South Central Reporter

Rep. Charlie Meier recently posted to his Facebook page a reminder to rental assistance applicants that the HDA’s emergency rental assistance application portal is opening. 

The Illinois Housing Development Authority oversees the Illinois Rental Payment Program. Applicants who applied during the window from May to July in 2021 can chek the status of their applications now. 

"IHDA’s emergency rental assistance application portal for those impacted by COVID-19 will open this Monday, Dec. 6 to receive new applications at www.illinoishousinghelp.org and close on Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022" Meier posted. "This is in addition to IDHS continuing to receive new applications from those seeking rental assistance through community-based agencies." 

The program allows tenants to receive up to $25,000 paid to a landlord directly. The assistance can cover up to 18 months of emergency rental payments, including 15 months of payments a tenant may have missed between June 2020 and April 2022. Households cannot receive more than 18 months of total rental assistance. 

This is important information for families that received federal rental assistance previously. The stated purpose of the Rental Assistance Program is to provide stable housing and improve financial security. Only those impacted in some way by the coronavirus are eligible to receive back rent, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority's official website. 

Renters, tenants and landlords are the only ones eligible for the payments, according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority's official website. There is also an income limit for eligibility, applicants may not make more than 80% of the median income for their area. Assistance with utility bills and legal aid in housing related legal disputes are other services provided.

Required documents to apply for aid include a government-issued ID. Landlords must also provide evidence of past due rent, evidence of ownership and a property management agreement.  Tenants must provide a proof of address, proof of household income, proof of past due rent and proof of public assistance.