Renters and landlords experiencing pandemic-related financial hardships will be able to apply for help through the Illinois Housing Development Authority early next month.

In the first round of the Illinois Rental Payment program that was launched in May, the Illinois Housing Development Authority reviewed all completed applications, approved more than 57,000 applications and paid out nearly $540 million on behalf of renters experiencing pandemic-related hardships. Since 2020, the state has provided over $776 million in emergency rental assistance to help keep more than 103,100 Illinois seniors, families and others safely housed.

The December 2021 reopening of Illinois Rental Payment program will provide more than $250 million to renters and landlords in an effort to prevent evictions and keep families safe and secure while they regain their financial footing. The additional funding is expected to assist more than 27,000 Illinois households. The Illinois Housing Development Authority is currently working closely with its hired technology vendor partners to address unexpected issues and ensure the system is stable when the portal opens.

Tenant eligibility requirements include:

• Household lives in Illinois and rents their home as their primary residence.
• Household must have experienced a financial hardship directly or indirectly due to the pandemic.
• Household income is below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), adjusted for household size.
• Household must have an unpaid rent balance.
• Proof of citizenship is not required. Rental assistance is not a “public charge” benefit.
• Tenants residing in state- or federally-subsidized housing are eligible to apply.

For additional information and updates, people can visit illinoishousinghelp.org.

Applications will now be accepted beginning  Monday, Dec. 6 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 9 at illinoishousinghelp.org.