Need help getting caught up on your mortgage payments? 🏡
I am excited to share that the Illinois Department of Housing has opened a new round of the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) to help homeowners who continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. And, in response to feedback during the first round of applications, I am happy to announce that they have doubled the maximum grant amount to $60,000 from $30,000.
ILHAF assistance is designed to help homeowners avoid mortgage default and foreclosure after experiencing a financial hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This grant can cover overdue mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and association fees.
To qualify, applicants 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 receiving ILHAF assistance will not make you a public charge or affect immigration status.
With foreclosure rates remaining high throughout our state, I want to encourage anyone who needs these funds to apply as soon as possible. This program is free and applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023. For more information and to start your application go to www.illinoishousinghelp.org.
And as always, my office is here to help answer your questions or connect you with a certified housing counselor near you. You can reach my office by phone or email at (773) 853-2570 and will@repguzzardi.com.
Thanks, be well and stay safe —
Will
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE FAIR
Join us on December 8th for a Mental Health Resource Fair from 3pm-6pm at the Copernicus Center! Learn what mental health and wellness resources are available to you on the Northwest Side.
There will be a 20-minute information session on how to approach mental health issues and maintain healthy practices. There will also be informational tables from local organizations.
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
This winter, my office and the Northwest Side Solidarity Network are partnering on a Winter Clothing Drive, and we need your support!
Stop by my office or one of our partnering coffee shops to drop off your donation of winter clothing anytime before December 19th:
Sip of Hope Coffee - 3039 W Fullerton Ave.
Brew Brew Coffee & Tea - 3832 W Diversey Ave.
Sipping Turtle Cafe - 2959 N Milwaukee Ave.
Rep. Guzzardi's Office - 3458 N Cicero Ave.
We're accepting mens, women's and kids clothing, although kids winter clothing items are preferred. Please donate new or gently used items. Thank you for your support!
METROPOLITAN FAMILY SERVICES HOLIDAY GIFT DRIVE
Every child deserves a special gift this holiday season. Join us in making the holidays brighter for children in need by donating a gift to Metropolitan Family Services' holiday gift drive.
Donating gifts virtually is easy! Click here to look at goods you can purchase and donate. You will be emailed a tax receipt at the time of purchase. At the end of the drive all goods ordered online will be shipped directly to Metropolitan Family Services.
Thank you! Your contributions will strengthen our community by making the holidays brighter for families in need.