COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
- Emergency COVID-19 Rental Assistance Programs - Learn more about the State of Illinois, Cook County, and City of Chicago new emergency COVID-19 rental assistance programs including eligibility requirements and documents you will need in order to apply.
- Illinois Rental Payment Program - The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) will administer a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program this spring. The Illinois Rental Payment Program is not currently accepting applications and the program is in development.
- Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance program - Serving people who live in Suburban Cook County. Applications are open March 11, 2021 to April 9, 2021. If you need assistance contact the Cook County Emergency Rental Assistance Program helpline at 877-426-6515.
- Chicago Housing Assistance Portal - The Department of Housing and the Department of Family and Support Services have several initiatives to provide housing cost assistance to Chicago residents impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
- Lake County - Provides rent and utility assistance for eligible households financially impacted by COVID-19 in Lake County.
- Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program - For qualifying Lake County renters begins April 5. For questions, email EmergencyAssistance@LakeCountyHA.org or call 847-223-1170 x2400.
- Lake County COVID Housing Relief Program - Provides rent and utility assistance for eligible households financially impacted by COVID-19 in Lake County.
- DuPage County CRIS - DuPage County’s community resource database, including housing & utility assistance.
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.
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.
- Use the HUD Resource Locator to search for affordable housing opportunities 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.
Local tenant rights, laws and protections - Know your rights as a tenant and protections available to you. Find information about landlord-tenant issues, your responsibilities, and resources across Illinois
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.