housing help is here!

See below for information on the rent, utility, and legal assistance programs currently available.

The state of Illinois is providing emergency housing assistance to help renters maintain stable, affordable housing.
This site is intended to help guide Illinoisans in need of emergency housing assistance due to financial hardship. Discover the emergency assistance programs available to you by multiple state agencies including: the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).
Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP)

Find an IDHS Service Provider Near You

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is now closed for new application. For struggling renters who missed the window to apply for assistance through IHDA, the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is currently accepting applications for rental assistance. Those looking for assistance, please contact an IDHS Service Provider Agency to ask about rental assistance, find out if you’re eligible and get help with applying.

Renters can find a IDHS Service Provider at: illinoisrentalassistance.org/providers 

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Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP)

At this time, the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting new applications.

If you are at risk of eviction, please contact a legal aid organization or a HUD-approved housing counseling agency right away.

Learn More

legal aid for eviction & foreclosure prevention

Renters
Eviction Help Illinois provides renters with free eviction prevention assistance. For free legal aid to avoid eviction click here or call (855) 631-0811.‍

Homeowners
The Cook County Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation Program is a free program available countywide to help homeowners facing foreclosure. If you are a Cook County resident facing the foreclosure of your home, please call the helpline at (855) 452-2637.

If you are outside Cook County, please contact a housing counseling agency here.

Chicago Illinois Rental Assistance, Homes

Pre-Eligibility Check

To be eligible for ILRPP, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Illinois Resident

You are either a renter in Illinois or a landlord with a tenant who lives in Illinois.

Financial & Unemployment Difficulty

Your household (or your tenant’s household) experienced a financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to the coronavirus pandemic.

Housing Instability

Your household (or your tenants’ household) is behind on rent and/or is at risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

Income Limits

Your (or your tenant’s) household income is at or below the limit for your county. Click here to find the income limits for your county.

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Need technical help with applying?
Contact a Housing Stability Service Provider Near You
Before you apply, please make sure to review the list of acceptable tenant and landlord documents.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Utility Bill Assistance

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), helps eligible low-income households pay for home energy services (primarily heating during winter months). Illinois residents with a household income that does not exceed an amount determined annually by DCEO are eligible. Annual eligibility levels are determined based on available funding and may not exceed 200% of the federal nonfarm poverty level.

Utility Bill Assistance, Illinois Housing Help

Need help applying for utility bill assistance?

Find the nearest LIHEAP administering agency to you.
Where to apply
Have questions about utility bill assistance?
Call the LIHEAP Hotline at 1-833-711-0374.
Get Answers
Already applied for utility bill assistance?
Find out the status of your LIHEAP application.
Check the status

Get Help Applying For Rental Assistance

If you need rental assistance, but are not in a court proceeding, help is still available through the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Households who are behind on rent, but not yet facing eviction court proceedings, should contact an IDHS Service Provider Agency. Provider agencies will help you determine eligibility, walk you through the application process, and help you submit your application. Provider agencies can also help you find assistance with utility bills, free legal aid, and additional services.

Apply for rental assistance and explore additional support by contacting a service provider near you.

Illinois woman reading application details, Rental Assistance

looking for an affordable home?

For those looking for a new place to call home, ILHousingSearch.org allows you to search thousands of affordable, subsidized and market rate units throughout Illinois. You can customize your search based on your specific needs, budget, and desired location.

The service is also available through a toll-free, bilingual call center at (877) 428-8844.

FAQs

Have questions about Illinois rental, utility, or eviction prevention legal aid?
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