Home Repairs: Illinois

Home Repairs: Illinois
Homeownership Assistance Foreclosure Utility Bills Predatory Lending Seniors Legal Assistance

If you have questions about: Buying a home or qualifying for a loan Down payment assistance HUD Homes Refinancing Liens HUD-1 settlement statements Other issues with an FHA-insured mortgage	Contact the FHA Resource Center by calling (800) 225-5342 or emailing answers@hud.gov.
Payoff requests	Use the SMART Integrated Portal to make a request and begin the subordination process (see SMART FAQs & Resources).
FHA Single Family Secretary-held Portfolio Subordinate Mortgages and Home Equity Conversion Mortgages	Contact a Secretary-Held Mortgage Servicing Contractor.

The programs and resources listed below help homeowners with home repairs and improvements.

Housing counseling agencies - Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency for free or low-cost counseling services for buying, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages. A housing counselor can help connect you with home repair programs specific to your community. Search for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency here.
FHA Title I Property Improvement Loan Program: Banks and other qualified lenders make these loans for improvements that will make your home basically more livable and useful. Search for an FHA-approved lender in your area online or call HUD's Customer Service Center toll-free: (800) 767-7468 / TTY: (800) 877-8339.
Illinois Housing Development Authority - Through a network of participating agencies, IHDA provides assistance for you to repair your home.
Illinois Affiliates of Habitat for Humanity - through volunteer labor, builds and rehabilitates houses for families in need
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Loan Centers - loans and grants to qualifying veterans to adapt existing dwelling to meet specific needs
USDA Rural Development Office - home improvement loans and grants to low-income homeowners in rural areas

Some communities in Illinois use HUD funds to provide home improvement assistance to local homeowners.
HUD provides money to the State of Illinois Housing Development Authority, which the State passes through to some smaller communities that use it for revitalization and repair programs. Check with the Illinois Housing Development Authority to find out if these resources are available in your community.

Contact your local Better Business Bureau - To review Illinois contractors before starting home repairs
Always be on the alert for home repair and remodeling scams. Be an informed consumer. If you have been a victim of a scam, you may file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General.