Emergency Housing Assistance Grants

Emergency assistance funds are made available by the State of Illinois, Cook County, the City of Chicago, and/or other private resources to assist low-to-moderate income households experiencing economic hardships.

If you need financial assistance with your rent, mortgage, or utility bill, please check the resources below (income limits generally apply).

Mortgage Assistance

Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF)

The Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund is no longer accepting applications.

Apply now

Rental Assistance

Currently, NHS is not administering rental assistance.

The State of Illinois, Cook County, and City of Chicago have new emergency rental assistance programs to support households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Preservation Compact lists all available assistance programs and relevant program dates.

City of Chicago Rental Assistance Program

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) provides funding to Chicagoans who are at risk of becoming homeless. RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now, but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent. Learn more and apply.

Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program

The Illinois Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) provides funding to Illinois tenants and landlords across Illinois who have pending cases in eviction court. The program is only available to litigants in eviction court. Applicants may qualify for up to $25,000 in emergency rental payments that can include up to 15 months of past-due rent and 3 months of future rent payments to prevent eviction. Learn more and apply.

Illinois Department of Housing Services (IDHS)

While the Illinois Rental Payment Program is closed, rental assistance from the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) is still available. Please check their network of providers in your area for assistance in applying for rental assistance through IDHS.

Have Questions?

Call us at 773-329-4111 or fill out the form below.

Monday – Thursday 9:00am – 5pm
Fridays By Appointment Only

(773) 329-4111

homeownership@nhschicago.org

Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc.
NMLS #276722
IL Mortgage Banker License MB.0000661

CENTRAL OFFICE

850 W. Jackson Blvd.
5th Floor
Chicago, IL 60607

WEST HUMBOLDT PARK

2950 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622

CHATHAM

639 E. 87th Street
Chicago, IL 60619

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A nonprofit organization established in 1975, NHS is committed to offering Chicago residents affordable resources so they can buy, fix, and keep their homes. We partner with residents, block clubs, neighborhood organizations, financial institutions, the City of Chicago, insurance companies, corporations and foundations so that families can protect and preserve their single biggest investment—their homes. Our mission is creating opportunities for people to live in affordable homes, improve their lives, and strengthen their neighborhoods. Copyright © 2022 Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. All rights reserved.

All loans are offered through Neighborhood Lending Services, Inc. (NLS), a nonprofit Illinois Residential Mortgage licensee (#M0000661) and an Equal Opportunity Housing lender.

State of Illinois, Division of Banking
Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
555 West Monroe Street, 5TH Floor
Chicago, IL 60661
Telephone Number: 1-888-473-4858
http://www.idfpr.illinois.gov/

Copyright © 2025 Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, Inc. All rights reserved.

Your generous support enables us to continue to make tremendous strides in advocating for working families while strengthening and stabilizing neighborhoods.