Trainings & Events Calendar

NOTE: Due to COVID-19, all trainings & events are virtual.

Upcoming Trainings & Events

Master Follow-up with First-time Homebuyers: Creating Effective Email Marketing Campaigns – Virtual Three-Part Series
March 2, 9, & 16 | 10 am–12 pm

A recent study by the National Realtor’s Association finds that 82% of renters want to become homeowners, but many don’t know where to start—and some struggle with next steps even after a first-time homebuyer class. One inexpensive and effective way for housing counseling agencies to help these clients is through email marketing campaigns. Join this three-part webinar series to learn how email marketing tools can help you serve first-time homebuyers outside of routine counseling services. In our first session, we’ll go over the basics of setting up an email campaign; in our second, we’ll discuss segmenting lists to meet the homebuyer where they are in the process; and in the third, we’ll go over example campaigns for clients in the pre-purchase, post-counseling, non-mortgage-ready, and post-purchase stages of buying a home.

Brought in partnership with Laura Royer of The Royer Consultancy.

Scholarships: Thanks to a funder’s generosity, we are happy to be able to offer a limited number of first-come, first-served scholarships to cover the full registration cost of this training. Go through the registration process and apply the discount code HAISCH2021 at checkout to take advantage of this opportunity.

Discounted to $100 (a $150 value) | Register

Housing Counseling: Back to the Basics – Virtual
March 3 & 4 | 10:30 am–12:30 pm

During this training, we will cover the essential skills and knowledge you need to provide effective one-on-one housing counseling. If you have less than one year of counseling experience or need a refresher, this course is for you.

We will cover mortgage readiness and prequalification, credit report review, action plan development, and other key counseling activities. A 2020 survey by the Harris Poll found that barriers to homeownership continue to affect more than half of U.S. adults (56%) who have tried to purchase their own homes. We will discuss the barriers that prevent these individuals from reaching homeownership and information that you can provide to help clients who are struggling to manage debt, understand homeownership steps, and build wealth. Learn to build coaching strategies for financial and debt management, credit rebuilding, and creating a savings program. Finally, we will share tips for enhancing your communication, customer service, and organizational skills.

A 20-question exam will be required at the end of this course.

Brought in partnership with Cora Fulmore of DRN.

Scholarships: Thanks to a funder’s generosity, we are happy to be able to offer a limited number of first-come, first-served scholarships to cover the full registration cost of this training. Go through the registration process and apply the discount code HAISCH2021 at checkout to take advantage of this opportunity.

$80 | Register

Plain Language 101 – Virtual
March 11 | 2:00 pm–3:30 pm

Using plain language can make information about housing and homelessness—and your nonprofit’s programs and services—easier to find, understand, and use. Join us to learn key concepts for communicating more clearly, especially when trying to reach people who are strapped for time, have low literacy skills, or are English language learners. We’ll examine examples from the housing and homelessness fields and review strategies related to audience needs, organization, layout, and wording that you can use to improve everyday or formal communications.

Brought in partnership with Melanie Sampson of the Clear Language Lab at Literacy Works.

Sponsored by Ameren Illinois.

$20 for members, $30 for non-members | Register

Helping Homeowners Seeking Loan Modifications – Virtual
March 25 | 10 am–12 pm

The federal CARES Act, passed by Congress in March 2020 in response to the pandemic, provides for mortgage payment forbearance for homeowners affected directly or indirectly by COVID-19. Beginning in April 2020, homeowners whose homes were secured by federal mortgages (about two-thirds of the market) could ask for up to 12 months of forbearance. After that, mortgage servicers must consider homeowners for various types of modification based on the loan type. So, by April 2021, there are likely to be millions of homeowners seeking loan modifications. This webinar will examine the different types of loan modifications that are available, how they work, and tips on applying.

Free | Register

Designing Better Forms – Virtual
April 8 | 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

In this workshop, we will review the principles of plain language and apply them to a specific type of document: forms. Forms are often the first entry point into a program, but they are often overly complicated and hard to understand while often asking for very personal information. We’ll review strategies for making forms easier to understand, more inclusive, and trauma-informed. We’ll also review basic design principles and basic tools for different types of forms. Come with a form you would like to discuss and be ready for small group conversations. Taking the Plain Language 101 workshop on March 11 before this workshop is recommended but not required.

Brought in partnership with Melanie Sampson of the Clear Language Lab at Literacy Works.

Sponsored by Ameren Illinois.

$20 for members, $30 for non-members | Register

Member Coffee Hour – Virtual
April 15 | 10 am–11 am

Kick off your morning by joining Housing Action’s Executive Director Sharon Legenza and other colleagues working in housing and homelessness for a casual coffee hour. Do you miss chatting with coworkers in the office kitchen? Do you need a sounding board for a new idea? Whether you’re looking for support working through a challenge or just want to discuss the great new show you watched on TV last night, join us to talk things out. Drop in for a few minutes or the full hour.

Members: registration info will be shared via email. Contact Amina Farha with questions.

Online Study Group for the HUD Exam – Virtual
April 27–29 | 11 am–12:30 pm & 2:00–3:00 pm (two sessions each day)

Your preparation for the HUD certification exam starts here! Housing Action Illinois is back with another online study group series, and we’ve redesigned the training to be more interactive and adapt to the needs of each group of counselors joining the series. Join us to gear up for the test in a supportive, peer-learning environment. We will take a deep dive into the key points of each module, share critical test information, quiz you on what you’ve learned, and answer your most pressing questions about the exam.

$150 | Registration coming soon

Supporting Clients with Diverse Digital Literacy Needs – Virtual
May 6 | 2:00 pm–4:00 pm

In this workshop, we’ll explore ways to support clients with varying digital literacy needs. We will examine common obstacles and potential solutions when delivering services remotely, review ways to incorporate plain language strategies while writing or speaking about technology, and identify tools that can support you in your work.Brought in partnership with Melanie Sampson of the Clear Language Lab at Literacy Works. Taking the Plain Language 101 workshop on March 11 before this workshop is recommended but not required.

Brought in partnership with Melanie Sampson of the Clear Language Lab at Literacy Works.

Sponsored by Ameren Illinois.

$20 for members, $30 for non-members | Register