RESOURCES

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

Credit and Money Management

• Bankrate.com.  News, tips, and advice to compare mortgage rates, home equity and loans, CDs, car loans, credit cards and money market accounts.  Bankrate.com    Bankrate Calculator 

• 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!    Advanced Calculators     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 Reports.  You are entitled to one copy from each of the major credit reporting companies - Equifax, Experian, Transunion -  each year.  AnnualCreditReport.com

• Debt Advice.  Designed to help consumers understand the wise use of credit and locate a trained, certified counselor if in need of assistance.  National Foundation for Credit Counseling.  To help you select the right debt resolution option when in financial distress, please view the following video:  English version

• Financial Education.  Save, invest and manage your money better.  U.S. Financial Literacy and Education Commission resources

• 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

• Internal Revenue Service.  If you have access to a computer and the Internet you may be eligible to prepare and file your federal tax return electronically -- for free.  Free File is an easy way to file your taxes and get your refund in half the time.  Free File

• 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

• 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

• Kansas Housing Resources Corporation.  Housing resources and supportive services. Information for first-time homebuyers and for rehabilitating existing homes. KHRC

Affordable Rentals

• Housing and Urban Development.  Federal agency website helps you locate affordable apartment rentals in your area.  HUD

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

• 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

Community Resources

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

• City of Lawrence.   A list of resources and services available to Lawrence area residents.   Lawrence Resource Guide

• City of Manhattan.  A list of resources and services available to Manhattan area residents.  Manhattan Resource Guide

• City of Topeka.  Site with links to all city departments including: code enforcement, human relations, the mayor's office and community activities.  Topeka, KS

• City of Topeka.  A list of resources and services available to Topeka area residents.  Topeka Resource Guide

• 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

• 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

• Shawnee County Landlord's Association.  Provides education, information and consultation in developing and maintaining rental properties that are safe and meet high standards of health and decency.  Landlords of Shawnee County

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

• Topeka Rescue Mission.  Provides food, shelter, clothing, training, and hope to homeless and impoverished men, women, and children. No one is ever turned away. Staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Topeka Rescue Mission

• 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.