The Cortland Housing Assistance Council (CHAC), Inc. is a not-for-profit Rural Preservation Company which addresses and monitors the housing needs of Cortland County. The agency provides home improvement assistance to eligible applicants by utilizing funding under the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging's Handyman Program, Ramp Program and Weatherization Referral Assistance Program. Housing assessments are conducted; work write-ups and estimates created; and work performed by CHAC, Inc. or contracted out. Moderate rehab assistance is provided to income eligible homeowners under the HOME Program in the form of a no-interest, deferred payment loan. First time home buyers receive moderate rehab assistance under the NYS AHC Program. This program offers funds for closing costs as well as rehab after purchase. CHAC, Inc. also owns and manages 50 units of affordable housing within the City of Cortland. As a HUD approved housing counseling agency CHAC, Inc. counsels clients about owner-occupied housing issues. These services include, but are not limited to, pre- and post-purchase counseling, mortgage default, energy conservation, money management and home equity conversion mortgages.