Other resources are available to help homeowners who are having trouble paying their mortgages, are facing foreclosure, or may have been a victim of mortgage fraud.

The NATIONAL FORECLOSURE MITIGATION COUNSELING Program

• The National Foreclosure Mitigation Counseling Program (NFMC), administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), provides FREE foreclosure counseling and legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure or at risk of foreclosure.

• Federal funding for the NFMC program is provided to IHDA by NeighborWorks America in Washington, D.C.

• Foreclosure counselors are trained to negotiate with lenders and servicers on behalf of homeowners. All counselors are trained to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines.

• See this FILE for a list of housing counseling agencies in Illinois that provide services under Round II of the NFMC program.

• Homeowners needing assistance can also visit www.findaforeclosurecounselor.org/network/nfmc_lookup/.  This website features a search function for homeowners seeking advice to locate their nearest counselor by State and/or zip code.

National HOPE Hotline

• Homeowners facing increasing mortgage payments and possible foreclosure can call the national hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE to access FREE mortgage counseling and assistance.

• Illinois callers should identify themselves as calling from Illinois and will be referred to their nearest counselor.

• All counselors are HUD-certified.

MORTGAGE FRAUD HOTLINE: CRACKING DOWN ON PREDATORY LENDERS

• If you suspect you may be a victim of mortgage fraud, contact the Governor’s Mortgage Fraud Task Force at 1-800-532-8785.

• Examiners are available to investigate cases where fraud is suspected.

NOTE: If you are an organization interested in becoming a HUD-certified counselor, please visit www.hud.gov.