Enrollment Open For COVID-19 Rent And Uility Assistance Program

Press release from the McHenry County Government:

WOODSTOCK, Ill. – Qualified renters can now apply for emergency assistance from the McHenry County Emergency Utility and Rental Assistance Program created to help people unable to pay their rent or utilities because of pandemic-related financial hardship.

The portal through which qualified renters can learn more about the program and submit an application can be found at http://www.McHenryRent.com. Renters who do not have Internet access can call the McHenry County Housing Authority at 815-338-7752, or Consumer Credit Counseling Services at 815-338-5757 for Spanish speakers. It is anticipated that the web portal will soon have a translate function for Spanish and other commonly spoken languages.

The program aims to distribute $9.12 million allocated to McHenry County through the COVID-19 stimulus bill signed into law Dec. 27. The program aims to reduce or eliminate pandemic-related evictions, prevent homelessness, avoid damaged credit that could hurt future housing opportunities for renters, and repair landlord/tenant relationships strained because of lack of payment. Landlords can apply for assistance as well.

“If you’ve fallen behind on your rent or utilities because of the COVID-19 pandemic, McHenry County is here for you,” County Board Chairman Michael Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said. “We want to get this money out to the people who need it as fast as we can, and I encourage people to apply as soon as possible.”

Renters suffering financial hardship can qualify for assistance up to six months in arrears, and up to three months in advance. Awarded funds are paid directly to the landlord or the utility company.

Qualifying households must be at or below 80 percent of their area’s median income – households at 50 percent or lower or that include dependents or seniors 62 years and older will get priority. They also must be able to demonstrate a loss of income or employment as a result of COVID-19. Immigration status is not a factor in determining eligibility.

While the Community Development Division of the McHenry County Department of Planning and Development is serving as the lead agency administering the program, the McHenry County Housing Authority is acting as the chief review agency for submitted applications, with Home of the Sparrow and Consumer Credit Counseling Services serving as navigators to assist households in accessing the program.

Congress allocated $25 billion in rental and utility assistance in the December stimulus bill for counties and municipalities with 200,000 or more residents. McHenry County’s funding, based on a pre-set formula, comes from the $834.7 million allocated for Illinois

This press release was produced by the McHenry County Government City. The views expressed here are the author’s own.