The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant, spearheaded by the city’s Department of Housing, is part of a partnership with the Family Independence Initiative, using $2 million from the city’s Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund. The AHOF is funded by fees collected from real estate developers through Chicago’s Affordable Requirements Ordinance.
“Due to the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 crisis, we have a responsibility as a city to support of our residents and families during their urgent time of need,” Lightfoot said in a release.
The one-time grants can be used for rent and mortgage payments—1,000 will be awarded by a lottery system, the others will be “distributed by non-profit community organizations across the city.”
Applications can be made at the Department of Housing’s online intake portal, and applicants will have to provide “documentation such as a recent unemployment insurance claim, notification of employment status change, as well as proof of household income at or below 60% of the area median income prior to job loss.” Median area income for a family of four is $53,460.
The city expects to pay out grants “between early and mid-April,” via transfers to their banking institution, PayPal, or CashApp accounts.
