COVID-19 Resources
We’re here to help.
CIC and The Preservation Compact continue to compile relevant resources for building owners and tenants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Preservation Compact convened partners at IHDA, Cook County, and the City of Chicago to coordinate information about their new rental assistance programs to create a unified webpage — a one-stop shop for property owners and tenants to find information on the programs.
We also continue advocating with our partners for meaningful government relief packages, and will update this page as resources become available.
As you browse resources, remember to note eligibility requirements, and contact the associated government agency or organization to learn more.
Local and national housing stakeholders have also compiled important resources which you can check out on our COVID-19 Resource Hubs and Articles page.
Do you know of a resource that would help tenants or owners? Email us to share!
Owner Information & Resources
RENTAL SUBSIDIES AND OTHER TENANT SUPPORT
- New Emergency Rental Assistance Programs are now open or coming soon!
- Owners and tenants can find detailed information on the application process, program timelines, and eligibility requirements.
- The City of Chicago’s Department of Housing Emergency Relief for Affordable Multifamily Properties (ERAMP) program provides short-term operating support to multifamily affordable housing providers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The ERAMP program can serve both government assisted and unsubsidized properties by providing grants and no-interest, deferred payment loans of up to $75,000 per property for eligible operating shortfalls and added COVID-related expenses.
- Tenants in the Chicago Metro Area who are at risk of eviction and/or homelessness can apply for emergency financial assistance by calling the Homelessness Prevention Call Center, where staff will evaluate their eligibility for financial assistance and other community resources.
- Tenants living in the City of Chicago can access this resource by calling 3-1-1 or 312-744-5000 and asking for “Short-Term Help.” The call center is open from 8:30am-4:30pm Monday through Thursday.
- Tenants living in Suburban Cook County can access this resource by calling 1-877-426-6515.
- Tenants can apply for unemployment online if they have lost their job.
- The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) has adopted special emergency rules to make the unemployment insurance system responsive to the current situation and has provided a FAQ.
- Tenants can apply online for cash assistance and other assistance programs.
- If a tenant has a tenant-based subsidy like a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) or if they live in a unit with a Project Based Voucher they should immediately contact the agency that provides the subsidy and request an interim re-examination of their income if they have lost their job or have had a reduction in income.
- If the tenant can document loss of income, the housing authority or other agency will reduce the tenant’s rent portion and increase the amount of the rent that the agency’s payment will cover.
- Chicago Housing Authority tenants can apply for an interim re-examination online through the participant portal. Owners and tenants can also contact the CHA Customer Call Center at 312-935-2600 or by emailing hcv@thecha.org.
- Housing Authority of Cook County tenants should contact their Housing Specialist directly. Contact information for all of the Housing Specialists is available in HACC’s online directory.
- The Chicago Housing Authority released a Frequently Asked Questions document that provides information about working with the CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- The Preservation Compact hosted two discussions with the Chicago Housing Authority to discuss changes to the PBV and HCV programs related to COVID-19.
CONTACT YOUR LENDER
- Any building owner should contact their lender directly to discuss any questions or concerns. Banks and lenders, including Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) like CIC, are considered essential businesses and will remain open.
- For existing CIC borrowers, your loan officer is the best resource. Please stay in close contact.
Management and Best Practices
OPERATIONS AND RENT COLLECTION
- CIC’s Property Management Training Program provides workshops on managing and maintaining residential rental property including special topics related to COVID-19.
- The City of Chicago issued COVID-19 Guidance for Multifamily Residential Buildings with specific safety measures building owners and managers should follow to prevent COVID-19 transmission among residents and employees.
- Owners can call the City of Chicago’s Chicago Rents Right Hotline at 312-742-RENT for information and assistance related to the obligations and rights of renters and property owners.
- The Center for Conflict Resolution provides free mediation services for landlords and tenants, and can assist with developing a payment plan and mediate other landlord-tenant issues.
- The National Apartment Association (NAA) has created a list of recommendations on rent collection amid the COVID-19 crisis.
SMALL BUSINESS RESOURCES
- ACCION has compiled a helpful matrix and presentation comparing all available state and federal resources.
PUBLIC HEALTH AND PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
- Read the Preservation Compact’s Deep Dive on Safe and Healthy Building to reduce COVID-19 risks to tenants and staff in multifamily buildings.
- The Preservation Compact and Illinois Housing Council hosted a webinar with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services and the Chicago Department of Public Health on resources for tenants who are senior citizens and information about the Chicago Department of Public Health’s guidance for owners of multifamily buildings.
- View the recording of the webinar here.
- A PDF of the DFSS PowerPoint presentation is available here.
- A list of resources for owners and managers of senior buildings from CDPH is available here.
- The Centers for Disease Control, Chicago Department of Public Health, and Illinois Department of Public Health have issued important guidance for owners and property managers to review:
- Chicago DPH has a fully staffed hotline and email account to answer questions: coronavirus@chicago.gov or call 312-746-4835.
Financial and Other Supports
FOOD ASSISTANCE
- Tenants can apply online for SNAP (food stamps).
- Tenants with children enrolled in a CPS school (including CPS charters) can go to many CPS schools to pick up free breakfast and lunch for each of their children. Families do not need to go to the school in which their children are enrolled. Instead they should go to the closest distribution location.
- A map of CPS food distribution sites is available here.
- Tenants in Chicago and Suburban Cook County can find nearby food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile food distribution centers on the Greater Chicago Food Depository’s website.
- The Greater Chicago Food Depository can also provide assistance registering for SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid. Tenants should call 773-843-5416, or fill out a referral form.
UTILITY ASSISTANCE
- The Citizens Utility Board has a comprehensive overview of each utility’s policy, including information about phone and broadband plans.
- The Illinois Commerce Commission adopted expanded protections for customers of Ameren, ComEd, Nicor Gas, North Shore Gas, Peoples Gas, and other providers.
- The Federal Communications Commission’s Emergency Broadband Benefit program provides a discount on broadband service and a one-time discount toward the purchase of a computer for eligible households.
OTHER ASSISTANCE
- City Bureau has compiled a comprehensive, searchable Resource Finder to catalog resources available to those affected by the pandemic and economic crisis.
- Tenants can access advice and information about resolving common housing issues using the Rentervention Tool.
- The Center for Conflict Resolution provides free mediation services for landlords and tenants, and can assist with developing a payment plan and mediate other landlord-tenant issues.
- Tenants can apply online for Medicaid.