Chicago Area Housing Website

Please note: CMAP is not a housing assistance agency and does not offer housing assistance programs.
The following information is provided as a public service only.
If you are in need of housing assistance, please call your city or county government for more information.

Frequently-asked questions for Homebuyers


- For HOMEBUYERS -

General information [ more links like this ]
	How do I find general information on buying a home?
	How do I find information on appraisals?
	How do I find information on rehabbing a home?
	How do I find information on settlement or closing?
	How do I find on-line information about my property taxes?
	I am looking for resources on building a home

Financing a home [ more links like this ]
	I am looking for information on contract for deeds
	Predatory lending - what is it and how can I avoid it?
	Where can I find information about understanding my credit?
	Where can I find information on obtaining a fair mortgage?	'Predatory Lending'

Finding a new home [ more links like this ]
	I believe I may have been discriminated against
	Where can I find a real estate agent?

Moving into a new home [ more links like this ]
	How do I find general information on moving?
	How do I find information on home inspections?
	How do I find information on homeowners insurance?
	Where can I find homeownership counseling or financial assistance?

Rights and Responsibilities [ more links like this ]
	What are my rights as a homebuyer?

Useful links for Homebuyers


Data resources and GIS maps [ more links like this ]
	Census quick tables
	Chicago Aldermanic Ward Map
	Chicago Crime Data
	Chicago Public Schools- School Test Scores and Demographic Reports
	City of Chicago- Citizen ICAM
	City of Chicago: Find your Ward or Alderman
	Fannie Mae-Owned Property Search
	Fannie Mae-owned property search
	Foreclosure report
	Foreclosure report
	Freddie Mac: Home Steps
	HUD- Healthy Communities Environmental Maps
	HUD- Homes for Sale
	HUD- Income limits
	Lake County- Tax Assessment Map Gallery
	McHenry County- Foreclosure Report
	MetroEdge- City of Chicago Market Profiles	'Housing Market'
	Will County Data Resources

Information and assistance for the general public [ more links like this ]
	Chicago Reader Apartments for Rent and Homes for Sale (Spacefinder)	'Rental Housing'
	Chicago Tribune Homes For Sale
	Fannie Mae: Homepath
	Freddie Mac: Resources for homeownership
	IllinoisLawHelp.org (Illinois Technology Center)	'Fair Housing'
	RealInfo	'Housing Market'
	State of Illinois- Real Esate Licensee Look Up
	The John Marshall Law School Fair Housing Legal Support Center	'Fair Housing'
	U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development- HUD	'Affordable Housing' 'Public Housing' 'Predatory Lending' 'Fair Housing' 'Urban Sprawl' 'Subsidized Housing' 'Employer-Assisted Housing' 'Rental Housing' 'Housing Market' 'Zoning' 'Cooperatives' 'Mixed-income housing' 'Real Estate Development'

Neighborhood Organizations (specific to a particular neighborhood) [ more links like this ]
	Bethel New Life
	Claretian Associates
	Corporation for Affordable Homes of McHenry County	'Affordable Housing'
	Resurrection Project, Chicago	'Affordable Housing' 'Rental Housing'
	Rogers Park Community Council	'Affordable Housing' 'Rental Housing'

Non-Profit and community-based organizations (excluding nbhd.groups) [ more links like this ]
	Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago

On-line journals [ more links like this ]
	Wall Street Journal Guide to Property	'Housing Market'

Public Agencies and Governmental Entities (Chicago region) [ more links like this ]
	Chicago Department of Construction and Permits	'Housing Codes'
	Chicago Department of Housing	'Affordable Housing' 'Public Housing' 'Predatory Lending' 'Fair Housing' 'Subsidized Housing' 'Employer-Assisted Housing' 'Rental Housing' 'Housing Market' 'Cooperatives' 'Mixed-income housing' 'Real Estate Development'
	Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
	City of Chicago
	City of Chicago Department of Construction and Permits	'Housing Codes'
	Cook County Assesor
	DuPage County Official Website
	Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)	'Affordable Housing' 'Rental Housing'
	Kane County Official website
	Lake County Official Website
	McHenry County
	State of Illinois Official Website
	Will County Official Site

Assistance Programs for Homebuyers

Program category
Assistance for Developers (private and/or not-for-
- Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank- Community Investment Program
- Chicago Partnership for Affordable Neighborhoods
Assistance for Disabled Persons
- Project Ground Floor
Assistance for Homebuyers
- Aurora- Mortgage Credit Certificate Program
- Aurora- Real Estate Transfer Tax Rebate
- CEDAs Comprehensive Housing Counseling
- Chicago Location Efficient Mortages
- Chicago Neighborhood Lending Program
- Chicago New Homes for Chicago
- Chicago Partnership for Affordable Neighborhoods
- Chicago Public Schools Teacher Housing Assistance
- Chicago TaxSmart Mortgage Program
- Chicago Teacher Housing Resource Center (HUD)
- DuPage County The 2002 Home Equity Loan Program (HELP)
- DuPage County- Homestead and Housing Choice Programs
- DuPage- Just Homes
- HUD- 203(b) Mortage Insurance
- HUD- 203(k) loan
- HUD- Cities that offer homebuying assistance programs
- HUD- Public Housing Vouchers for Homeownership
- IHDA First-time homebuyer program
- IHDA Homebuyer Assistance and Rehabilitation/Program
- IHDA Mortgage I-Loan Certificate (MCC)
- IHDA Rural Guarantee Housing Initiative
- IHDA- Will County Homebuyer Program
- Kane County- Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP)
- Mortgage Awareness Program
- NHS: Gap Loans
- NHS: Mortgage and Purchase/Rehab loan program
- Oak Park: Homebuyer assistance
- Schaumburg: First Time Homebuyers Program
- Will County FirstHome Program
Assistance for Homeowners
- Illinois State Treasurer: Own Your Own Home Program
Assistance for Low-Income Households
- CEDAs Neighborhood Development Corporation
- HCP of Illinois, Inc.
- Schaumburg: Services and Assistance for Low Income Residents
Assistance for Renters
- HUD- Housing Choice Voucher Program
Employer Assisted Housing
- Chicago Police Officer Homeownership Incentive
- HODC- Employer Assisted Housing
- Regional Employer-Assisted Collaboration for Housing (REACH)
Energy assistance, home weatherization
- Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP)
Foreclosed and Abandoned Property Acquisition Prog
- Golden Feather
Targeted programs for specific areas or buildings
- Chicago Historic Bungalow Initiative