Ness Highlights New Rental Relief Program

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Suzanne Ness, D-Crystal Lake, is encouraging tenants and landlords who have experienced financial hardship because of the pandemic to apply for relief funding through the new Illinois Rental Payment Program.

“As families continue to face financial hardships and not be able to afford their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that we have government programs that are able to assist,” said Ness. “I am very pleased to see the second round of rental assistance is estimated to support over 120,000 households in Illinois under the Rental Payment Program, helping both tenants and landlords alike.”

The Illinois Rental Payment Program is open to all Illinois landlords and tenants who meet certain eligibility requirements. Some of the program’s requirements for renters include being at least one month behind on rent and having a household income that is not greater than 80% of their area’s median income. To apply, housing providers and tenants must submit a joint application together. Applicants can receive up to $25,000 in assistance through the program. Relief funds can cover the cost of three months of upcoming rent payments and 12 months of past missed rent payments. Applications started by landlords are currently being accepted and will remain open until June 7. Tenant-initiated applications will be available from June 9 through June 28. To apply or view a complete list of eligibility requirements, please visit https://www.ihda.org/about-ihda/illinois-rental-payment-program/.

The launch of the Illinois Rental Payment Program coincides with Gov. JB Pritzker’s announcement last week that the state’s eviction moratorium is set to be phased out in the coming months. The moratorium is expected to be completely lifted in August.

“Families should not have to be in a position where they do not know if they will be able to keep themselves and their families in their homes,” said Ness. “This sweeping rental relief initiative will help thousands of families in Illinois, and I encourage all tenants and landlords who need assistance, especially those who will be impacted by the lifting of the eviction moratorium, to apply for assistance through this program.”