Gov. J.B. Pritzker today announced a new state rental assistance programs for low and moderate income tenants who are unable to pay rent because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The program administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority will offer up to $25,000 to cover a maximum of 15 months of assistance.
Priority is given to households with incomes less than 50% of area median income and to households with one or more members that have been unemployed for at least 90 days.
Aid is limited to those with incomes no more than 80% of median income. In Cook County that limit ranges from $52,200 for a one-person household to $98,450 for an eight-person household. Applicants also need to currently be behind on their rent payments.
If a household is approved for the grants, the money will be sent directly to their landlord or housing provider.
At the news conference Pritzker said officials will work to bring an end to the state’s eviction moratorium by August with a “gradual phase-out over the next few months.”