Monday, August 10, 2020
Dear Partners,
As you may know, today Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) launched the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to support those who have been unable to pay their rent due to COVID-19.
I encourage all of IDHS' partners to share information about this opportunity with Illinois residents who may benefit. IHDA's website for the program is www.ERA.IHDA.org.
Approved applicants will receive a one-time grant of $5,000, paid directly to their landlord to cover missed rent payments beginning in March 2020 and prepaid through December 2020 or until the $5,000 is exhausted. Renters in need of assistance can go online and apply now.
Applications will be accepted through August 21, but people are urged to apply as soon as possible.
Additionally, on August 24, applications will be accepted for a related program for mortgage assistance. It will support about 10,000 households with up to $15,000 paid directly to their mortgage lender to cover payments between March and December of this year. Applications will be accepted through September 4.
Thank you to the IHDA for leading this important work, and thank you in advance to those of you who are helping to build housing security for families across Illinois.
Sincerely,
Grace B. Hou
Secretary, IDHS
