The  2021 Illinois Rental Payment Program application for landlords ENDS TONIGHT. Please visit the application site at ilrpp.ihda.org.

You may find more program information including our “How to Apply” video, links to our Housing Stability Service (HSS) providers, FAQs and other resources here.

To Apply, please click HERE

The Chicago Department of Transportation announced that it has scheduled the full overnight closure of South Lake Shore Drive starting at 11 p.m. on Wednesday June 9 until 5 a.m. Thursday, weather permitting, for demolition of the old 43rd Street Pedestrian Bridge. The work is part of the project to construct a new, fully accessible pedestrian and bike bridge over Lake Shore Drive and the railroad tracks.

During the overnight closure, vehicular traffic will be detoured via Cottage Grove Avenue. Drivers are urged to take alternate routes, including the Dan Ryan Expressway, to avoid delays.

Southbound South Lake Shore Drive will be closed at Oakwood Boulevard/39th Street and traffic will be detoured to Cottage Grove to 47th Street and back to southbound Lake Shore Drive.

Northbound South Lake Shore Drive will be closed at 47th Street and detoured via 47th Street to Cottage Grove to Oakwood Boulevard and back to northbound South Lake Shore Drive.

The new replacement bridge will feature a similar, curving, S-shaped design to the new companion bridge at 41st Street that opened in 2018. It will be fully ADA accessible with ramps to accommodate bicycles, wheel chairs and emergency vehicles. The new bridge is expected open for use at the end of 2022. The old bridge was not equipped with ramps and was not ADA accessible or able to accommodate bikes.

Illinois Rental Payment Program: Applicants are eligible for up to 15 months of assistance. The grant can cover the past due rent from the previous 12 months and future rental assistance for the next three months, if deemed necessary. The maximum grant amount is $25,000. Tenant household income must be below 80% AMI. Funds will be distributed to the provider/landlord. Housing providers/landlords may initiate a joint application starting Monday, May 17 through Monday, June 7.  Tenants will have until Monday, June 14 to complete their portion of a landlord-initiated application. To apply, please visit the application site at https://ilrpp.ihda.org.  If you need help with the application, contact NHS Chicago at 773-329-4111, www.nhschicago.org. 

Chicago Mortgage Emergency Rental Assistance Program: Applications are open now!   The maximum amount of assistance available is $3,300. Grant amounts awarded will be based on the amount needed to bring your mortgage current. Eligible homeowners will have the assistance paid directly to their mortgage servicer. Please note: If you received a mortgage assistance grant from NHS of Chicago or the Illinois Housing Development Authority last year (2020), you are not eligible for this mortgage assistance program. Household incomes must be at 120% or below of AMI. Visit https://www.nhschicago.org/mortgageassistance/programoverview.aspx. For assistance please call 800-831-7949 or email us at Emergency Assistance@NHSChicago.org. 

Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP): Tenants and landlords can apply directly online at www.Chicago.gov/RentHelp beginning on Monday, May 24 through Tuesday, June 8th. Assistance can cover up to 12 months of missed rent and utility payments and up to 3 months of future rent and utility payments. Household incomes must be at below 80% of AMI with preference being given to those under 50% of AMI. Visit www.Chicago.gov/RentHelp to apply. 

Landlord-Tenant Mediation Services: Greater Chatham Initiative, through its Restorative Practice program has launched a landlord-tenant mediation program. The moratoriums are coming to end and tough decisions are going to be made. Let’s make sure we are using all of the tools available to us to maintain stable housing options in our community while helping our resident landlords meet their financial obligations. To learn more about the program or schedule an appointment contact Brenda Boyd, Restorative Justice Coordinator, at Greater Chatham Initiative, via email, brenda@greaterchathaminitiative.org or call 773 644-1451 x104.

Financial Self-Defense and Estate Planning: Wednesday, June 23^rd from noon to 1 pm, Listen to information provided by the Center for Disability and Elder Law (CDEL) on the importance of Estate Planning with emphasis on how to use the Transfer on Death Instrument (TODI) as part of a Financial Self Defense toolkit. Also learn about other tools to improve and defend your finances including: Reducing your housing costs; reviewing insurance policies; ensuring all eligible property tax exemptions are being taken and avoiding 3rd party utility supplier missteps.

