On March 13, 2021, the nation will mark the one-year anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past year, the rights and safety of tenants have captured the news headlines, and at the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), we also recognize the incredible financial stress this has caused for housing providers. As a result, we are excited to share that coming in April, IHDA will launch the Illinois Rental Payment Program ("ILRPP"), an emergency rental assistance program designed to support households that are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Approved ILRPP applicants may receive up to 15 months of assistance - past due rent beginning with May 2020 through March 2021 and three months of prospective rent. The maximum grant amount is $20,000. If your tenant received a $5,000 Emergency Rental Assistance grant in 2020, you are still eligible to apply, but assistance will be limited to 2021. The grant will be paid to housing providers in the form of a check, on behalf of the tenant.
The 2021 ILRPP begins with you, the housing provider. You may initiate applications on behalf of as many of rental households that you believe meet the following eligibility requirements:
Household has experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19,
Household is behind on their rent, and
Household is under the 80% AMI income limit. If you are unsure of the household's income, we still encourage you to apply, as actual income eligibility will ultimately be verified by the tenant.
To prepare to initiate an application for ILRPP funds on behalf of your tenant, you should assemble and be prepared to upload the following information and documents for each tenant that you believe meets the requirements:
A current email address for the tenant for whom you are seeking assistance;
Documentation detailing past due rent by month;
Proof of property ownership;
A copy of a fully executed property management agreement (if property manager will handle receipt and application of the tenant's grant funds); and
A copy of the fully executed current lease, if available.
Please look for additional information at www.ihda.org in the upcoming weeks.
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