COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
In response to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, state and local organizations are distributing federal rental assistance in their communities. The money can help landlords and renters who are struggling to keep up with rent and other bills. Many programs take applications from both landlords and renters. Use the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s tool to find the most up-to-date information on local rental assistance programs.
Learn more about the State of Illinois, Cook County, and City of Chicago COVID-19 rental assistance programs, including eligibility requirements and documents you will need to apply.
| Program | Program Status | Communities Served | Program Information |
| Illinois Rental Assistance Program | Open | State of Illinois | Apply by contacting an IDHS Service Provider Agency in your area or call the IDHS Help Line at (866) 454-3571 / Hearing or Speech Impaired Hotline at 1-866-324-5553. Information on IDHS and IHDA programs, as well as utility assistance, legal aid, and other supportive services. |
| Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) | Open December 6 to January 9 | State of Illinois | Apply online. For questions or additional assistance, contact a Housing Stability Service Provider, or contact IHDA’s ILRPP call center at (866) 454-3571 or email questions.ilrpp@ihda.org. FAQs are available online. If you applied during the May-July 2021 application periods, check the status of your application at ilrpp.ihda.org/status. |
| Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) | Open | State of Illinois (not Cook County) | Apply online. Rental assistance for households facing eviction. See this toolkit for more information. For application assistance, contact IHDA’s call center at (866) 454-3571 to connect with a Housing Stability Service Provider. |
| Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) | Closed | Chicago | Program is currently closed. Apply for Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) or contact Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt at (855) 956-5763. Check on application status here. If you have questions (815) 972-7368 or email contact@renthelp.wincoil.us about Chicago ERAP application call (312) 698-0202. or contact one of the community groups providing in-person assistance. |
| Cook County COVID-19 Recovery: Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) | Closed | Suburban Cook County (not Chicago) | Program is currently closed. Apply for Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) or contact Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt at (855) 956-5763. If you have questions about Cook County ERAP application call (833) 221-9821. |
| Champaign County Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA) | Open | Champaign County | To apply, complete application form and then mail/drop-off at the Brookens Administrative Center. If you have questions, contact the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission at (217) 328-3313. |
| Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (FERA) | Open | Lake County | Apply online. FERA provides rent and utility assistance for eligible households financially impacted by COVID-19. For questions or help with your applications, call 2-1-1 or text your zip code to 899211. You can also email EmergencyAssistance@LakeCountyHA.org. |
| Madison County Rent & Mortgage Assistance | Open | Madison County | Apply at an intake site or return application to Madison County Community Development. If you have questions, call the Madison County Community Resource Line at (618) 296-5300. |
| McHenry County Emergency Utility and Rental Assistance Program | Open | McHenry County | Apply online. Check if you qualify for emergency assistance online, or by calling (815) 338-7752 or emailing brosenquist@mchenrycountyhousing.org. |
| Winnebago County Rental Help (WCERA) | Open January 1 to January 15 | Winnebago County | Apply online or by calling (815) 972-7368 and choose option #3. If you have questions or need more information, please call (815) 972-7368 or email contact@renthelp.wincoil.us. |
Other Rental Assistance Programs
- Community Action Agencies - Community Action Agencies across the State provide a variety of services, including but not limited to, Rental/Mortgage Assistance, Food, Energy Utility Bill Assistance, Water/Sewer Payment, Employment Training/Placement, Financial Management, and Temporary Shelter.
- Help Illinois Families - Programs for eligible Illinoisans seeking emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities.
- Illinois Department of Human Services - Call “Help is Here” at 1-833-2-FIND-HELP (1-833-234-6343) and be connected to the Homeless Prevention Program, which provides rental/mortgage assistance, and utility assistance to eligible individuals and families who are in danger of eviction, foreclosure or homelessness or are currently homeless. You can also be connected with food, medical, shelter, recovery, and other resources.
- 211 - Call 2-1-1 to be connected to local health and human service assistance.
Local tenant rights, laws and protections - Find information about landlord-tenant issues, your rights and responsibilities, and resources across Illinois, including eviction prevention programs such as:
- Eviction Help Illinois or (855) 621-0811
- Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt (Chicago & Cook County) or (855) 956-5763
- Chicago.gov/eviction or (312) 742-7368
- VA Assistance to Help Avoid Eviction or (877) 424-3838
HUD-assisted and affordable apartments
HUD helps apartment owners offer reduced rents to low-income tenants. To apply, contact or visit the management office of each apartment building that interests you.
- HUD Resource Locator - Search for affordable housing opportunities, public housing authorities, homeless services, and other resources near you.
- IL Housing Search - Free, online resource for renters and property providers in Illinois. Search for affordable, accessible, and market-rate housing that will fit your needs and budget.
- City of Chicago Affordable Rental Housing Resource List - Affordable rental housing opportunities by Chicago Community Area.
Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
To apply for either type of help, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA).
Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA. Your PHA can also give you a list of locations at which your voucher can be used.
Need advice?
- Contact a housing counseling agency - Free or low-cost counseling services for buying, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages. Search for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency here
- Need Housing Assistance? - HUD Exchange
- Legal Assistance
Other Illinois Resources
- Help with your utility bills
- Find rural units for rent - The USDA subsidizes properties and provides rental assistance to properties in rural communities across the country
- Centers for Independent Living (CIL) - CILs are local not-for-profit service and advocacy organizations. CILs are non-residential, community based, cross-disability organizations that provide a variety of independent living services. You may also call (800) 587-1227.
- Rentals from the Illinois Housing Development Authority
- Low Income Housing Tax Credit units
- HOME contacts - The HOME program provides grants to states and units of general local government to implement local housing strategies designed to increase homeownership and affordable housing opportunities for low and very low-income Americans.
- Skills Training and Job Counseling
If you believe your rights may have been violated or are a victim of housing discrimination, we encourage you to submit a complaint. Because there are time limits on when a complaint can be filed with HUD after an alleged violation, you should submit a complaint as soon as possible. You may file a complaint online, call us toll-free at (800) 669-9777 or (800) 877-8339, or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.