Housing Services
Comprehensive Housing Services Program
The goal of the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program is to educate, inform, assess, listen, and find creative ways to empower participants in acquiring and maintaining affordable housing.
Since 1974, the CEDA Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program has provided individualized one-on-one and group counseling education to families in the areas of pre-purchase and home buying, resolving or preventing mortgage delinquency or default, non-delinquency post purchase, improving mortgage terms, home improvement, locating, securing or maintaining residence in rental housing and shelter and services for the homeless. All types of counseling include budget analysis to help client’s determine the best options available in their efforts of moving towards self-sufficiency. Typically, the Comprehensive Housing Counseling Program serves over 2,000 unduplicated clients every year.
All counseling includes, but is not limited to:
Pre-Purchase/Home buying counseling includes one-on-one and group counseling in the following areas: evaluating mortgagor readiness, fair housing education, budgeting for mortgage payment, finding alternative sources of credit, money management, identifying and avoiding predatory lending practices and learning how to purchase a home using the Section 8 Homeownership Voucher Program. Participants must complete eight to twelve course hours of counseling. A Homebuyers Certificate is received at the end of the counseling session.
Resolving or Preventing Mortgage Delinquency or Default Counseling includes one-on-one and group counseling in the following areas: restructuring debt, establishing reinstatement plans, seeking loan forbearance and managing household finances. This area of focus assists clients that are affected by predatory lending, foreclosure prevention and education, and pursuing loss mitigation strategies. A Certificate of Completion is received at the end of the counseling session.
Non-Delinquency Post Purchase includes one-on-one counseling in the following areas: providing education materials on mortgage loan terms, home improvement and rehabilitation, property maintenance, grant and loan options for those needing housing assistance and the home equity conversion mortgage options. A HECM Certificate is received at the end of the counseling session for those seeking home equity conversion mortgage options.
Locating, Securing, or Maintaining Residence in Rental Housing includes one-on-one and group counseling in the following areas: helping clients obtain and utilize rent subsidies in market rate housing, public housing and transitional housing, budgeting for rent payments, education on client’s and landlord’s rental rights and explaining the eviction process.
Shelter or Services for the Homeless includes one-on-one and group counseling in the following areas: emergency shelter stays in motel/hotel, overnight and seasonal shelters and other shelters, pending the client’s situation. Food vouchers may be provided and is based on voucher availability.
Eligibility Requirements: The Housing Services Program provides counseling to low-and-moderate income families and individuals living in or moving to suburban Cook County. Specific emergency programs that provide rental, mortgage, and shelter assistance are available for families and individuals that fall at or below 150% of the poverty income guidelines. Special consideration may be given to client's not meeting these requirements. All applicants must participate in one-on-one housing counseling with a CEDA Housing Counselor for pre-purchase and home buying, resolving or preventing mortgage delinquency or default, non-delinquency post purchase, improving mortgage terms, home improvement, locating, securing or maintaining residence in rental housing and shelter services for the homeless.
For more information, contact the Housing Counselor located at the nearest Community Development Area (CDA) service center.
Where to Apply:
CEDA Neighbors at Work 1229 Emerson Evanston, IL 60201 847-328-5166 |
CEDA Northwest Self-Help Center, Inc. |
|
|
Bloom-Rich Community Development Association. Inc. |
CEDA Near West |
|
|
Bloom-Rich Community Development Association. Inc. |
Southeast CEDA |
|
|
CEDA Center for Community |
Southwest Development Association |
|
|
Proviso-Leyden Council for Community Action, Inc. |
|
For rental housing subsidy and eligibility through our West Suburban Supportive Housing Program (WSSHP), applicants must show proof of last residency in west suburban Cook County, must be either currently homeless and/or must have proof of eviction and facing homelessness, and must show potential for becoming self-sufficient.
For information about upcoming Home Maintenance and Homebuyers Education workshops, feel free to contact CEDA’s Housing Services Department at 312.795.8962 or email us at housing1@cedaorg.net.
Housing Brochure: Comprehensive Housing Counseling
Housing Brochure: A Road to Home Ownership
Transitional Housing
The Transitional Housing Program is designed to transition homeless individuals and families into permanent shelter. In partnership with West Suburban PADS, CEDA provides transitional shelter for a minimum of six months to a maximum of two years for homeless families and individuals.
Veterans housing
Transitional Housing Program for U.S. Veterans : “Ordered Steps” For a New Beginning
PURPOSE:
CEDA Bloom-Rich has 12 units of transitional housing to serve the growing need for supportive housing by homeless veterans in far South Suburban Cook County.
GOALS:
The ultimate goal of this program is to improve, expand and enhance the quality and delivery of services for the homeless veteran population in our area. Through our unique partnerships, we will be able to provide a stable living situation and a comprehensive array of services designed to prepare them for successful, independent living and self-sufficiency.
PROGRAM CHARACTERISTICS:
Some of the supportive services provided in the program are: comprehensive case management, employment and training, comprehensive housing counseling, medical care, clinical and substance abuse counseling, mental healthcare, independent living skills and residential supervision.
The participants of this program should be drug/alcohol free and able to provide a test reflecting that before entering the program. Participants of this program must sign a contract committing themselves to a minimum six month stay in the facility and their adherence to the program regulations.
To Donate:
Please make checks payable to: CEDA Transitional Housing Program
c/o CEDA
208 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1900
Chicago, IL 60604-1001
Emergency Shelter
The Emergency Food and Shelter Program provide assistance in the form of payments for mortgage/rental assistance, shelter (hotel/motel), and food vouchers. It is designed to help individuals and families maintain or obtain permanent housing and achieve self-sufficiency.