Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program

The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides funding to Illinois tenants and landlords across Illinois who have pending cases in eviction court. The program is only available to litigants in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to $25,000 in emergency rental payments that can include up to 15 months of past-due rent and 3 months of future rent payments to prevent eviction.

‍You may be eligible for CBRAP if:

  • You are in a court eviction proceeding due to nonpayment.
  • You have experienced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Proof of citizenship is not required. Rental assistance is not a “public charge” benefit.
  • Your household income is at or below 80% of the area median income, adjusted for household size. (See the income limits for your county here.)
  • You rent/ let your home in Illinois.
  • A sample CBRAP Grant Agreement for tenants is available here.
  • A sample CBRAP Grant Agreement for landlords is available here.
Illinois homes, receiving rental assistance

Documentation Requirements

Tenants

  • Eviction court complaint, summons and court-case number
  • Government-issued photo ID (regardless of expiration date)
  • Proof of address
  • Evidence of household income
  • Evidence of past-due rent
  • Current signed lease (if available)
  • Proof of public assistance (if applicable)

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A complete list of acceptable documents is available here.

Landlords

  • Eviction court complaint, summons and court case number
  • Proof of Identity or LLC, Certificate of Good Standing, or Articles of Incorporation
  • Proof of ownership
  • Evidence of past-due rent
  • Current signed lease (if available)
  • Fully executed and current property management agreement (if applicable)

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A complete list of acceptable documents is available here.

Click Here to Apply

What Will Happen After You Apply?

CBRAP offers an expedited review and payment process compared to other rental assistance programs offered by the state. IHDA will notify applicants of funding eligibility upon completion of application review. IHDA will issue payment within three business days of the notification that the application has been approved. (Delivery of check by USPS will vary.)

Already applied? Check the status of your CBRAP application here. 

Is your landlord unresponsive? Find information about Tenant Direct payments here.

Need Help Applying?

Locate a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor near you to help with accessing the online application, assembling the required documents, or finding other housing help.

Resources for Tenants and Landlords in Eviction Court

Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) Housing Stability Services (HSS) grant application RFA

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (“IHDA”) is pleased to announce its request for applications for Housing Stability Services(“HSS”) for the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (“CBRAP”). 
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More information on CBRAP will be posted on the COVID-19 Housing Resources Information page on IHDA’s website as it becomes available.           


Housing counseling agencies, community-based organizations, and non-profit organizations including legal assistance groups are eligible to apply if they have experience with information and outreach, and client intake and management procedures. IHDA is particularly seeking organizations with prior experience and expertise in eviction court advocacy, and/or developing and maintaining relationships with eviction court judges to connect with clients in need of housing services support.
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The HSS CBRAP application form can be downloaded here


Completed applications will be accepted up to the deadline of Monday, November 27, 2023 by 12:00 pm CDT.

IHDA will be hosting an Application Tutorial Webinar to discuss the application process and general program details. This will include an interactive Q&A session.

Registration details for the webinar are listed below:      

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