The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) announced the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) will no longer accept applications beginning at 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023. ILHAF supports qualified homeowners with grants of up to $60,000 for past-due mortgage payments, property taxes, property insurance and homeowner and/or condo association fees. Any application submitted prior to closing will be reviewed to determine eligibility and a submitted application is not a guarantee of approval. Eligible Illinois homeowners can apply online at www.illinoishousinghelp.org. To qualify for ILHAF, Illinois homeowners must meet the following criteria:

• Be past due on one or more of mortgage loan, property tax, property insurance and/or HOA/condo association fee payments.

• Have a household income at or below 150 percent Area Median Income.

• Own and occupy a home in Illinois as a primary residence.

• Experienced a financial hardship after Jan. 21, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic (including a hardship that began before Jan. 21, 2020 but continued after that date).

Proof of citizenship is not required to apply and receive ILHAF assistance. ILHAF assistance is not public charge benefit. IHDA has partnered with housing counseling agencies and community-based organizations across the state to assist households with assembling the required documents and completing their applications. A list of these agencies offering assistance can be found online at www.illinoishousinghelp.org or by calling 866-454-3571.