The City of Chicago Mortgage Housing Assistance Grant administered by NHS received significant response and is not currently accepting additional applications.
2020 Program Overview
This grant program is intended for Chicago residents who have been impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who have lost their jobs through layoff or furlough, as well as those who have retained their jobs but have had their hours or wages severely reduced.
If your mortgage was current prior to the outbreak of the pandemic, but is now in arrears, you may be eligible to receive assistance through this program.
You should know several important things prior to applying for this grant:
- The maximum grant assistance amount will be $3,300.
- The level of assistance will be determined by the amount needed to bring your mortgage current.
- If you have a loan from the Veterans Administration (VA), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or an FHA-insured mortgage, you are not eligible for this grant.
- If you previously received a housing assistance grant from NHS or the City of Chicago in April of 2020, you are not eligible for this grant.
Please thoroughly review the program and eligibility requirements before checking your address and starting the application process
To submit a COMPLETE application, you must upload ALL required documentation or your application will not be eligible for review.
General Eligibility Requirements
To qualify, you must at minimum:
- Reside within the Chicago city limits.
- Provide a government issued ID.
- Demonstrate your total household income was at 120% or below the Area Median Income (AMI) prior to March 1, 2020. (Refer to the table below to determine your income eligibility.)
- Have experienced a change in your financial status (after March 1, 2020) due to the COVID-19 crisis.
- Must be 18 years of age or over, or be a financially independent minor.
Required Documents
The following documents are required at minimum. You may be asked to provide additional documentation.
Identification and Proof of Residency
Government Issued ID or Drivers’ License with current address
Proof of Pre-Crisis Household Income
2019 Federal Tax Return
OR
W-2s’s of all adults 18 and older in household. Must provide proof of 2019 Extension granted from IRS. (Form 4868)
Household Financial Hardship Proof Post-Crisis (after March 1)
Unemployment Claim/Notice dated after March 1
OR
Documentation from former/current employer of layoff, furlough or reduction in hours
OR
Proof of self- employment and of reduction in income
- Proof of Self-Employment (e.g. EIN/TIN number or business license.)
- Paystubs or bank statements showing decreased income after March 1
Mortgage Status Documents Needed:
Current Mortgage Statement
(Mortgage documentation should show your mortgage was current as of March 1, but are now in arrears – i.e. in a forbearance plan or are delinquent on your payments.)
Determine Income Eligibility
Area Median Income Limits (AMI) Chart (as of April 1, 2020)
The income limits refer to total household income, which includes the income of all adults in the household.
| Household Size | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 80% | 100% | 120% | 140% |
|---|
| 1 | $19,150 | $25,480 | $31,850 | $38,220 | $51,000 | $63,700 | $76,440 | $89,180 |
|---|
| 2 | $21,850 | $29,120 | $36,400 | $43,680 | $58,250 | $72,800 | $87,360 | $101,920 |
| 3 | $24,600 | $32,760 | $40,950 | $49,140 | $65,550 | $81,900 | $98,280 | $114,660 |
| 4 | $27,300 | $36,400 | $45,500 | $54,600 | $72,800 | $91,000 | $109,200 | $127,400 |
| 5 | $29,500 | $39,320 | $49,150 | $58,980 | $78,650 | $98,300 | $117,960 | $137,620 |
| 6 | $31,700 | $42,240 | $52,800 | $63,360 | $84,450 | $105,600 | $126,720 | $147,480 |
| 7 | $33,900 | $45,160 | $56,450 | $67,740 | $90,300 | $112,900 | $135,480 | $158,060 |
| 8 | $36,050 | $48,080 | $60,100 | $72,120 | $96,100 | $120,200 | $144,240 | $168,280 |
| Household Size | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% |
|---|
| 1 | $19,150 | $25,480 | $31,850 | $38,220 |
|---|
| 2 | $21,850 | $29,120 | $36,400 | $43,680 |
| 3 | $24,600 | $32,760 | $40,950 | $49,140 |
| 4 | $27,300 | $36,400 | $45,500 | $54,600 |
| 5 | $29,500 | $39,320 | $49,150 | $58,980 |
| 6 | $31,700 | $42,240 | $52,800 | $63,360 |
| 7 | $33,900 | $45,160 | $56,450 | $67,740 |
| 8 | $36,050 | $48,080 | $60,100 | $72,120 |
| Household Size | 80% | 100% | 120% | 140% |
|---|
| 1 | $51,000 | $63,700 | $76,440 | $89,180 |
|---|
| 2 | $58,250 | $72,800 | $87,360 | $101,920 |
| 3 | $65,550 | $81,900 | $98,280 | $114,660 |
| 4 | $72,800 | $91,000 | $109,200 | $127,400 |
| 5 | $78,650 | $98,300 | $117,960 | $137,620 |
| 6 | $84,450 | $105,600 | $126,720 | $147,480 |
| 7 | $90,300 | $112,900 | $135,480 | $158,060 |
| 8 | $96,100 | $120,200 | $144,240 | $168,280 |
Income limits are for the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet, IL HUD Metro FMR Area.
To start the application process, please verify that you are an owner living in a property that you own within the City of Chicago by clicking here.
The entire NHS staff is fully equipped to provide a full range of services including financial counseling. We can help you identify other resources and options for COVID-19 related issues.
For any information or questions related to these programs, please call us at 800-831-7949, or email EmergencyAssistance@NHSChicago.org.