Emergency Rental Assistance

Although these programs are state and federally funded, all have been locally designed to meet the people’s needs in our community.

This program is funded through a a grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this website (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided.) The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Illinois DCEO.

Past Due Rent Assistance
Security Deposit Assistance
Emergency Shelter for Those That Are Homeless
New Beds for the Formerly Homeless
Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
Additional Emergency Housing Assistance

Emergency Rental Assistance Form

Program Director
Pepper LaFontaine
(815) 338-7752 X137
Email

Program Staff
Kimberly Hoelscher
Email

Megan Bennett
Email

Past Due Rent Assistance

The past-due rent assistance programs may assist those behind in their rent due to circumstances beyond the household’s control. All applicants must be current McHenry County residents and have lived in McHenry for at least 30 days. This program does not assist with mortgages or property taxes.

To verify the economic crisis, all applicants must provide documents that give evidence of at least one of the following conditions: job loss or reduced income due to COVID-19, loss of employment for other reasons, medical disability or emergency, loss or delay of some form of public benefit, natural disaster, victimization by criminal activity, illegal action by a landlord, displacement by a government or private action, or some other condition that was beyond the household’s control and constitutes a hardship compared to the other conditions listed above. Program availability depends on funding availability. Rents must fall within the local rent standards for the household’s size. These programs are funded by a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) and COVID CARES Act funding.

Requirements

Past Due Rental Assistance 30 Day Income Limit

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
30 Day Income LImit	$2,147	$2,903	$3,660	$4,417	$5,173	$5,930

Household Size	30 Day Income LImit
1	$2,147
2	$2,903
3	$3,660
4	$4,417
5	$5,173
6	$5,930

Security Deposit Assistance

The security deposit assistance program may provide a security deposit and/or first month’s rent assistance for eligible McHenry County residents who have been unable to save for their move due to no fault of their own, and are also currently homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Applicants must have been approved by a landlord to rent a unit before they can apply for this assistance, and they must provide documentation that they will be able to pay their rent going forward. Applicants must provide proof that they’ve lived in McHenry for at least all of the past 30 days. Verification of residency and homelessness is required from an agency located in McHenry County, such as a Continuum of Care member agency, law enforcement official, or government official.

To verify the inability to save for their move, all applicants must provide documents that give evidence of at least one of the following conditions: job loss or reduced income due to COVID-19, loss of employment for other reasons, medical disability or emergency, chronic homelessness, loss or delay of some form of public benefit, natural disaster, victimization by criminal activity, illegal action by a landlord, displacement by a government or private action, or some other condition that was beyond the household’s control and constitutes a hardship compared to the other conditions listed above. Program availability depends on funding availability. Rents must fall within the local rent standards for the household’s size. This program is funded by a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

Requirements

Security Deposit 30 Day Income Limit

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
30 Day Income Limit	$2,147	$2,903	$3,660	$4,417	$5,173	$5,930

Household Size	30 Day Income Limit
1	$2,147
2	$2,903
3	$3,660
4	$4,417
5	$5,173
6	$5,930

Emergency Shelter for Those Who Are Homeless

This program provides short-term shelter in motels for homeless people who have no other shelter options and who will be moving into long-term or permanent housing within the near future. Applicants must have resided in McHenry County for at least all of the past 30 days. Verification of residency and homelessness is required from an agency located in McHenry County, such as a Continuum of Care member agency, law enforcement official, or government official.

Shelter Application

Emergency Shelter 30 Day Income Limit

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
30 Day Income Limit	$2,147	$2,903	$3,660	$4,417	$5,173	$5,930

Household Size	30 Day Income Limit
1	$2,147
2	$2,903
3	$3,660
4	$4,417
5	$5,173
6	$5,930

“I can’t thank the McHenry County Housing Authority enough. The homeless prevention program saved me. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.”

New Beds for the Formerly Homeless

This program purchases new beds for those leaving a homeless shelter located in McHenry County, or whose homelessness in McHenry County can be verified in writing by an agency located in McHenry County that serves the homeless population of McHenry County. Applicants must have resided in McHenry County for at least all of the past 30-days, must not already have a bed, and must be moving into permanent housing immediately. Applicants may not apply for a bed until they have been approved to rent a suitable, permanent rental unit. This program is funded by a Community Services Block Grant (CSBG).

Requirements

Emergency Shelter 30 Day Income Limit

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
30 Day Income LImit	$2,147	$2,903	$3,660	$4,417	$5,173	$5,930

Household Size	30 Day Income LImit
1	$2,147
2	$2,903
3	$3,660
4	$4,417
5	$5,173
6	$5,930

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)

MCHA’s TBRA program is currently closed to new applicants.

TBRA offers a time-limited rent subsidy (typically up to one year) based on the household’s income. Program participants pay approximately 30% of their income toward their rent, and MCHA pays the remaining rent portion directly to the landlord. Because TBRA assistance is time-limited, those who have been approved for the assistance are expected to pay their rent on their own at the end of the program, generally after one year of assistance. TBRA participants meet with an MCHA caseworker monthly to ensure that they progress toward a successful transition to permanent, independent living within the community. The goal of the TBRA program is self-sufficiency for all participants. A HOME grant funds this program.

MC-EURAP (Emergency Rental and Utility Assistance)

Up to 18 months of rental assistance available for qualified applicants. The assistance included up to 12 months of past due rent and rent going forward paid in 3 month increments. Households earning up to 80% AMI whose income or ability to find housing has been affected by the pandemic. Landlords and tenants may apply at www.Mchenryrent.com

Please see the document links for some of the items required for the application.

Once an applicant has been approved for funding checks will be disbursed within 7 to 14 days.

Documents:

MC-EURAP Policy and Procedures

Landlord W9 (required)

COVID Hardship Attestation

Certification of No Checking Account

Certification of Zero Income

Release of Authorization

MC-EURAP Emergency Rental Assistance Annual Income Limit

Household Size	1	2	3	4	5	6
Annual Income Limit	$52,200	$59,650	$67,100	$74,550	$80,550	$86,500

Household Size	Annual Income Limit
1	$52,200
2	$59,650
3	$67,100
4	$74,550
5	$80,550
6	$86,500