Resident Resources Available
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) is an emergency housing assistance program administered by the state of Illinois through the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), and applications for the program’s current round close at the end of January. To date, 5,169 Cook County homeowners (3,974 from city of Chicago) applied for funding in Round 1 and 1,461 have been approved (934 in Chicago) totaling nearly $24 million in assistance ($14 million in Chicago). The Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD) program and the associated Emergency Rental Assistance program remain open to help residents, as well.
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund
IHLAF offers eligible households grants of up to $60,000 for past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees. Applications will be accepted at www.illinoishousinghelp.org until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023.
IHLAF helps homeowners avoid mortgage default and foreclosure after experiencing a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Payments will be made directly to the mortgage servicer, taxing body or other eligible entity once a homeowner’s application has been approved. To qualify, Illinois homeowners must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 30 days late on one or more of mortgage loan, property tax, property insurance and/or HOA/condo association fee payments.
- Have a household income at or below 150% Area Median Income.
- Own and occupy a home in Illinois as a primary residence.
- Experienced a financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020 but continued after that date).
Proof of citizenship is not required to apply, and the assistance is not considered a public charge.
More information on the application process, including videos on how to apply, a complete list of required documents and other housing help can be found at www.illinoishousinghelp.org.
Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD)
This program provides legal counseling to landlords, tenants and homeowners who have fallen behind in payments, need payment restructuring, and/or assistance in eviction or foreclosure courts. The program also provides access to Cook County’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
Information and application materials are available at www.Cookcountylegalaid.org. Residents may also call the hotline at (855) 956-5763.