Governor JB Pritzker praised his administration for working quickly to protect homeowners during the pandemic when he announced the $30,000 housing aide for Illinois homeowners.

“My administration worked more quickly than any other state in the country to distribute over $1 billion to prevent renters and homeowners from losing their housing in the pandemic, and this next phase will provide hundreds of millions more in 2022,” said Pritzker. “Come April, residents struggling to keep a roof over their heads will be able to access up to $30,000 in mortgage relief. This funding marks another step forward in our work to ensure all our residents have what they need for themselves and their families.”

This assistance fund is to help homeowners impacted by COVID-19 due to defaults, foreclosures and mortgage delinquencies. The U.S. Department of the Treasury requires that the assistance be a “last resort” effort and requires homeowners to seek out other options first. 

Applicants must provide evidence that they communicated with their mortgage provider or participated in HUD-approved counseling before applying. For more information and updates visit the IHDA website. 

In order to qualify for the assistance fund, homeowners must have been impacted by the pandemic after Jan. 21, 2020, or if the hardship began before Jan. 21, 2020, and continued after. They must own and occupy their home and be at least 30 days late in their monthly payment. 

Homeowners can apply for the ILHAF assistance even if they received assistance through IHDA in the past, but if they received assistance to cover payments in 2020 then they may only be eligible to receive ILHAF assistance based on 2021 costs.