The Homeownership Preservation Initiative (HOPI) is a partnership between the City of Chicago, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, and key lending, investment and servicing institutions doing business in Chicago. The partnership seeks to preserve homeownership whenever possible and keep families in their homes through counseling, loss mitigation and loan modifications. When foreclosure is unavoidable, the partners seek to preserve the vacant properties as neighborhood assets.
Three-Year Goals:
Homeownership Preservation: Help 1,500 homeowners avoid foreclosure. Help 500 homeowners per year avoid foreclosure through loss mitigation efforts, including loan workouts, refinancing, loan modifications, repayment plans and small loans to bring homeowners current on mortgage payments. Property Preservation: Reclaim 300 vacant, foreclosed properties
NHS, through cooperation with lender partners and the Department of Housing, will acquire 100 foreclosed single family buildings per year over three years, rehab them to safe and habitable condition, and sell the homes to low and moderate income families.
311 Homeownership Preservation Campaign
To expand efforts to reach homeowners at risk of foreclosure, the City of Chicago has developed the 311 Homeownership Preservation Campaign. The 311 Campaign will encourage homeowners to call 311 at the first sign of mortgage delinquency. Callers will be connected with one of three credit counseling agencies affiliated with the Credit Counseling Resource Center for a free one-hour counseling session. The counseling agency will:
Provide an in-depth assessment of the homeowner’s financial situation and an individual action plan: Serve as a liaison between the homeowner and the mortgage company, where appropriate, to advocate for a repayment plan, loan modification or other loss mitigation strategy that will help the homeowner avoid foreclosure. Provide referrals to local resources, where appropriate, for job training, tax assistance, emergency grants, and foreclosure prevention classes.
Questions about the Program:
How does the counseling session work? The 311 Operator will connect you with a not-for-profit, accredited housing counselor. The counseling session will take place over the phone and is completely confidential. The counselor will gather information from you about your financial obligations and work through your options for avoiding foreclosure. If appropriate, the counselor will help you contact your mortgage lender and negotiate a repayment plan.
How long does the counseling session take? You should be prepared to spend at least 45 minutes on the phone with the counselor. If you are not able to participate in a counseling session right now, you should call back as soon as you have time available. I’m not in foreclosure now, but I lost my job and am afraid I won’t be able to make my mortgage payment.
Can I participate? Yes! The counselor can help you establish a budget to get through the next few months.
Are there grants available? Depending on your particular financial and family situation, there may be low interest loans or emergency funds available. The only way you can determine the best options available to you is by speaking with a housing counselor.
Is there a cost for this counseling? The counseling is being provided free of charge to callers. The City of Chicago and participating lenders are funding the program.
