The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced Wednesday, March 30, that the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) will open on April 11 to help homeowners who have fallen behind on mortgage payments and related housing expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, May 31.
Eligible households will be able to apply for up to $30,000 in free assistance to pay past due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance and delinquent homeowner and/or condo association fees.
Homeowners in need of assistance can find more information on program eligibility and how they can prepare to apply at www.illinoishousinghelp.org or call 866-454-3571 to connect with a ILHAF program partner for assistance at no cost.
Administered by IHDA, ILHAF is designed to help homeowners avoid mortgage delinquencies, defaults, foreclosures and help prevent displacement of households experiencing financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Homeowners in communities that have been disproportionately impacted by the health and economic effects of the pandemic will be prioritized in the distribution of assistance, and IHDA has partnered with organizations across the state to help homeowners in hard-hit communities apply and receive their fair share of support.
To qualify for ILHAF, Illinois homeowners must have experienced a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, such as lost income or increased expenses, on or after Jan. 21, 2020. They must also currently own and occupy their home in Illinois as their primary residence, be at least 30 days late on their mortgage or other homeowner expenses, and have a household income at or below 150% of the area median income.
With the ILHAF application date approaching, there are important steps homeowners can take today to prepare. Homeowners should consult with a HUD-certified housing counselor or talk to their mortgage servicer about mitigation options as soon as possible. A certificate from a HUD-certified housing counselor or a letter from a mortgage servicer detailing efforts to resolve the delinquency is required to apply for ILHAF assistance.
In preparation for applying for ILHAF assistance, homeowners should also have the following documentation ready:
- Proof of identification, including but not limited to a driver’s license, state ID, permanent residency card or other form of ID.
- Proof of household income, including but not limited to tax returns, pay stubs, or other documentation.
- Proof of occupancy, including but not limited to a bank statement, cell phone bill, credit/debit card statement, or other documentation.
- Proof of ownership, including but not limited to a property tax bill, property deed, or other documentation.
- Delinquency statement, including but not limited to a mortgage statement, property tax statement, insurance statement, or HOA/Condo Association statement.