2010-09-07 17:53:10 -

Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago : (NHS) and Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc. : (ATG), in partnership with The Chicago Community Trust : and Illinois Housing Development Authority : , are co-sponsoring the “ Keep Your Home : ” FREE foreclosure-prevention event to help Chicago’s west suburban homeowners at risk of foreclosure modify their loans and lower their payments.

The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the Hemmens Cultural Center : , 45 Symphony Way, and The Centre of Elgin : , 100 Symphony Way, Elgin, Ill. 60120. The Hemmens Cultural Center will host the main event

(main entrance, registration and processing), and The Centre of Elgin will host event workshops in both English and Spanish.

At the event, more than 100 volunteer real estate attorneys, HUD-certified counselors and other volunteers will review, FOR FREE, homeowners’ paperwork and determine if they qualify for assistance under the “Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan” – known as “Making Home Affordable” — www.makinghomeaffordable.gov : .
If so, applications will be prepared onsite and submitted to loan servicers THAT DAY via the Internet.

According to the Woodstock Institute : , Kane County had a 60 percent increase in new foreclosure filings in the first half of 2010, compared to the first half of 2009.
From Jan. 1 to April 19 of 2010, the City of Elgin recorded more than 1,000 total foreclosures (including new filings, REO auctions and properties that became bank-owned).

“There is an imminent need for foreclosure-prevention services in the Tri-City area. Kane County saw a 26 percent increase in foreclosure activity last month,” said Ed Jacob, executive director of NHS of Chicago. “We encourage homeowners who may eventually or currently do have difficulty paying their mortgages and would qualify for a loan modification, to attend and seek assistance.”

”The volunteer real estate attorneys, HUD-certified counselors and other volunteers are here to provide the help that homeowners need during these difficult times,” said Hank Shulruff, senior vice president of ATG.

Additional organizations participating in the event include: the Regional Home Ownership Preservation Initiative : , Spanish Coalition for Housing : , the Joseph Corporation : , the City of Elgin : and Kane County : .

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

Additional information can be found at the following websites.

ATG: www.atgf.com/tabid/1222/Default.aspx :

NHS: www.nhschicago.org/site/3C/category/fix_your_mortgage :



Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc.

A nonprofit organization established in 1975, Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. (NHS) is committed to offering Chicago residents affordable resources so that they can buy, maintain and sustain their homes. It partners with residents, block clubs, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, the City of Chicago, 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.



Attorneys’ Title Guaranty Fund, Inc.

Through its nearly 4,000 member attorneys across Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana, Attorneys’ Title Guaranty has presided over more than 2.5 million home closings and provided homebuyers with competitively priced title insurance : since 1964. The only bar-related title insurance company : based in Illinois, ATG has built a significant market share by providing excellent service at competitive prices. It has a financial stability rating of “A Prime Unsurpassed” from the independent ratings bureau, Demotech.


The Chicago Community Trust

For 95 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 2009, 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.

Note to media, for more information please contact: Jason Sherman, SHERMAN communications and marketing : , P: 708-445-8598, jason@shermancm.com : mailto:jason@shermancm.com , www.shermancm.com : , Public relations firm : .



Media Contact:SHERMAN communications & marketingJason

Sherman, 708-445-8598 jason@shermancm.com : mailto:jason@shermancm.com ,
www.shermancm.com : ,
Public

relations firm :