Chicago first-time buyers can take homebuyer education at 13 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies listed by the City’s Department of Housing. The course usually runs eight hours: about six hours of pre-purchase education and two hours of one-on-one counseling. Most down payment programs, including the City’s HomeGrown grant and IHDA’s IHDAccess Home, require it.
Last reviewed September 28, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team
Chicago housing counseling centers
| Agency | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Center for Changing Lives | 1955 N. St. Louis Ave. | 773-342-6210 |
| Chicago Urban League | 4510 S. Michigan Ave. | 773-285-5800 |
| Chinese American Service League | 2141 S. Tan Court | 312-791-0418 |
| Erie Neighborhood House | 1347 W. Erie St. | 312-666-3430 |
| Far South Community Development Corporation | 837 W. 115th St. | 773-831-7107 |
| Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago | 850 W. Jackson Blvd. | 773-329-4111 |
| Northside Community Development Corporation | 1530 W. Morse Ave. | 773-262-2290 |
| Northwest Center | 5233 W. Diversey Ave. | 773-283-3888 |
| Spanish Coalition for Housing | 1922 N. Pulaski Rd. | 773-342-7575 |
| The Hana Center | 4300 N. California Ave. | 773-583-5501 |
| The Journey Forward | 223 W. Jackson Blvd. | 312-429-5945 |
| The Resurrection Project | 1805 S. Paulina St. | 312-666-1323 |
| YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago | 56 E. 47th St. | 312-328-0873 |
What the course covers
The class portion covers the home buying process, and the one-on-one session looks at your own situation. The same agencies also offer financial management help, condo purchase education, post-purchase support and foreclosure prevention.
Before you sign up
- Ask whether the certificate will be accepted by the program you plan to use, such as HomeGrown or IHDAccess Home.
- Ask about cost, language options and whether classes meet in person or online.
- Take the course early. Programs require the certificate before closing, and classes can fill up.
Common questions
Do I need homebuyer education to buy a home in Chicago?
Not to buy a home in general, but most down payment assistance programs require it, including the City’s HomeGrown grant and IHDA’s IHDAccess Home.
How long is the homebuyer education course?
At the City’s listed agencies, it is typically eight hours: six hours of education and two hours of individual counseling.