FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 23, 2021
CONTACT: Andrew or Gary Mack
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County and State Partner to Provide Rental Assistance
$20.6 million will help pay rent and utilities during pandemic
JOLIET—The Will County Board took another step toward providing rental assistance to county residents that have been impacted by the pandemic. The Board authorized an intergovernmental agreement at their March board meeting with the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to coordinate Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) for individuals and families struggling to pay rent in Will County.
As part of the pandemic relief plan, the United States Treasury granted $20.6 million to Will County for rental assistance. The County will work with IHDA, which also received a grant from the federal government, so services are not duplicated and maximum relief is provided for residents. The ERA will provide direct financial assistance for rent and utilities.
“Not only have residents had to deal with the sickness and death of the pandemic, but many have lost jobs and income which threatens their housing,” said County Board Majority Leader Meta Mueller (Aurora). “Rental assistance will help to stabilize these individuals and families as the economy returns to full strength.”
Up to nine months of back rent and three months of future rental expense are covered by the assistance. The assistance will also help landlords who have seen rents dry up even as the cost of maintaining their buildings continues.
“Landlords still have mortgage payments to make, maintenance bills and taxes to pay,” Minority Whip Judy Ogalla (Monee). “The financial strain of the pandemic is felt across the spectrum. This relief is important for renters, landlords, and the economy overall.”
Renter households under 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) will be targeted, for example, a family of four making $72,800 or less. Among that group, households below 50 percent of AMI and the long-term unemployed would be prioritized. Ninety percent of the funds the county received must be used for rent and utility assistance with only ten percent allowed for administrative costs and housing ability services.
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