On this page

• Emergency Rental Assistance Programs
• Other Rental and Utility Assistance Programs
• Eviction
• Find Affordable Housing
• Contact a Housing Counseling
• Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers
• Other Resources
• Fair Housing Rights

COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

State and local organizations are distributing money to help landlords and renters 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 or the table below.

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.

Other Rental and Utility Assistance Programs

• Community Action Agencies - Community Action Agencies provide a variety of services, including rental assistance, as well as mortgage assistance, food, utility bill assistance, employment training/placement, financial management, and temporary shelter.
• Help Illinois Families - Online form to make it easier and faster to request emergency assistance to cover costs of utility bills, rent, temporary shelter, food, and other household necessities.
• Illinois Department of Human Services - Call (833) 234-6343 to be connected with rental/mortgage/utility assistance if you are at risk 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.
• Help with your utility bills

Eviction

1. Review resources before moving or choosing to self-evict
2. Apply for emergency rental assistance
3. Contact a legal assistance organization, such as:
   • Eviction Help Illinois (statewide) or call (855) 621-0811
   • Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt (Chicago & Cook County) or call (855) 956-5763
4. Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency or call (800) 569-4287
5. Review local tenant rights, laws and protections
6. Review other eviction resources:
   • What To Do If You're Facing Eviction
   • Chicago.gov/eviction or (312) 742-7368
   • VA Assistance to Help Avoid Eviction or (877) 424-3838

Find Affordable Housing

Federal, state, and local governments help privately-owned properties offer reduced rents to low-income tenants.

You can use the links below to find privately-owned, affordable housing. For more information and to apply, directly contact the properties that interest 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.
• Rural affordable rental properties - The USDA subsidizes properties and provides rental assistance to properties in rural communities across the country.
• Illinois Housing Development Authority Rental Housing Resources

Contact a housing counseling agency

• HUD sponsors housing counselors that can provide free or low-cost advice for wherever you are in the housing process, including rental housing counseling.
• A housing counseling agency can:
  • Help you identify an affordable unit.
  • Provide information on tenant rights and fair housing issues.
  • Counsel you on household budgeting and good rental practices.
  • Connect you with community resources.
• Search online for a HUD-approved housing counseling agency by zip code here or call HUD's interactive voice system at (800) 569-4287.

Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers

Information on Public Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers Programs
Local public housing agencies (PHAs) administer the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs.

• Learn more about the Public Housing Program
• Learn more about the HCV Program, sometimes called “Section 8”

​How to apply
To apply for either program, contact your local PHA. Some PHAs have long waiting lists, so you may want to apply at more than one PHA.

Report an issue or concern
If you have an issue, concern, or a question, follow these steps.

1. Report the issue to your landlord, property owner, or manager.
2. If they do not address the issue, contact your PHA.
3. If your issue is still not resolved, contact your local HUD office.

​​Difficulty using your Housing Choice Voucher

• It is against the law in Illinois to discriminate in all aspects of real estate transactions, including renting or leasing, based on your source of income.
  • This includes non-employment income, such Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) or disability payments.
  • If you believe you have experienced unlawful discrimination in housing, you can file a charge with the Illinois Department of Human Rights.
• You can contact a Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organization for fair housing assistance.
• Contact your PHA. The PHA’s role is to provide you with the housing assistance that enables you to seek out suitable housing.
• Contact a housing counselor to help you identify a unit.
• Use the Find Affordable Housing resources on this page.

Other Resources

• Tenant rights, laws, and protections: Illinois
• Housing and Services Resource Center - If you need housing assistance or are looking for services that help people with disabilities or older adults with everyday activities, these programs and resources may be able to help.
  • Centers for Independent Living (CIL) - CILs offer a broad range of services to empower people with disabilities to stay in the community. These community-based centers are run by and for people with disabilities. Or call (800) 587-1227.
  • Aging and Disability Resource Centers - Gateway to a broad range of services and supports. Or call the Illinois Department on Aging Senior Helpline at (800) 252-8966.
  • Eldercare Locator - Connect older adults to the resources available where they live. Call (800) 677-1116 or visit the website.
  • Find Treatment - Connect with state-licensed providers who specialize in treating substance use disorders, addiction, and mental illness. Or call (800) 662-4357.
• 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
• Health and Environmental Advisories and Programs

Fair Housing Rights
It is illegal to discriminate in the sale or rental of housing, including against individuals seeking a mortgage or housing assistance, or in other housing-related activities. Learn more.

• Fair Housing Initiatives Program (FHIP) organizations may be able to speak to a housing provider on your behalf; conduct an investigation, including testing, to help determine if you experienced discrimination; and provide you with assistance.
• 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 (TTY), or email ComplaintsOffice05@hud.gov.