Property owners who wish to participate in the Emergency Rental Assistance program offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) should remind their tenants to apply as soon as possible, beginning on Monday, Aug. 10. The funds are expected to be exhausted quickly.

Tenants who believe they are eligible, and who wish to apply, must submit an application online along with the required documentation. Once they apply, their landlord will be immediately notified and required to submit additional information to complete the process. Applications will be accepted online at era.ihda.org from Aug. 10 through Aug. 21. However, the state may stop accepting applications prior to Aug. 21 if the volume is large.

The statewide moratorium on evictions in Illinois remains in effect through Aug. 22. However, if a tenant is awarded funds from this program, and the landlord chooses to accept the funds, the landlord must agree not to evict the tenant for the duration of the program. Other conditions may apply as well, such as agreeing not to charge the tenant late fees for missed payments.

Landlords are not required to participate in the Emergency Rental Assistance program with their tenants. If they chose to do so, they must provide documents such as the lease, proof of past due rent and other financial and applicable property management information.

The assistance consists of $5,000 for back rent and prepay future rent through 2020. If approved, payment will be wired directly to the landlord within 10 business days or, if mailed, a check should arrive within 15-20 days.

Only about 30,000 people will receive the assistance.

Find out about IHDA’s selection process and additional information on eligibility criteria (pdf).

Also check out, download and share our attached frequently asked questions summary (pdf).