The state of Illinois as well as other non-profits understand the need to have access to quality and affordable housing. there are, therefore, programs that offer housing support, including rental, mortgage, and foreclosure assistance programs designed to promote safe and quality housing for the residents across the State of Illinois.
Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG)
Through this program, the Community Action Agencies work to provide supportive services that promote self-sufficiency among individuals and households, including rental assistance for low-income people in need of housing assistance. Are you willing to learn more about the program? Please visit http://www.iacaanet.org/ for more information or https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/HomeWeatherization/CommunityActionAgencies/Pages/default.aspx to find out the CAA for your location.
Housing Rehabilitation Program
The housing rehabilitation program allows low-income communities to apply for grants for improved housing and rehabilitation through the CSBG program. The program offers up to $500,000 grant to local government units to help improve the home conditions of low-income individuals and families. The goal is to achieve stabilization and safety and enable low-income earners to have access to quality and affordable housing in their local communities. Want to learn more about the program? Well, visit https://www2.illinois.gov/dceo/CommunityServices/HousingAssistance/HousingRehab/Pages/default.aspx for more information.
Rental Housing
The Illinois Housing Development Authority support housing in the State by funding the construction of affordable housing units, while administering several programs to provide rental assistance services to those in need. IHDA works with the local housing agencies to assist low-income households residing in the participating properties. Visit https://www.ihda.org/rental-housing/ for more information.
Moderate Rehabilitation Program
This program provides rental assistance to residents of Cook and Will Counties who are low-income and need housing and support services. To apply for this program, please check the list of participating properties and their waitlist status. You should directly contact the property to be placed on the list since your application can only be accepted if you are on the waitlist. Visit https://www.ihda.org/rental-housing/#collapseThree to see the list of participating properties.
Emergency & Transitional Housing Program
The Emergency and Traditional Housing Program provides shelter and housing services to individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Services include shelter and other supportive housing services as well as funding for meals to non-profits offering such services to end homelessness. Shelter services include overnight, traditional. And voucher shelters. All depend on the level of assistance you need to get out of your homeless situation. for organizations to qualify for funding, they must be providing supportive services in the community. The goal is to help homeless individuals achieve self-sufficiency and regain stabilization. Other services include training, transportation, counseling, and advocacy. https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30362 provides more information about the program.
Homeless Prevention Program
The homeless prevention program provides rental and mortgage assistance to eligible individuals and families to prevent homelessness in the State of Illinois. Other services include case management, utility assistance, as well as, other supportive services to help those facing eviction, foreclosure, and homelessness. The goal is to help those eligible for assistance achieve stability in their existing homes, reduce the number of homeless individuals, and help them have access to quality and affordable housing. who is eligible for this program? Well, if you are in immediate danger of facing foreclosure or eviction, or you are currently homeless, you qualify for the Homeless Prevention Program. For households, you must demonstrate that you are in a serious economic crisis beyond your control. You must also demonstrate the ability to pay rent in the future. The services for this program are provided through the Continuum of Care organizations, that provide services, including mortgage, utility, and rental assistance to eligible individuals and families. Please visit https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=30360 for more information.
In-Home Supports
This service is designed to help individuals and households achieve independent living. Services include case management, personal care assistance, training, counseling, transportation, and emergency response services. To apply for this program, ensure your family is registered with the Prioritization of Urgency of Need for Services (PUNS). Remember, you must organize and meet with an Independent Service Coordination Agency (ISC). To find out the ISC in your location, kindly search the DHS Office Locator at https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?module=12&officetype=&county=. Select your county of residence and enter the zip code. You will then have access to an agency that will help you learn all you need to know. For more information, please visit https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=31027.
Foreclosure Prevention Programs
There are housing counselors all over the state of Illinois to help you with the financial tools to maintain housing stability. IHDA focuses on foreclosure prevention and offers free housing counseling services to ensure homebuyers make the right housing decisions once they settle down. Do you know someone in your community who could be facing challenges in paying their mortgage? Please advise them to visit the housing counseling section of the IHDA website at https://www.ihda.org/my-home/financial-literacy-pre-purchase-counseling/. They will get access to the support they need. IHDA funds a network of housing counseling agencies who offer foreclosure services through several programs:
Foreclosure Prevention Program Graduated Fund (FPPG)
The IHDA provides grants to housing counseling agencies under the Foreclosure Prevention Program Graduated Fund. The Housing Counseling Agencies must be certified by the HUD to provide services such as capacity building, financial literacy counseling, foreclosure counseling and education, and counselor training. For further information on the program rules, please visit https://df7qosnywqs6g.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FPPG-Final-Rule-Provided-by-JCAR.pdf. Please note that IHDA does to offer funds directly to homeowners. If you are looking for a foreclosure prevention program, kindly reach out to a housing counselor at http://www.ihda.org/my-home/buying-a-house/getting-an-ihda-loan/#findCounselor o help you understand the available options that you can always explore.
How to Avoid Mortgage Fraud
Beware of people who ask you to make some payment in exchange for housing counseling services they provide to you. Keep away from them! Housing counseling services are offered for free.
Beware of the papers you are forced to sign immediately for purposes of, say, saving your home.
Ensure you don’t sign any deed to your property unless in the presence of your mortgage company.
Before you make any mortgage payment, ensure you get approval from your mortgage company.
For more information, please visit https://www.ihda.org/my-community/foreclosure-programs/#collapseSix.
Section 8 Housing in Illinois
Illinois’ Section 8 Housing Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). The program helps eligible individuals and families to reduce the cost of their monthly rent. It is important to give accurate information concerning your income and the number of people in your households when applying for the Section 8 Housing program in Illinois. You might lose your voucher if you fail to be honest about your annual income. Please visit https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/brighterfutures/independence/Housing/Pages/Subsidized.aspx for more information.
USDA’s Single-Family Housing Direct Home Loans in Illinois
The program offers direct loans to low-income individuals and families to help them obtain modernized housing. The funds are meant to renovate and improve the condition of their housing to bring a more decent and safer place. The program helps those in rural areas improve their repayment ability. The program also offers homebuyer education to prospective borrowers. They also provide additional assistance through their approved loan packagers. You can reach out to one of them, or you can submit a prequalification form to the Single-Family Housing Office near you for assistance. For more information, please visit https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/single-family-housing-direct-home-loans/il.
Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The Illinois LIHEAP helps low-income individuals and households pay for utilities, including heat, gas, and electricity. The program assistance depends on the availability of funds in your area and is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The program provides direct vendor payment assistance, emergency services, percentage of the income payment plan, reconnection assistance, and financial assistance to families with low-income. For more information, please visit https://www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-information/low-income-home-energy-assistance-program-liheap.