(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — The state’s pandemic-related moratorium on evictions is scheduled to end Oct. 3, but the Salvation Army reminds residents there is help for tenants or mortgage-holders.
Salvation Army Capt. Xavier Montenegro of the Metropolitan Division said the Salvation Army wants to prevent people from becoming homeless.
“We know that there’s a quarter of a million households in Illinois that are behind rent. In Cook County alone, there are 116,000 households that are behind in rent,” he said Wednesday.
The Salvation Army also provides utility bill and food assistance to those who need it. People who need to apply for rental or mortgage help should go to their nearest Salvation Army center or go online to salarmychicago.org.
“We often see people and they come to us and they’re desperate,” Montenegro said.
One Northwest Side resident received a month’s rent from the Salvation Army, a little over $1,000.
“It took a big load off,” said the resident, who is named Robert.
Robert, 56, said he’s on disability upon retiring after 30 years as a union laborer. He said he found himself a full-time dad when his ex-wife died; suddenly he had two teenage sons living with him.
Having them doing remote learning last school year caused his electric and food bills to skyrocket.
“The computers, the lights being on constantly. It was just a lot,” he said.
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