Applications Being Accepted for Homeowner Assistance
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program is now accepting applications for assistance. Illinois homeowners who have failed to pay their mortgage owing to COVID-19 will benefit from the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF). Beginning April 11, 2022, the state will accept applications from homeowners for up to $30,000.00 in grants to help them pay off or minimize past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance, or homeowner/condo association fees to prevent delinquency, default, and foreclosure.
“More than 5,000 homeowners struggling to make ends meet have applied for assistance, and I want Illinoisans to know there is still mortgage assistance available for several thousand more,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “A good life, a good job, the ability for kids to focus in their classrooms — it all starts with having a roof over your head. And we know that especially for families of color, maintaining homeownership can be a way to a better path for you to build up personal assets and open up more doors for your children. It’s crucial that we protect family stability from getting washed away by the pandemic.”
The Embarras River Basin Agency, or ERBA, has collaborated with IHDA to cover the counties of Alexander, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jackson, Jasper, Lawrence, Massac, Richland, and Saline. Prior to asking for assistance, call for a one-on-one consultation. ERBA is a non-profit housing counseling organization that can help homeowners overcome technological and/or language hurdles, as well as those who are currently facing foreclosure.
To qualify for ILHAF assistance, Illinois homeowners must have experienced a financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020 (including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020, but continued after that date). They also must currently own and occupy their home in Illinois as their primary residence, be at least 30 days late on their monthly housing payments, and have a household income at or below 150% of the area median income. Assistance will be paid directly to the mortgagor’s loan servicer, taxing body, or other approved entity on behalf of the homeowner.
Interested homeowners are strongly encouraged to view an information webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-lMQ9lr1r0&t=31s
Contact the ERBA housing counselor for your county:
- Cumberland, Jackson, Saline, Alexander, and Massac counties call Sandy at 217-923-3113, ext. 229.
- Jasper, Richland, Lawrence, and Crawford counties call Maicie at 618-783-3987, ext. 584.