Principle, Interest, Taxes, Insurance and Energy (PITIE) Review: NHS now offers free one on one reviews of your monthly/annual spend on electric, gas, water and insurance. During the review, we also review your property tax history to identify any missed exemptions or refunds owed to you. This review can serve as a great tool to identify funds to help meet your current property tax obligations and stretch your monthly budget to reinvest in your home. To open an account and schedule your free PITIE review, tsmith@nhschicago.org or jharry@nhschicago.org.

Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) – The MMRP is an initiative to help revitalize distressed communities by increasing homeownership. In the ten MMRP zones, down payment assistance up to $15,000 is available to eligible homebuyers. Both Auburn Gresham and Chatham/Grand Crossing have MMRP zones. To learn more, contact me, tsmith@nhschicago.org, or our partner organizations

IHDA SmartBuy - To assist homebuyers affected by increasing student loan debt IHDA Mortgage, offers SmartBuy. This down payment assistance (DPA) is offered as a 2nd mortgage in conjunction with a promissory note for 15% of the purchase price (up to $40,000) for student debt relief for qualified borrowers. Visit https://www.ihdamortgage.org/smartbuy to learn more.

Homebuyer Education webinars are available in different time and frequency combinations. To register for our Homebuyer Education courses, visit us at https://nhschicago.org/learn/workshops/ to choose the scenario that meets your needs. The June and July class schedules are as follows:

Ready Rehab I& II: During this four (4) part workshop series, learn about the rehab process from rehab professionals. Topics covered include energy efficiency, what to look for during an inspection and how to work with contractors, inspectors and architects. Please note that this workshop is required for anyone interested in participating in the TIF Purchase Rehab assistance program. This workshops occurs on Thursdays Jun 3, 10, 17, 24 from 6PM - 8PM. Visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_wYAJB6ayQ_KDxYHLGxc4BA to register.

Property Management Training: Do you want to be a landlord or already are one? Then this webinar is for you. This workshop presented, by CIC, provides participants with the knowledge to better market, manage, and maintain residential rental property. Topics covered include screening & marketing, fair housing, the Chicago landlord/tenant ordinance, tenant retention, rent collections and evictions. Participants will receive a certificate upon completion of the course. To attend this workshop on Saturday, June 26^th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN__AUh_9KUTTWC1S5KNiK3-g to register.

Chatham Neighborhood Run: M3 is hosting a neighborhood run this Saturday from 9 am to 10:15 am. The meet up location is Dat Donuts at 8251 S. Cottage Grove. To register visit https://www.mobilize.us/m3/event/393717/?rname=Tiffany&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link.

3^rd District CPD Together We Can: For those in the 3^rd District who are interested in understanding the public safety opportunities and victories present in our community and committed to contributing their skills and resources to improve our quality of life, join the weekly Together We Can meeting at 10 am via Zoom: Zoom meeting ID: 876 3304 6632; Passcode: 53787. Sector 20, 71^st street positive engagement event planning meeting is today, at noon via zoom; https://zoom.us/j/2448698694?pwd=eitqR2VvN3k5V1NIcnpsc2s5ZzV1Zz09.

Get Banked: As we prepare to receive the next wave of stimulus dollars and potential tax refunds, it’s a good time to encourage our unbanked neighbors to get a savings and/or checking account. A number of our community financial institutions like Seaway and Providence have fee free account solutions to support online payments and deposits. Similarly, Bank On Accounts are accounts are another tool to help the unbanked open an account and safely manage their money. These accounts do not allow overdraft or insufficient fund fees, have free online tools that allow customers to safely pay bills and receive deposits, and most cost less than $5 or less per month. Bank On accounts can be opened online and located at https://covidbanking.joinbankon.org. 

Free Clothing – TREAD’s Clothing Free for All will take place every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month form 10 am – 6 pm at Ark of Peace Garden Shop located at 11251 S. Halsted. 

Job/Internship Alerts:

Principle, Interest, Taxes, Insurance and Energy (PITIE) Review: NHS now offers free reviews of your monthly/annual spend on electric, gas, water and insurance. During the review, we also review your property tax history to identify any missed exemptions or refunds owed to you. This review can serve as a great tool to identify funds to help meet your current property tax obligations and stretch your monthly budget. To open an account and schedule your free PITIE review, visit https://nhschicago.force.com/nhschicagocft/NWSHOP__CommunitiesSelfRegCPS and choose “Homeowner Education” or call 773-329-4111.