Largest, FREE Foreclosure Prevention Event for South Cook County Happens August 20th, in Matteson at Solutions Church

Professionals will assist hundreds of homeowners at-risk of foreclosure find solutions to their housing needs.

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Village of Matteson and Co-Sponsors "Keep Your Home" event at Solutions Church.

CHICAGO, July 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS) and Village of Matteson, in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust and Illinois Housing Development Authority, are co-hosting the "Keep Your Home" FREE foreclosure-prevention event to help South Cook County homeowners at risk of foreclosure speak with their servicer for a loan modification or status update, meet with a housing counselor, apply for the Hardest Hit Fund and other Free housing services.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110714/DC35474LOGO)

The event will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, August 20th, at Solutions Church, 4818 Southwick Drive, Matteson, IL 60443.  Take I-57 to Rt. 30 to Cicero Avenue South to Southwick Drive West (2 lights South of Rt. 30 off Cicero behind Bank of America, in the former Circuit City).

At the event, more than 100 volunteers and HUD-certified counselors will review, FOR FREE, homeowners' paperwork and determine if they qualify for a loan modification or the Hardest Hit Fund.  Homeowners will also be able to attend a FREE Foreclosure Prevention and Hardest Hit Fund Program Workshops, meet and seek advice from the Cook County Tax Assessor's office, the Office of the Attorney General and/or the Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago.  "We are with great anticipation that this event will spark stabilization for our residents and the surrounding communities by providing trusted resources for home retention," said Toni Ashmore, Village of Matteson, Manager of Community Affairs.  

"Solutions Church is committed to providing solutions for today through serving.  We have been diligently seeking an opportunity to facilitate and bring assistance to the many people and families in crisis concerning their basic housing needs in our community.  Our partnership with Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago (NHS), Village of Matteson and Solving Life Inc. will bring the structure and resolve to that vision.  Establishing relationships that matter is one of our core values.  Along with Solving Life Inc., our desire is to create positive change in the lives of individuals, families, communities and other organizations.  We believe that this is the beginning of many future events and programs that will serve the needs of our region.  We are honored to host the Keep Your Home event at our facility" said Danny Dodge, Pastor, Solutions Church and President, Solving Life Inc.

According to the Woodstock Institute (4th Qtr 2010), in the Chicago six county region, 79,986 new foreclosure cases were filed in 2010. This was a 14.1 percent increase over the number of new filings in 2009 and a 38.1 percent increase over 2008.  Regionally, South Suburban Cook County and the City of Chicago continue to have the largest number of new foreclosure filings per property.  There were 35.1 new foreclosure filings per 1,000 mortgageable properties regionally in 2010. South Cook County led the region in foreclosures per property with 50.9 new foreclosure filings per 1,000 mortgageable properties.  

"Our primary goal for the Keep Your Home event is to help hundreds of homeowners who remain at risk of losing their homes to foreclosure. In addition to providing a venue for homeowners to actually speak with their lender, complete a loan modification or speak with a HUD-certified counseling agency, homeowners will also be able to apply for the Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) – an emergency loan program.  Homeowners attending our event who are unemployed or underemployed will be able to determine it they are eligible for HHF and apply for assistance. Last year at our Keep Your Home event in South Holland 250 families received assistance.  We plan to have staff on hand again this year to assist even more families now that the HHF program is another viable option for homeowners in need" said Ed Jacob, Executive Director of NHS of Chicago.

Additional organizations participating in the event include: Diversity, Inc., Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative, Spanish Coalition for Housing, South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association, South Suburban Housing Center, along with several servicers.

For more information, call NHS of Chicago at 773.329.4185 (English) or 773.329.4181 (Spanish).
Pre-registration is encouraged.

Additional information can be found at the following websites:
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago: www.nhschicago.org
Chicago Community Trust: www.cct.org
Illinois Housing Development Authority: www.ihda.org
Village of Matteson: www.villageofmatteson.org

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc.
A nonprofit organization established in 1975, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. (NHS) is committed to offering Chicago and Elgin residents affordable resources so that they can buy, fix and keep their homes. It partners with residents, block clubs, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, the City of Chicago, the City of Elgin, insurance companies, corporations and foundations so that families can protect and preserve their single biggest investment – their homes. NHS is a charter member of the NeighborWorks® America network.  Today, there are more than 230 network organizations working to revitalize communities with affordable mortgage financing and comprehensive homebuyer counseling.

The Chicago Community Trust
For 96 years, The Chicago Community Trust, the region's community foundation, has connected the generosity of donors with community needs by making grants to organizations working to improve metropolitan Chicago. In 2010, the Trust, together with its donors, granted more than $100 million to nonprofit organizations. From strengthening schools to assisting local art programs, from building health centers to helping lives affected by violence, the Trust continues to enhance the region.

Illinois Housing Development Authority
The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) finances the creation and the preservation of affordable housing throughout the state to increase the supply of decent and safe places for people of low or moderate means to live. IHDA has helped finance more than 215,000 units of affordable housing, with more than $10.6 billion.

Village of Matteson
In the mid 1800s, Matteson pioneers certainly could not imagine that this settlement would one day be home to nearly 13,000 residents, three school districts as well as private and parochial schools, and a booming major retail and office center.  By 1990, Matteson was a community of 11,378. A "Quality of Life Task Force" was created in 1992 in order to assess and maintain the village's quality of life. As the 1990s progressed, Matteson incorporated new technologies while remaining true to its heritage.  In September of 1999, Matteson celebrated its diversity with a "Hands Across Southland" in honor of "Unity Month." Residents formed a human chain that linked Matteson to other neighboring suburbs. As Matteson moves into the 21st century, it continues to prosper, to support its successful businesses and residents, and to celebrate its diversity.

Solutions Church
A faith-based nonprofit organization established in 2008, Solutions Church is a multi-ethnic fellowship of believers committed to their faith, establishing relationships that matter and providing both spiritual and practical solutions for individuals and families.  Solutions Church is located at 4818 Southwick Drive in Matteson Illinois at the crossroad of Rt. 30 and Cicero Ave.  Visit us at www.solutionschurch.com

Solving Life Inc.
Founded in 1998 by Danny Dodge, Solving Life Inc. is creating positive change in our culture through innovative messages, strategies and programs.  Solving Life inc. provides support to the public and private institutions and is based in the south suburbs of Chicago.  Through our efforts, we have reached out to thousands of youth and families throughout the Chicago-land area.

Media Contact: Pat Washington, NHS of Chicago, Inc. 773.329.4136 or [email protected]

SOURCE Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago