Eligibility for the ERA Grants - A message from the Executive Director

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

State of Illinois 
Emergency Rental Assistance Grant Program

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) administers the state of Illinois Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERA). The program was created to support Illinois tenants unable to pay their rent due to a COVID-19-related loss of income. Tenants whose application is approved will receive a one-time grant of up to $5,000 paid directly to their landlord to cover missed rent payments, or to prepay rental payments through December 2020 - or until the $5,000 is exhausted (whichever comes first).

The application for the ERA grant specifically asks the question if the applicant participates in the voucher program. If the answer is yes the application is automatically denied. That's because the voucher program already has a mechanism to reduce tenant rent due to a loss of income so unfortunately, as participants in the federally subsidized Housing Choice Voucher program administered by DuPage Housing Authority

YOU ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE ERA GRANTS!

It has come to our attention that Housing Choice Voucher program participants are still making application for the grants and answering NO to the question are they participating in the voucher program with the hope of receiving the funds anyway. This is considered fraud and when found out will lead to immediate termination from the program, a requirement to repay the funds, possible fines and imprisonment.

You are cautioned to make the right decision for you and your family by not applying for the ERA Grant if you are a voucher program participant. Instead, if you had a loss of income in the household for any reason, contact your case worker and request that an interim adjustment be done to reduce your tenant rent portion.