Make plans to attend: NCSHA's Annual Conference & Showplace Learn more.

Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA)

Published on September 2, 2020
State AgencyIllinois Housing Development Authority
Program NameEmergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA)
Program Description

A new program established to provide financial relief for homeowners who have experienced a loss of income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Program Websiteihda.org
Program StatusClosed to New Applicants
Start Date08/24/2020
Eligibility Criteria

โ€ข Household income must be at or below 120 percent of AMI prior to March 1, 2020.
โ€ข An adult member of household had a loss of income due to COVID-19 on or after March 1, 2020.
โ€ข Must reside in a property consisting of no more than two units, whose mortgage was current as of February 29, 2020, and the balance for which does not exceed $425,000.
โ€ข Must be for a first lien mortgage on a primary residence.
โ€ข The home mortgage lender must be willing to accept payments on mortgages that are delinquent or in active forbearance beginning on or after March 1, 2020.
โ€ข Must not have received other forms of COVID-19-related mortgage assistance.

Eligible Activities
  • Mortgage (may include principal and interest)
  • Mortgage arrearages
  • Mortgage insurance
  • Property Tax
Direct Recipient of Assistance
  • Mortgage Servicer
Administration StructureIHDA, in partnership with Community Outreach and Assistance organizations
Maximum Length of Assistance

March through December 2020, or until $15,000 is exhausted.

Maximum Assistance Available Per Household

$15,000 per household

Household Contribution RequirementsNone
Total Applications as of Date18,000
Total Household Recipients of Assistance as of Date9,476
Funding Source
  • Coronavirus Relief Funds (CARES Act)
Total Funding Amount of Program$98,500,000.00
Remaining Funds as of Date$14,500,000.00
Date of Entry or Changes12/17/2020