Foreclosure Prevention

Don't lose your home to foreclosure! 

DHOC's free counseling helps DuPage County homeowners who are struggling in today's tough economy to develop realistic solutions to prevent foreclosure. 

While DHOC does not provide financial assistance, our counselors can help you

• Assess your financial situation and provide realistic solutions and objective guidance
• Contact your lender/servicer to explore the possibility of a mortgage modification or other workout option
• Find community services that can help you with food, energy assistance and other needs
• Develop a realistic budget to move you and your family through the financial difficulties

Before meeting with a housing counselor, you must attend a free Preserving Homeownership Orientation Session, where our staff will go over the forms you will need to complete and the information you will need to provide in order to have a productive counseling session.  We also will explain how you can get organized to work directly with your mortgage lender/servicer, and review the typical foreclosure prevention options currently available.

To get started, call (630) 260-2500, ext. 2501 to register for a Preserving Homeownership Orientation Session, or register online.

If you live outside of DuPage County, you can find a HUD-certified housing counseling agency in your area at  http://www.hud.gov.

You can obtain more information about the federal Making Home Affordable Program at http://makinghomeaffordable.gov/.

 BEWARE OF SCAMS!

Unfortunately, scam artists are preying on homeowners in crisis.  Beware of any individual or organization that wants to charge you a fee to negotiate a refinancing or modification.  YOU DO NOT HAVE TO PAY ANY FEES TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF PRESIDENT OBAMA'S FORECLOSURE PREVENTION PROGRAMS.  You should work directly with your current lender/servicer.  If you need help or advice, consult a HUD-certified housing counseling agency like the DuPage Homeownership Center.  Our services are free.

The Federal Trade Commission has important tips to help consumers recognize and avoid foreclosure scams on their website at http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/credit/cre42.shtm.

If you have paid a fee to a third party and believe you have been the victim of a scam, the Illinois Attorney General's office may be able to help.  You can get more information on their services at http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/consumers/homeowners_help.html.