Housing & Related Resources
Visit the City of Chicago’s Affordable Rental Housing Resource List.
Housing Counseling
Housing Counseling Centers (HCC) Delegate Agencies are HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies providing comprehensive housing counseling and education in one or more for the following topics listed below. Click here for a list of agencies.
- Financial Management: Helping Chicagoans improve their financial health through personalized guidance on their budget and credit, managing assets, and protecting assets.
- Pre-purchase: Helping Chicagoans interested in homebuying navigate the process along with offering an eight-hour homebuyer education course, which may include six hours of pre-purchase education and two hours of individual counseling.
- Post-Purchase: Assisting Chicago homeowners in non-delinquency ownership-related topics such as Refinancing, Predatory Lending, Property Taxes, how to shop for Homeownership Insurance, and general education on Probate, Estate, and Wills.
- Foreclosure Avoidance: Helping Chicago homeowners at risk of foreclosure navigate the loss mitigation process and working directly with their current lenders or loan servicer.
- Tenancy (aka Rental Counseling): Helping existing Chicago tenants and prospective tenants find an affordable unit, education on renter’s rights and responsibilities, and helping tenants sustain their rental unit.
- Condo Purchase: Additional educational efforts for Chicagoans seeking to purchase a condo in the City of Chicago. This effort will help them navigate the complexities of buying a condominium and its structure.
Emergency Housing
Call the Homelessness Prevention Call Center
Dial 2-1-1 or 312.744.5000 and ask for “Short-Term Help.” (TTY Access is available for callers using specialized TTY equipment due to hearing problems: 312.948.6817.) Call Center staff will assess your eligibility for financial assistance and other community resources, then refer you to partner agencies that can help. The Call Center is open Monday – Thursday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM.
Get Assessed for Housing Programs
You can complete a Coordinated Entry System assessment, which asks questions about your eligibility for housing programs that will meet your needs. Upon completion, your name will be entered into a list, and you will be notified if you’re matched to a housing program. Please visit the nearest Access Point to complete an assessment.
Chicago Department of Family & Support Services Centers
The centers are open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday. You can drop in or schedule an appointment to have an initial assessment to identify your needs for a range of resources, including shelter, food, clothing, domestic violence assistance, job training/placement, and services for the formerly incarcerated. Clients can also get information about rental, utility, and other financial assistance programs. The facilities serve as Warming and Cooling Centers during periods of extreme weather.
Seniors