Resources

Credit and Money Management     Purchasing a Home     Living in Your Home    
Renting and Leasing     Community Resources

Credit and Money Management

Bankrate.com.  12 steps to good money management.  Bankrate.com

Bankruptcy Issues.  Association for research and education on issue related to bankruptcy. American Bankruptcy Institute

Business Week.  A good site for general issues and economic self-help.  BusinessWeek online

Calculators.  Estimate how much savings will grow over time, how long it will take to pay off debt and car loan payments, and more.  Pick One!     Basic Calculators    Advanced Calculators    Bankrate Calculator    Mortgage & Financial Calculators

Choosing a Counselor.  Independent information from the Federal Trade Commission on choosing a credit counselor, credit counseling organization and debt management plans.  Federal Trade Commission

Credit Reporting Agencies.  There are three major credit reporting companies.  They are:  Equifax, experian and TransUnion

Credit Reports.  You are entitled to one copy from each of the major credit reporting companies each year.  AnnualCreditReport.com

Income Tax Assistance.  The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program or the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Program offer free tax help if you qualify.  VITA Program

Kansas Bankruptcy Counseling Agencies.  Federal law requires that agencies that want to offer bankruptcy counseling must receive approval from the United State Trustees Office.  List of Approved Agencies

Kansas Credit Counseling Agencies.  Kansas law requires credit counseling agencies that want to do business in the state to obtain approval for the State Banking Commission. List of Approved Agencies

Purchasing a Home

Buying a Home.  Information on buying a home from the Department of Housing and Urban Development.  Homes and Communities

Fannie Mae.  On-line help in calculating your buying power, information on the loan application process, definitions for real estate terms and other helpful information.  Homepath.

Finding a Home in Topeka.  A cooperative listing resource with participation from six of the major brokers in Topeka.  Topeka Home Finder

Home Price Guidelines.  A service provided by Ginnie Mae to estimate how much you can afford to spend on a home.  Keep in mind that many factors play a part in qualifying for a loan.  What Can I Afford?

Housing and Urban Development.  Federal agency website with information on contracting opportunities, homeownership centers, manufactured housing, and how to locate HUD homes.  HUD

Nonprofit Housing Organizations.  A list with contact information and individual agency websites of the nonprofit housing organizations in Kansas.  FHLBank Topeka

Living in Your Home

Approved Housing Counseling Agencies.  HCCI is a HUD approved counseling agency.  This website will help you locate all approved agencies in the United States.  HUD Approved

Energy Efficiency.  Government-backed program helping businesses and homeowners protect the environment and save money through superior energy efficiency.  ENERGY STAR

Home Pollution and Health Risks.  In every home, there are potential pollution sources that can impact health.  this s a confidential self-evaluation tool you can use.  Home*A*Syst

Keep the Heat On.  Details the process in Kansas for making arrangements to make sure utilities maintain service when it is below 35 degrees.  Cold Weather Rule

Lead Paint.  Information from the Environmental Protection Agency on the dangers of lead in paint, dust and soil.  LEAD Awareness Program

Renting and Leasing

Tenant Screening.  Subscription based national database to help landlords screen potential residents.  National Tenant Network

Community Resources

Associated Landlords of Kansas.  An Association formed to to promote a strong Legislative voice with high standards of ethics that provides education opportunities in Kansas.  T.A.L.K.com

City of Emporia.  Site includes local government, education, business directory, public services, health and safety, visitor information, other government and news. EMPORIA, Kansas

City of Lawrence.  Site with links to city staff, news and resources.  Lawrence, KS

City of Manhattan.  Website Includes current events, City Commission and City Manager reports, departments and links.  MANHATTAN, KANSAS

City of Topeka.  Site with links to all city departments, the mayor's office and community activities. TOPEKA, KS

Community Investment Network.  On-line, 24/7 Web-accessed resource for news, information, data, perspective and opinion, reliable research reports, and for networking; and, for easy access links to government, not-for-profit and corporate organizations and other information sources.  www.communityinvestmentnetwork.com

Housing Locator Tool.  Finding housing in Kansas has never been easier!  Free and anonymous; vacancy information updated bi-weekly; use from any computer! Find a place to rent

Kansas Association of Realtors.  Statewide association representing the interests of real estate professionals.  Includes information on its housing opportunity program. KansasREALTOR.com

Kansas Hispanic Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC).  The Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission (KHLAAC) is proud to be part of the Governor's office.  The Commission is a seven member body appointed by political leaders in Kansas .   The Commission serves as a liaison for the Kansas Hispanic and Latino Community and the Office of the Governor.  The Commission addresses public policy concerns primarily in the areas related to education, health, and business.   The Commission works closely with the Kansas African American Affairs Commission (KAAAC) as well as other state agencies in order to improve the lives of all Kansans. KHLAAC

Lawrence Landlord Association.  The Association is formed to provide a means by which landlords may associate themselves to combat urban decay, undesirable and destructive tenants, and to promote the welfare of landlords.  Landlords Of Lawrence

Transportation.  Non-profit organization that provides basic transportation to low-income individuals through donations from the public and automobile-related businesses in Kansas and Missouri.  CARS 4 CHRISTMAS

Topeka Neighborhood Groups.  Contact information for the Neighborhood Associations and Neighborhood Improvement Associations.  Adobe Reader Format.

State of Kansas.  Site with links to all state agencies, state employees phone numbers and general information on the State of Kansas. KANSAS.GOV

United Way.  HCCI is a United Way Agency.  Find and visit your local United Way to find out how the United Way is making a difference in your community.  Find Your United Way

United Way 211.  The 2-1-1 System connects people with needed human services through an easy to remember three-digit phone number, the web and a variety of community interactions. When someone connects with 2-1-1, specially trained information and referral specialists analyze what services are needed and provide the appropriate resource and related information. Currently more than 65% of the U.S. population has access to 2-1-1, with more systems going live each month.