(Updated Dec. 6) Housing providers who have tenants behind on rent due to COVID-19 may be able to recover some or all of that unpaid rent through the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP), according to the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).

Tenants are eligible to receive a one-time grant of up to $25,000 paid directly to their housing providers on their behalf. However, if housing providers choose not to complete their applications, tenants may receive ILRPP payments directly. Grant amounts will vary and will be matched to the specific need of tenants.

Applications can be accessed at www.IllinoisHousingHelp.org and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m., Sun., Jan. 9, 2022.

Assistance will cover up to 18 months of emergency rental payments, including up to 15 months of missed rent payments and up to three months of future rent payments. Rent owed from June 2020 through April 2022 may be paid for with ILRPP funds.

Households that received federal rental assistance previously may not receive more than 18 months of total assistance, regardless of the source of the assistance provided. In addition, the combined assistance received from ILRPP may not exceed a total of $25,000. Finally, households that received emergency rental payment assistance previously may not receive further ILRPP payments for those same months.

IHDA offers guidance on acceptable forms of identification, proof of address and proof of 2020 income for tenants, as well as proof of identity, proof of property ownership and proof of past due rent for housing providers. IHDA also offers answers to frequently asked questions in eight different languages, explanations of eligibility requirements, a list of housing stability service providers and more.

(Nov. 8 headline) Delay pushes back second round of rental assistance to Mon., Dec. 6

(Nov. 8) Housing providers and tenants negatively affected by the COVID-19 pandemic will have to wait another month to submit applications for the second round of the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP).  

Saturday’s announcement by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), delayed the second-round kickoff to Dec. 6 to ensure the online application will work properly. While the process will now run through 11:59 p.m. Jan. 9, IHDA Executive Director Kristen Faust said the agency still plans to distribute the bulk of the rental assistance money to tenants and housing providers in December. IHDA offers a website that gives details about applying as well as updates on the program at illinoishousinghelp.org.

The state has already distributed $505 million of 2021 emergency rental assistance from the first round of federal government assistance for tenants and housing providers. After receiving more than 89,000 applications, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IDHA) helped 57,000 households through ILRPP.

During the first round, Illinois residents affected by COVID-19 were able to apply for up to $25,000 in emergency rental assistance, covering up to 15 months of past due rent and up to three months of future rent payments.

In September, the Illinois Supreme Court announced the creation of the Court-Based Rental Assistance Program to assist housing providers and tenants outside of Cook County. Qualifying tenants with active cases in eviction court can get up to 12 months of past due rent and up to three months of future rent payments. Those who apply for ILRPP assistance cannot apply to this program too.

Tenants in need of immediate rental assistance can apply immediately to the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). Households looking for assistance should contact an IDHS service provider agency to ask about rental assistance. Provider agencies will help them determine if they are eligible and help them apply for rental assistance. A list of provider agencies, as well as organizations helping with utility bills, free legal aid, and additional services can be found at www.illinoisrentalassistance.org/.