Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Programs

Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Programs: What’s Open Now

The Emergency Rental Assistance programs below are currently open! There is limited rental assistance still available if you are not yet in court, but not everyone will qualify. Rental assistance may also be available once you are in eviction court.

The Emergency Rental Assistance programs below are currently open. You may apply for multiple programs but you can only accept assistance from one.

Cook County

Court-based Rental Assistance

Tenants who have an eviction case in court may be able to access Court-Based Rental Assistance to prevent eviction.

• For all Cook County residents including City of Chicago, visit www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap for more information and a link to apply online. If you need additional assistance, call (866) 454-3571 and choose option #2 to speak with a CBRAP agent. The CBRAP call center is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Tuesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Outside of Cook County

Court-based Rental Assistance

The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides funding to Illinois tenants and landlords across the state (outside of Cook County) who have pending cases in eviction court.

The CBRA Program is managed by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. For more information, visit: www.illinoishousinghelp.org/cbrap

Get Ready to Apply!

Most programs will require similar documentation. Here’s the documentation that needs to be submitted for eligible tenants.

You will need:

• An email address. Tenants and landlords will both need email addresses. If you don’t have an email address, you can create one for free using Google, Yahoo, or any other free email provider.

• A photo ID. This could be a State ID, Driver’s License, Passport, or an official photo ID issued by another government body, such as the City of Chicago CityKey ID card.

• A copy of the lease or rental agreement. If you are applying as a tenant, you should ask your landlord or property manager for a copy if you do not have one.

• Proof of total annual household income. Proof of total annual household income can include, but is not limited to:
  • paystubs or wage statements,
  • a W-2 or other tax document(s),
  • Social Security, SSI, or SSDI award letter or documentation,
  • proof of TANF or other cash assistance,
  • other documents showing regular payments received by members of your household.
  • If you are a tenant: tell your landlord or property manager that you are going to apply for rental assistance and ask them for the email address and phone number you should use for them on the application.
  • If you are a property owner: tell your tenant(s) that you are going to apply for rental assistance and ask them what contact information you should use for them on the application.

  

  You do not need to have a social security number or proof of immigration status to apply for help. These programs will be open to all renters who meet the geographic and income requirements regardless of immigration status. Rental assistance is not a “public-charge” benefit.

  Legal Help Available

  Chicago and Suburban Cook County

  • Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt (CCLAHD)
    • CCLAHD provides free legal assistance to unrepresented tenants AND landlords, regardless of income.

    Outside of Cook County

    • Eviction Help Illinois (also available by phone at 855-631-0811)

    The Preservation Compact worked in partnership with the State, Cook County, and City of Chicago to create this webpage. Visit The Preservation Compact’s main website to learn more about strategies for preserving affordable rental housing.