Our mission is to ensure that all people in the Kansas City metropolitan area have safe, decent and affordable housing on an equal opportunity basis.
Since 1970, HIC has served the greater Kansas City area, providing comprehensive housing counseling services at no charge to individuals, families, homeowners, renters and others needing support. HIC provides counseling to homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure.
HIC is an approved 501(c) 3 not-for-profit Missouri corporation governed by a volunteer board of directors. HIC is designated by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as a certified housing counseling agency.
Depending upon client needs, any of the following services are provided:
Mortgage default and delinquency prevention:
HIC assists homeowners to avoid mortgage default and foreclosure on their properties or renters from eviction due to delinquent mortgage or rent payments. counselor will work with the mortgagee and the mortgage company to arrive at a mutually agreed upon plan.
Pre-Purchase/Pre-Qualification:
HIC provides counseling to assist residents to achieve homeownership. Financing options are discussed, financial reviews are conducted and a detailed budget is developed prior to referral to a lender.
Pre- and post-rental services:
HIC services include affordable housing search, referrals to landlords with available vacancies, and information on housing conditions. Other services may include landlord mediation; education/training for homeless clients; or referrals to community resources.
Reinstatement-Forbearance Agreement:
HIC communicates with the mortgagee to arrive at a mutually agreed upon agreement based on the client's ability to maintain the agreement by way of a thorough budget review. Monitoring continues until resolution is achieved. This process is also used for renters.
Homeless Prevention For At-Risk Families:
HIC assists homeless families/individuals in acquiring permanent housing. Assistance may be provided to prevent eviction, to maintain current housing or to obtain permanent housing.
Household Budget And Credit Management:
Because credit problems are often the reason for rejection of applicants, HIC works with clients to cure underlying problems so referrals can be made to landlords.
The Greater Kansas City Housing Information Center offers pre-purchase classes to residents interested in buying their first home.
Benefits To Be Achieved:
For clients to maintain residence in housing which meets their needs and which they can afford. HIC uses several indicators to assess progress toward this goal:
- Successful participation in counseling sessions;
- Completion of pre-purchase and pre-rental homebuyer/renter classes;
- Acquisition of apartment or rental house;
- Purchase a home;
- Brought mortgage or rent current;
- Execution of agreements with lenders or landlords to prevent foreclosure/eviction;
- Acquisition of housing to meet special needs.
The classes cover important topics, including:
Step 1: Are You Ready for Homeownership
Step 2: How to prepare a household budget
Step 3: Shopping for a Home
Step 4: Shopping for a Mortgage Loan
Step 5: Closing on Your Loan
Step 6: The House is Yours, Now What?
Appointment with a Counselor: Upon receiving a case, the counselor contacts the client to schedule an appointment and instructs the client on the necessary information to bring to the appointment. Walk-in clients are discouraged generally the walk-in client does not have the necessary information and documentation to open a case. Exceptions are made when an eviction or foreclosure is imminent.
