As COVID-19 spreads, layoffs are surging in Illinois and across the country. After Gov. Pritzker declared a state emergency, the number of new unemployment claims in Illinois spiked. Typically, housing costs are the largest monthly expense—and millions of Americans could have trouble paying rent or mortgages in the next few months.
Anticipating this economic fall out, Chicago officials have created an emergency housing grant. If you’re a renter or homeowner, here is how the city is trying to help.
If you need help paying rent or a mortgage
There’s a new COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant for emergency housing assistance, specifically for people who are financially impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. It will pay a one-time $1,000 to residents who are eligible, which includes renters, homeowners, and unhoused people who have lost jobs or a reduction in hours. This also includes undocumented residents.
The application window is short—between Friday, March 27 to Wednesday, April 1. So, if you need help submit information through an online form. Applicants who are selected will be entered into a lottery and hear back in a few days from the Department of Housing.
Specifically for renters, there is an emergency financial assistance in order to prevent homelessness or those who are at risk of eviction. In order to apply, residents must get an application packet from one of the city’s community service centers and mail it in (this process still stands, even with the stay-at-home order). Once approved, the payments will be made directly to the property owner or landlord.
If you are concerned about a possible eviction
The city won’t enforce evictions or foreclosures until April 14. This means if you are unable to pay your rent, you can’t be evicted within this timeframe. An eviction must be ordered by a judge and enforced by the county sheriff—it’s illegal for landlords to lockout or kick out tenants.
In a recent address, Lightfoot asked property owners and landlords to “give tenants some grace.” A group of aldermen and housing coalitions are demanding more. Critics of Lightfoot argue that the city must extend the hold on evictions and foreclosures and also freeze rent and mortgages in order to really prevent housing instability and homelessness.
If you can’t make utility payments
The Illinois Commerce Commission ordered all public gas, electricity, water and sewage utility companies to stop service disconnections and waive late fees until May 1, or until the state of emergency is lifted. While ComEd and Peoples Gas are private, both of these companies have also agreed not to shut-off service or charge late fees until May 1.
If your lease is ending and you have to move
The good news here is that mover are considered essential services—so if you’ve hired a company to help schlep your belonging they are still allowed to do that. Hardware stores are also still open if you need supplies like boxes and packing tape. If you’d rather stay put, it’s possible to negotiate with your landlord. But, there’s no city mandate that forces property owners to extend leases.
For specific questions, it’s best to call the hotline run by Metropolitan Tenants Organization at (773) 292-4988. Plus, we have a rundown of renters’ rights everyone should know.
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March 28, 2020 at 02:08AM
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Paying rent, mortgage during coronavirus: Chicago assistance resources - Curbed Chicago
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