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Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA)

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

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

Program Websiteihda.org
Program StatusClosed to New Applicants
Start Date08/10/2020
Eligibility Criteria

โ€ข Household income must be at or below 80 percent of AMI prior to March 1, 2020.
โ€ข Households that are unable to pay rent beginning on 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 have a current written lease agreement.
โ€ข Must not be a recipient of rental assistance such as Section 8.
โ€ข Must not have received other forms of COVID-19-related rental assistance.
โ€ข Landlord must submit their information during the application period, and waive all late fees and penalties.

Eligible Activities
  • Rent
  • Rent arrearages
Direct Recipient of Assistance
  • Landlord
Administration StructureIHDA, in partnership with community outreach and assistance organizations
Maximum Length of Assistance

March 1 through December 30, 2020, or until $5000 is exhausted.

Maximum Assistance Available Per Household

$5,000 per household

Household Contribution RequirementsNone
Total Applications as of Date79,000
Total Household Recipients of Assistance as of Date38,000
Funding Source
  • Coronavirus Relief Funds (CARES Act)
Total Funding Amount of Program$226,000,000.00
Remaining Funds as of Date$36,000,000.00