Pritzker announces up to $30K in emergency housing relief

From news release
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — Homeowners financially affected by the coronavirus pandemic will be able to receive up to $30,000 in financial assistance through the Illinois Emergency Housing Assistance Fund program.

Applications for the program will begin being accepted in April. You can apply or find more information at illinoishousinghelp.org.

The program provides up to $30,000 per homeowner paid directly to the taxing body or other entity on behalf of homeowners affected by COVID-19 in order to prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults and foreclosures.

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“My administration worked more quickly than any other state in the country to distribute over $1 billion to prevent renters and homeowners from losing their housing in the pandemic, and this next phase will provide hundreds of millions more in 2022,” Gov. JB Pritzker said in a news release. “Come April, residents struggling to keep a roof over their heads will be able to access up to $30,000 in mortgage relief. This funding marks another step forward in our work to ensure all our residents have what they need for themselves and their families.”

The U.S. Department of the Treasury requires the assistance be used as a “last resort,” and struggling homeowners are required by federal law to seek other relief options prior to applying for this program.

Potential applicants must demonstrate they have either communicated with their mortgage provider about their inability to pay or sought counseling with a HUD-approved organization.

“After allocating over a billion dollars to assist renters and landlords avoid eviction and foreclosure, it is now time to help Illinois homeowners and their neighborhoods in their recovery from the pandemic,” IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust said in a news release. “IHDA has a proven track record over the past decade in providing help to homeowners struggling to pay their housing expenses in the midst of economic strife.”

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To qualify, homeowners must suffered a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020. They also must own and occupy their home in Illinois as their primary residence, be at least 30 days late on monthly housing payments and have a household income at or below 150% of the area median income.

The program is funded through the federal American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law by President Joe Biden in March 2021. The $1.9 trillion economic stimulus relief designed to speed up recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic included $9.96 billion allocated for states, and the state of Illinois was allocated $386.9 million.