Welcome to the Neighborhood
Elgin’s neighborhoods are rich in cultural diversity. From the four historic districts to new housing developments throughout Elgin, each neighborhood has its own unique character. Elgin’s Hispanic community is growing, currently making up 35 percent of the town’s population. Concentrated in the east side and west side near the downtown area and by the river, many families in these areas are low- and moderate- income. On the east side and west side of Elgin between McLean Blvd (west) and as far as the Cook County line (on the east side), there are blocks with homes showing deferred maintenance. In many cases, these properties have been poorly maintained due to families lacking the resources or knowledge to repair and maintain their homes.
NHS of the Fox Valley’s mission is to create opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods. The organization does this by educating and preparing new homeowners for success; in Kane County, and lending in the city of Elgin to help people buy and rehab homes; lending to preserve home ownership; sustaining home ownership through foreclosure intervention counseling; and building powerful and enduring community partnerships.
Programs and Services
NHS of the Fox Valley is committed to Kane County and Elgin’s bright future, and it starts with helping low- and moderate-income (LMI) residents invest in and protect their homes. Home ownership is one of the key opportunities for LMI residents to build their assets and build wealth, thus increasing the stability and vitality of Kane County and the Elgin community.
Lending (Available for Kane County residents)
-
Kane County zero-interest, deferred-payment loans for first-time homebuyers to provide down-payment and closing cost assistance
-
Income and residency requirements apply
Lending (Available for City of Elgin residents)
-
Affordable mortgages for first time home buyers
-
Emergency repair loans – (income eligibility requirements)
-
Refinance loans to remove homeowners from predatory mortgages and avoid foreclosure
-
Affordable second mortgages for borrowers purchasing homes through NHS private partner lenders
Education (Open to all Kane County residents)
-
Free four-part homeownership classes in English and Spanish, offered weekly and covering: The Home Buying Process, Budget and Credit Review, Shopping for a Home, Closing on a Home Loan
-
Periodic workshops on avoiding foreclosure, home safety, and Aging-in-Place
Counseling (Open to all Kane County residents)
-
Individual counseling for those considering home purchase
-
Consultation for current homeowners struggling with their mortgage payments to assist with preventing foreclosure or to refinance into an affordable fixed-rate loan.
-
Mortgage reviews to help homeowners assess their options
Table and Chair Rental Program
NHS of the Fox Valley Program Accomplishments (August 1, 2007-March 31, 2010)
New homeowners created: 19
Families saved from foreclosure: 115
Vacant properties reclaimed: 2
Number of properties impacted with NHS lending: 30
Dollar amount of investment in NHS lending: $4,043,894
NeighborWorks Day Accomplishments
The first Saturday of June, NHS and ECN organizes “NeighborWorks Day” with over 100 volunteers; local residents, rope officers, realtors, and NHS partners, we go to a neighborhood within our targeted area, to do some sprucing-up; painting, landscaping, and minor repairs, to beautify and impact the neighborhood, it’s a great way to bring the neighbors together and take part in getting some work done to properties that show some deferred maintenance. It’s a good way to bring unity and a sense of pride to a community. NeighborWorks day in 2009 NHS with the collaboration of Senior Services, City of Elgin, ROPE officers, and State Farm Insurance, worked on 9 properties, seven which had their front chained link fence removed and homeowners were encouraged to apply for the City’s Chain Link Fence Removal Grant. For two years in a row NHS of the Fox Valley chose Summit Park Neighborhood; the outcome from having same neighborhood is obvious to have a greater impact, one that can be seen by the neighbors, and in hope that there will be residual affect by the residents living in this neighborhood to be motivated to keep their property’s well maintained and have a sense of pride and unity in the Summit Park neighborhood.
