Peoria Standard

Illinois state Rep. Thomas Bennett took to Facebook April 27 to inform the public about $309 million in homeowners assistance.

Bennett’s post shared a report by WSILTV that highlights a program to help homeowners who have had trouble making their monthly mortgage payments and related expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding for the program is available through the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF), and homeowners are eligible for as much as $30,000 in free assistance.

“The state of Illinois is providing emergency housing assistance to help renters and homeowners maintain stable, affordable housing during the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Illinois Housing Development Authority stated on its website.

The ILHAF provides direct financial assistance to help eligible homeowners prevent mortgage delinquencies, defaults, displacements, and foreclosures, according to the website. The fund is open and rental assistance is also available through the Department of Human Services.

There are three steps to apply for funding. First, homeowners must attend an information session hosted by IHDA to learn about the application process, eligibility, and other free resources available, according to the IHDA website. Second, homeowners should contact their mortgage servicer or a Housing and Urban Development-certified housing counseling agency to discuss options to prevent foreclosure. A certificate from a HUD-certified housing counselor or a letter from the mortgage servicer detailing efforts to resolve the delinquency is required. The final step is to review the documents on the acceptable documentation list and provide all required documents.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. Tuesday, May 31, WSILTV reported. To apply and for more information visit the IHDA website.