CHICAGO - Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Department of Housing (DOH) today announced the creation of a COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant program to assist Chicagoans who have lost their jobs or otherwise been impacted by the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Made possible by a partnership with the Family Independence Initiative (FII), DOH will deploy $2 million from the Affordable Housing Opportunity Fund (AHOF) to fund one-time grants to help impacted Chicagoans with rent and mortgage payments.
"Due to the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 crisis, we have a responsibility as a city to support of our residents and families during their urgent time of need," said Mayor Lightfoot. "This program represents a critical resource not only to our communities but our entire city as we navigate this evolving challenge and ensure every Chicagoan remains safe, healthy and secure."
The fund will award 2,000 Grants of $1,000 each. Half of these grants will be awarded through a lottery system, while the other half will be distributed by non-profit community organizations across the city. Chicago residents experiencing temporary financial hardships due to COVID-19 will be able to apply online via the DOH Online Intake Portal at www.chicago.gov/coronavirus and over the phone through community-based organizations.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate their economic impact by showing 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.
More on illi News
"The City of Chicago understands the need to respond quickly to the financial straits so many of our residents find themselves in," said DOH Commissioner Marisa Novara. "Sudden job loss or reduction in hours has a cascading effect on the ability to pay rent and mortgage, creating housing instability at a time when we need it most. The Dept of Housing is gratified to use its funds to provide relief for our fellow residents. "
Grants are expected to be awarded between early and mid-April. Awardees will receive funds via transfers to their banking institution, PayPal, or CashApp accounts. Delegate agencies are prepared to assist awardees who do not have immediate access to a computer or a bank account. Funding through the City's online portal will be awarded by a lottery system while nonprofit organizations based throughout the city will distribute funds using their existing neighborhood networks.
"This program will give Chicagoans some desperately needed relief and protection against the economic ravages of COVID-19," said Ald. Harry Osterman, chair of the City Council's Housing and Real Estate committee. "We want people to stay in their homes and stay safe. The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grand program will help thousands of Chicagoans do both."
The Family Independence Initiative (FII) works with families to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic and social mobility by bridging the information and resource gap to fuel their goals and dreams. FII's technology platform strengthens social networks and helps provide access to resources that will improve residents' financial outlook. FII is a partner in the City's efforts to eliminate poverty in a generation, stemming from a call to action announced by Mayor Lightfoot last month to direct more City resources to address systemic poverty and reduce economic insecurity in Chicago.
More on illi News
"The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated in unprecedented ways exactly what it means to live paycheck to paycheck," said Ebony Scott Director of the Family Independence Initiative, Chicago. "In the midst of a global health crisis where people are fearful they could lose their jobs or even their lives, they should not have to be concerned that they may lose the roof over their heads, too. This partnership gets cash into their hands to provide them at least some sense of security during this troubling time."
The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant is a part of Mayor Lightfoot's comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which spans economic relief measures taken for residents, businesses and to ensure a swift and precise health response to protect residents in the face of this unprecedented pandemic. Earlier this week, Mayor Lightfoot announced action to expand shelter and care for populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 and has continued to make progress toward lifting the burden from the City's healthcare system. The City continues to provide essential services maintained as Chicago remains under a state order issued by Governor Pritzker for residents to stay at home now through April 7th.
For more information and updates on COVID-19, text COVID19 to 78015, email coronavirus@chicago.gov or visit Chicago.gov/coronavirus.
"Due to the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 crisis, we have a responsibility as a city to support of our residents and families during their urgent time of need," said Mayor Lightfoot. "This program represents a critical resource not only to our communities but our entire city as we navigate this evolving challenge and ensure every Chicagoan remains safe, healthy and secure."
The fund will award 2,000 Grants of $1,000 each. Half of these grants will be awarded through a lottery system, while the other half will be distributed by non-profit community organizations across the city. Chicago residents experiencing temporary financial hardships due to COVID-19 will be able to apply online via the DOH Online Intake Portal at www.chicago.gov/coronavirus and over the phone through community-based organizations.
Applicants will be required to demonstrate their economic impact by showing 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.
More on illi News
- New Online Course Available for Do-it-Yourself Divorces
- Naperville Police Arrest Subject for Possession of Child Pornography
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot Announces Plan to Open Chicago's Streets to Support Businesses and Help Residents in Response to Covid-19
- Evolve IP Offers Rapid Deployment of Desktop as a Service to Ingram Micro Partners
- Chicago: Mayor Lightfoot Announces New Initiatives to Encourage Citywide Participation in the 2020 Census
"The City of Chicago understands the need to respond quickly to the financial straits so many of our residents find themselves in," said DOH Commissioner Marisa Novara. "Sudden job loss or reduction in hours has a cascading effect on the ability to pay rent and mortgage, creating housing instability at a time when we need it most. The Dept of Housing is gratified to use its funds to provide relief for our fellow residents. "
Grants are expected to be awarded between early and mid-April. Awardees will receive funds via transfers to their banking institution, PayPal, or CashApp accounts. Delegate agencies are prepared to assist awardees who do not have immediate access to a computer or a bank account. Funding through the City's online portal will be awarded by a lottery system while nonprofit organizations based throughout the city will distribute funds using their existing neighborhood networks.
