Economic Growth Corporation (GROWTH) has announced new financial help for Illinois homeowners experiencing hardship related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (IHAF) launched today, Monday, April 11, and will run through May 31. Homeowners can apply for a housing assistance grant of up to $30,000 at illinoishousinghelp.org/ilhaf.
The program is administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), who will begin accepting ILHAF applications from homeowners to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.
Homeowners are strongly encouraged to attend an informational webinar hosted by IHDA or GROWTH to learn about the application process, program eligibility, and other free resources available to help Illinois homeowners save their home.
GROWTH has three webinars scheduled weekly. Click here for a schedule and to sign up.
The agency, which has three HUD-certified housing counselors on staff, serves these Illinois counties: Rock Island, Mercer, Henry, Whiteside, Carroll, Jo Daviess, Ogle and Sangamon as well as these zip codes: 60901 (Irwin, Kankakee) and 61604 (Peoria, Bellevue, West Peoria).
Anyone interested in applying should make an appointment quickly as GROWTH anticipates an influx of appointments, which will cause a longer waiting period for an appointment.
The ILHAF program was established by the American Rescue Plan Act to help homeowners financially impacted by COVID-19 with certain housing-related costs including mortgage issues, utility shutoff, delinquent property taxes, insurance or homeowners association fees.
Assistance will be paid directly to the mortgagor’s loan servicer, taxing body, or other approved entity on behalf of the homeowner. Homeowners are required to contact their mortgage servicer or a HUD-certified housing counseling agency to discuss loss mitigation options before they can be eligible to receive assistance.
To schedule a housing counseling appointment with GROWTH, visit its website or call (309) 788-6311.
