and attend Homebuyer Education in April or May, you will be automatically entered to win a pair of suite tickets to the June 21st baseball game on the South Side!

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

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

Saturday May 7 and 14
9AM - 1PM: Eight-hour course delivered in two 4-hour sessions
Register Here

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

Saturdays June 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 May 10
6PM - 8PM:
One 2-hour session
Register Here

Tuesday May 24
6PM - 8PM:
One 2-hour session
Register Here

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

Tuesday June 21
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 May 5
6PM - 7:30PM:
One 90-minute session
Register Here

Thursday May 19
6PM - 7:30PM:
One 90-minute session
Register Here

Thursday June 23
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.

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

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.

Financial Self Defense- Reverse Mortgages

Wednesday May 18

12PM - 1PM

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.

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.

Housing U: Estate Planning - Why its an Important Part of Your Retirement Plan

Thursday May 5

11AM - 12PM

Join NHS Chicago and Pathlights for an insightful and informative discussion of estate planning, advanced directives for healthcare and finance, living wills and more.
This webinar is presented by Pathlights.

Housing U: Tools to Age in Place Successfully

Thursday May 12

11AM - 12PM

Aging in place is a dream most can achieve with forethought and planning. Older adults and caregivers, tune in to learn about simple changes, products, assistance, and healthy habits that can keep an older adult safely in their home. What are the options when that is not possible?
This webinar is presented by Pathlights.

Housing U: Senior Resources – Who can I call for...

Thursday May 19

11AM - 12PM

Join NHS Chicago to find out what programs and services are available to older adults to help you age in plance and how you can find them in your community. A list of valuable resources will be provided to attendees.
This webinar is presented by Pathlights.

Housing U: Home Equity and Refinancing

Thursday May 25

12PM - 1PM

Join 5/3rd Bank and NHS Chicago to learn about Home Equity and Refinancing options.

Housing U: Understanding Property Taxes

Thursday June 9

6PM - 7:30PM

Join NHS Chicago and Attorney Mario Reed to learn: What are property taxes? How often is property examined to make sure the assessment is correct? What factors determine property taxes?

Housing U: Property Tax Appeal Process

Thursday June 16

6PM - 7:30PM

Join NHS Chicago and Attorney Mario Reed to learn how to appeal Cook County property taxes and how long the Cook County property tax appeals process takes?