Beginning today, Lake County renters who faced financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic may apply for the new Lake County Rental Assistance (LCRA) Program, which provides help for individuals paying rent. The application period will run from Oct. 11 - Nov. 15, 2022.
Lake County is working with community partners to help keep families in their homes as we continue to work together and move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households may receive up to six months of assistance with rent. This can include up to three months future rent and up to six months of assistance total. Households can receive up to six months of assistance total, including assistance from past programs such as the Lake County Federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program (FERA).
"People continue to struggle from the hard-hit financial consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic," said Lake County Board Chair Sandy Hart. "Lake County is committed to doing all we can to aid in recovery. We are pleased to be administering this $6 million program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and the federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) program to help our residents pay their rent and enable them to stay in their homes."
To qualify for help, residents must:
Examples of financial hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic include job loss or furlough, reduced work hours due to school closures, and unexpected medical or other expenses.
Examples of what counts as being at risk of homelessness or housing instability include having a past due rent or utility bill, receiving an eviction notice, having had to move in temporarily with another household because you couldn't afford your rent, spending a high proportion of your income on housing costs and more.
To learn more about who is eligible, and for a link to the application, visit lakecountyil.gov/renthelp.
If you have questions or need help filling out the application, including questions about what documents you need, please call 211 from anywhere in Lake County or text your zip code to 898211 to get connected to someone who can help.
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