The Greater Kansas City Housing Information Center (GKCHIC) was established in 1970 to address the need to make sure that all people had access to housing on an equal opportunity basis and to preserve affordable housing on an equal opportunity basis and foster economic opportunity for low-income persons and minorities through partnerships within the community.  GKCHIC is one of the oldest HUD housing counseling agencies across the nation and has expanded services with a full range of services to all ages, individuals, families, and all ethnic groups.  GKCHIC is not restricted to service delivery within certain neighborhoods or to specific populations. GKCHIC became the first HUD-approved housing counseling agency in 1986, providing housing counseling services to Kansas and Missouri. The ultimate goal is to stabilize consumers into permanent housing to prevent homelessness. GKCHIC meets the National Industry Standard for Homeownership Education and housing counseling.  GKCHIC delivers quality housing counseling services to over 1,500 consumers annually to improve their economic and educational opportunities.