Today, officials from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) presented a check for more than $33,000 to the Will County Center for Community Concerns (WCCCC) to support the agency’s comprehensive housing counseling program. HUD awarded more than $42 million in housing counseling grants in Opportunity Zones across the nation, with $1.3 million allocated in Illinois.

“These funds will help us continue to offer our important services to the residents of Will County,” said Kris White, executive director of the WCCCC. “We are proud to help our clients reach the American dream of owning a home.”

HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan was on hand to present the check to the WCCCC.

“This is a tremendous resource for organizations as we work diligently to help families attain and retain the American Dream,” said HUD Midwest Regional Administrator Joseph P. Galvan. “Homeownership is the primary way families generally build wealth in America and will help increase the Illinois home ownership rate that is currently 66.1 percent.”

The WCCCC offers counseling for reverse mortgages for homeowners 62 and older, pre-purchase counseling for first time home buyers, mortgage default/loss mitigation, post purchase counseling, and credit counseling. Since the housing market crash of 2008, the WCCCC has offered assistance to more than – residents living in Will County.

Will County Executive Larry Walsh said the work of the WCCCC helps maintain a secure housing market in the county.

“Kris and her staff are truly dedicated to offering housing assistance to our residents,” Walsh said. “In addition to these services, the agency also helps with other needs such as employment and prescription assistance.”

For more information about the services available at WCCCC, visit the website: www.wcccc.net or call (815) 722-0722.