Chicago

Chicago

How to Get Help: 311

Campaign Details:
The Chicago campaign was launched on April 01, 2003. Homeowners can call the City's 311 City Services line at the first sign of mortgage delinquency. Callers are connected with one of three credit counseling agencies affiliated with the Credit Counseling Resource Center for a free counseling session. The counselor's role is to:

• 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 loans, and foreclosure prevention classes.

If a homeowner's situation requires face to face counseling they are referred to the closest Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago office.

The campaign uses a variety of different outreach methods, often targeting residents at risk in zipcodes with high foreclosure rates. Outreach methods include billboards, advertisements on buses, trains, and postcard distributions to the housing expos Religious centers, aldermen, and other city departments. Insert versions of the postcards are also provided to lenders interested in sending them to borrowers.

Partners: