Rep. Barbara Hernandez Announces Grants of up to $30,000 in Housing Relief for Eligible Homeowners

AURORA, Ill. – State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, is raising awareness of mortgage grant assistance available from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) through the Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF), which supports homeowners financially hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Housing insecurity is a terrible burden to live with, and COVID-19 has forced too many Illinoisans—kids especially—to consider that they may not always have roofs over their heads. I’m pleased to announce that IHDA grants of up to $30,000 in free mortgage assistance are available to homeowners facing insecurity due to pandemic-related financial challenges,” Hernandez said. “Similar assistance grants have already done so much for our community, I urge everyone dealing with these problems to apply when submissions are accepted starting in April.”

ILHAF will provide up to $30,000 in free mortgage assistance per homeowner. Aid will be based on a series of criteria, including degree of need and the severity of the impact COVID-19 had. IHDA will begin accepting applications for funding in April. More extensive program information and updates on applications can be found at illinoishousinghelp.org.

Hernandez’s district previously received $3,411,834.36 in rental assistance through another aid program. She has consistently supported housing assistance measures throughout her tenure as a representative and especially following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. She sits on the House Housing committee, and cast numerous votes to support major housing security legislation, including the COVID-19 Emergency Rental Assistance Program Act that she co-sponsored.

“Illinois has so far done an excellent job offering housing relief options. These actions have not eliminated housing insecurity, but they prevented COVID-19 from creating a full-blown housing crisis,” Hernandez said. “This should serve as motivation to continue funding robust housing relief measures, and I will continue to fight for more.”