Illinois homeowners impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic seeking financial mortgage assistance have until Oct. 31 to apply for a grant through the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF). ILHAF is a federally funded program dedicated to assisting homeowners at risk of default, foreclosure, or displacement because of financial hardships caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

ILHAF was initially launched in April 2022 and has provided more than $246 million to help nearly 14,000 homeowners avoid foreclosure while regaining their financial stability. 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. The average grant is $17,988 per household. Socially disadvantaged areas in Illinois have received over 69 percent of ILHAF funds.

Applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 31 to be reviewed for eligibility. A submitted application does not guarantee approval.

To qualify for a grant, Illinois homeowners must meet the following criteria:

• Have a household income less than 150% of the Area Median Income.
• Own and occupy their property as their primary residence.
• Are past due on their mortgage, property tax payments, or homeowner association dues.
• Have experienced a financial hardship directly related to COVID-19 that began, continued, or worsened after Jan. 21, 2020.

Eligible Illinois homeowners can apply online at https://www.illinoishousinghelp.org/.