Help Paying the Rent

Dear Neighbor,

Since I joined the legislature six years ago, I've made housing policy a central focus of my agenda. Too many of our neighbors are struggling to pay their rent. Homeowners on fixed incomes are struggling to keep up with rising tax bills. Thousands of families have been pushed out of their homes, either by eviction and foreclosure or by costs that have grown unaffordable.

Of course, the coronavirus pandemic only made this crisis worse. With millions out of work, federal unemployment dollars drying up, and evictions set to start back up later this month, many of our neighbors are in very precarious positions.

Fortunately, during the brief legislative session in May of this year, we were able to pass a bold new program to help renters and homeowners. Over $400 million in relief will go out to Illinois families between now and the end of the year.

Today is the first day for renters to apply for emergency assistance. And on the 24th, mortgage assistance will become available for homeowners. There are links below to learn more about these programs.

If you meet the criteria, I encourage you to apply for these programs. Keeping people housed is not only a social and moral imperative, it's also in this day and age a public health imperative — after all, you can only stay at home if you have a home.

And as always, if you have any questions, just reply to this email or call our office at 773-853-2570.

All my best,

- Will

Emergency Housing Assistance Available Now

Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA): August 10 - August 21

One time grants of $5,000 for renters who were impacted by COVID-19 [click here]

Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA): August 24 - September 4

One time grants of up to $15,000 to cover missed mortgage payments due to COVID-19 [click here]

DFSS Rental Assistance Program: Closes Monday, August 10 at 11:59pm

Financial assistance for Chicago residents who are at immediate risk of homelessness [click here]

Chicago Housing Assistance Portal:

This portal can route you to the most appropriate of the four housing assistance programs available: DFSS Rental Assistance Program; DOH COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grants; DOH Mortgage Assistance Program; or the Illinois Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Assistance [click here]

Community Housing Partners

Spanish Coalition for Housing

1922 N. Pulaski Road

Chicago, IL 60639

(773) 292-5784

Neighborhood Housing Services Chicago

1279 N Milwaukee Ave

Chicago, IL 60622

(773) 329-4186

HANA Center

4300 N California Ave

Chicago, IL 60618