Housing

Get more information on assistance with housing issues:

Eviction Moratorium Updates

Illinois November 14, 2020 Update

Know your rights! On November 14, 2020, protections for Illinois tenants were changed. Landlords can now file evictions unless tenants give them a written declaration that they should be protected by the COVID Eviction Moratorium. This update was initially in effect through December 12th and extended through February 6th, 2021.

Tenants: Your landlord should give you a copy before they give you a new five-day notice. If your landlord doesn’t give it to you, you can make one at Rentervention.com.

What does the declaration say? Tenants must swear that they:

1. Fell behind on rent because of COVID
2. Expect to make less than $99k this year ($198k for couples)
3. Used best efforts to make partial payments (considering other costs like food, medicine, transportation, utilities, school supplies, winter clothes, and child care), and,
4. Would become homeless or have to double-up if evicted

National Eviction Moratorium FAQ for Renters.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) took unprecedented action on September 1 by issuing a temporary national moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent to help prevent the spread of coronavirus. Citing the historic threat to public health posed by COVID-19, the CDC declared that an eviction moratorium would help ensure people are able to practice social distancing and comply with stay-at-home orders. The moratorium takes effect September 4 and will last until December 31, covering tens of millions of renters at risk of eviction. Read the FAQ above to learn more about your rights and responsibilities.

COVID-19 Housing Resources:

Metropolitan Tenants Organization
Housing Action Illinois
National Fair Housing Alliance & Foreclosure Relief Summary
Legal Aid Chicago COVID-19 Updates for Homeowners
LCBH COVID-19 and Renters Rights

Emergency Heating Repair Program

The Emergency Heating Repair Program is a grant program available to income-eligible Chicago homeowners to repair or replace their furnaces. An application is available by calling 311, by request through the CHI311 app or by downloading the application packet at this link. Follow the instructions for detailed information on completing and submitting the forms and all required documents for processing.

Applicants
Eligible properties must be located in Chicago, habitable, owner-occupied, and not at risk of foreclosure. The applicant's name must be listed on the deed to the property for a minimum of one year at the time of application. All applicants must be income-eligible and can only receive a one-time service for roof and porch repair/replacement. Exception to the one-time assistance policy may be granted to homeowners who face heating emergencies even though they already have received roof or porch assistance.

Households earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) are eligible to participate in the program. The total gross income of all owners and other household members shall be included and may not exceed this limit. The gross incomes of all adults, 18 and older, who reside in the property, are included to determine income eligibility.

Garfield Green (C40) Community Garfield Park Updates:

View a presentation from the Garfield Park Community Council Land Use and Open Space Committee meeting on October 28, 2020 to learn about the brief history and updates on the C40 project, which is a redevelopment of 2 vacant, city-owned lots to become an affordable housing community with neighborhood-serving retail. Community feedback is encouraged.

Rental Assistance Grants:

If you have experienced financial hardship as a result of COVID-19, you may qualify for up to $3,000 of assistance from the City of Chicago to pay your rent. Learn more about the requirements on our Rental Assistance Grants page.

Illinois Solar for All:

This program creates greater access to the clean energy economy for low-income communities through incentives that help make solar installations more affordable and result in measurable savings for participants. Read the fact sheet, and contact La Shone Kelly at lashone@gpcommunitycouncil.org to learn more about the program.

Preserving Affordability Together: A Blue Print for Community Action:

a community-created booklet that shares recommendations from an eight-month process to develop recommendations to preserve affordability in East Garfield Park. Created with Metropolitan Planning Council and Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University.