CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago residents who’ve had a tough time coming up with rent money during the pandemic could be in line for help from the city starting Monday.
The application period for the Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) will open for tenants and landlords beginning at 9 a.m. on Monday and continuing through 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, June 8.
If residents qualify and are chosen for the grants, renters or landlords can get 12 months of past due rent money and three months of future rent.
To be eligible, tenants must:
• Live in Chicago
• Have suffered a hardship due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduced hours, or illness within the household
• Be at risk of housing instability
• Have earned less than the maximum household income listed below during 2020 or at the time of application
Landlords can apply for assistance on behalf of a tenant. Landlords may also register their properties using the online application and be notified if a tenant has started the application process for rental assistance.
Tenants must have the following documents to complete an application:
• A government-issued photo ID. Eligible documents: driver's license, state ID, CityKey ID card, green cards, U.S. or foreign passports, or any other U.S. or foreign photo ID
• Proof of address (if the address on your ID is not current). Eligible documents: a bank or credit card statement, utility bill, lease, or other document showing your current address
• Proof of household income. Eligible documents: paystubs, tax forms, bank statements, signed statement from your employer or case worker, or a signed statement from the applicant
• Proof of amount of monthly rent paid. Eligible documents: lease, statement from landlord, bank statements, check stubs showing a pattern of paying rent, or other documents showing a pattern of paying rent
Tenants who do not have one of these documents will be eligible for three months of rental assistance based on typical housing costs for their zip code.
• Most recent utility bill (if applying for utility assistance)
• Landlord's contact information (email or phone number)
Landlords must have the following documents to complete an application:
• Proof of ownership
• Eligible documents: tax forms, property tax bill, deed, or mortgage statement
• Property management agreement (if a property manager is applying on behalf of the owner)
• Tax Identification Number of the owner
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