West Cook News

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) has launched a new program aimed at helping low-income families with health, safety, accessibility, and energy efficient home repairs. 

The Home Repair and Accessibility Program will invest $15.3 million into preserving already existing affordable housing and help underserved communities financially, according to an April 26 report by WAND.

“Every Illinoisan deserves housing that is safe and accessible – no matter their economic status or zip code,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) said, according to WAND. “This $15.3 million home improvement grant program will provide low-income and disabled Illinoisans with the resources and support they need to stay in their homes – all while investing in communities that have been underserved for far too long."

Homeowners who qualify for assistance under the program could receive up to $45,000 in the form of a five-year forgivable loan to cover the costs of eligible housing repairs, WAND reported. The money will be given out through about three dozen local government and nonprofit organizations that previously ran or helped out with homeowner rehabilitation assistance programs. 

In order for a homeowner to qualify for financial help through the Home Repair and Accessibility Program, they must be at or below 80% of the area's medium income based on how many people live in the home, up-to-date on mortgage payments, and it must be a single-family dwelling, according to WAND. Rob Anthony, the president of Community Partners for Affordable Housing (CPAH), told the news outlet, "any eligible homeowner who has been putting off critical infrastructure repairs to their home should act now and contact a grantee."

The Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund, which a portion of the state's real estate transfer taxes goes toward, is funding the Home Repair and Accessibility Program. WAND noted that eligible homeowners can apply for the grants by contacting one of the organizations tasked with administering the funding.