"This program will give Chicagoans some desperately needed relief and protection against the economic ravages of COVID-19," said Ald. Harry Osterman, chair of the City Council's Housing and Real Estate committee. "We want people to stay in their homes and stay safe. The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grand program will help thousands of Chicagoans do both."
The Family Independence Initiative (FII) works with families to break the cycle of poverty and achieve economic and social mobility by bridging the information and resource gap to fuel their goals and dreams. FII's technology platform strengthens social networks and helps provide access to resources that will improve residents' financial outlook. FII is a partner in the City's efforts to eliminate poverty in a generation, stemming from a call to action announced by Mayor Lightfoot last month to direct more City resources to address systemic poverty and reduce economic insecurity in Chicago.
More on illi News
- 626 acquires the assets of Innovatus CR and DR Business. The World Slows Down. We Move Faster
- Immunotherapy Drugs Market Worth $274.6 Billion by 2025 - Exclusive Report by MarketsandMarkets™
- R+M Development Closes on Refinance of Student Housing Project Amidst Pandemic
- Teenage mariachi ensemble records album during pandemic, keeping social distancing guidelines
- Getman Takes his Popular Book Fairs into the Virtual World Transforming the Way Buyers Meet Sellers of Rare Books, Maps, Prints and Ephemera
"The COVID-19 pandemic has illustrated in unprecedented ways exactly what it means to live paycheck to paycheck," said Ebony Scott Director of the Family Independence Initiative, Chicago. "In the midst of a global health crisis where people are fearful they could lose their jobs or even their lives, they should not have to be concerned that they may lose the roof over their heads, too. This partnership gets cash into their hands to provide them at least some sense of security during this troubling time."
The COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant is a part of Mayor Lightfoot's comprehensive response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which spans economic relief measures taken for residents, businesses and to ensure a swift and precise health response to protect residents in the face of this unprecedented pandemic. Earlier this week, Mayor Lightfoot announced action to expand shelter and care for populations most vulnerable to COVID-19 and has continued to make progress toward lifting the burden from the City's healthcare system. The City continues to provide essential services maintained as Chicago remains under a state order issued by Governor Pritzker for residents to stay at home now through April 7th.
For more information and updates on COVID-19, text COVID19 to 78015, email coronavirus@chicago.gov or visit Chicago.gov/coronavirus.
0 Comments
Latest on illi News
- Author Matthew Neill Davis Relaunches "The Art of Preventing Stupid", 99¢ on Amazon Kindle - One week only
- Pirate Chain Creates Worlds First Z to Z-only Mobile Wallet
- Stern Pinball Announces New Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pinball Machines
- INI and CTIntegrations Create Secure Payment Solution
- Dr. Gordon Isbell, III, Past Chair American Dental Association, ADPAC Board Appointed Co-Chairman OCI Dental Advisory Board
- Lineus Medical Completes $1.25M Series B Tranche 1
- Ignite Entrepreneurs Initiative to Empower Chicagoland's Entrepreneurs
- Naperville: Crime Stoppers Reward Offered in Park Graffiti Incident
- WMA Foundation Helps California Mobile Home Owners
- Naperville: Municipal Center to Re-Open to Community on June 1
- East Coast Match™ Announces a $10,000.00 Professional Matchmaking Giveaway
- Mayor Lightfoot and CDPH Announce $56m RFP To Bolster Contact Tracing Efforts for Covid-19 Cases in Chicago
- City of Chicago Announces Grant Funding to Support Additional Efforts to Address City's Historically Regressive Fines and Fees System
- MegaFans and Black Dog Gaming Launch Charity eSports Tournament for USO West
- Lantek launches version 2020 with focus on remote working and process efficiency
- Palomar Display Products, Inc. awarded a $3.5M order for gunner displays
- Jet Medical Tourism® Cites Report Saying Bariatric Surgery Works, But Millions of Eligible Patients in The Heaviest American States Cannot Get It
- Walzik Announces Automated Interface Between Dynamics GP and Strategic Movements
- NS4ed Partners with New Mexico to Maximize the Perkins V's Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA)
- Feeding America® and Team Rubicon Partner to Provide Food to Communities Facing Hunger During the COVID-19 Pandemic