DeKALB — The Illinois Housing and Development Authority (IHDA) announced that it will be delaying the reopening of the Illinois Rental Payment Program on Monday (ILRPP), to Dec. 6 instead of Monday, Nov. 8. The money that would be distributed this month will still be distributed to approved Illinoisans before the end of the year.

Applications will be accepted beginning Monday, Dec. 6 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan 9 at the Illinois Housing website.

This delay is because vendors hired by the authority need more time to ensure that an application platform is properly functioning. 

In the first round of the Illinois Rental Payment Program, more than 57,000 applicants were approved and the IHDA paid out nearly $540 million on behalf of renters experiencing pandemic related hardships, according to the news release. Since 2020, the state of Illinois has provided over $776 million in emergency rental assistance to more than 103,100 Illinois seniors, families and others. This upcoming round is expected to provide more than $250 million to renters and landlords in an effort to prevent evictions and keep families safe and secure while they regain their financial footing, assisting more than 27,000 Illinois households.

The IHDA state that they are continuously striving to improve the application process so landlords and tenants can quickly get the funds for benign negatively impacted by COVID-19.

“We recognize this postponement may cause concern for tenants facing eviction, but there is help for renters available now.” said IHDA Executive Director Kristin Faust.

The IHDA remains committed to the original timeline even though the application date is delayed.

The Illinois Department of Human Services is currently accepting applications for rental assistance apart from this program, according to a press release from the State of Illinois. Contact an IDHS Service Provider Agency and they will help determine if you are eligible for rental assistance. A list of Provider Agencies, as well as organizations helping with utility bills, free legal aid and additional services can be found at their website for the Illinois Rental Assistance Program. 

There are also options for those who have active eviction cases. Tenants may apply for up to 12 months of past due rent and up to three months of future rent payments using their eviction court case number at the Illinois Rental Payment Program website. 

In this application round, assistance will cover up to 18 months of emergency rental payments, including up to 15 months of missed payments and up to three months of future rent payments. Approved applicants will receive up to $25,000 paid to the landlord on their behalf. If a landlord does not participate in the program, tenants may receive payments directly.

Tenant eligibility requirements: 

• Household lives in Illinois and rents their home as their primary residence.
• Household must have experienced a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the pandemic.
• Household income is below 80% of the Area Median Income, adjusted for household size.
• Household must have an unpaid rent balance.
• Proof of citizenship is not required. Rental assistance is not a “public charge” benefit.
• Tenants residing in state or federally-subsidized housing are eligible to apply.

For additional information and updates, please visit the Illinois Housing website.