Many families have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and those who have experienced financial difficulties may have struggled to pay ongoing expenses, including rent. To help protect families from losing their homes and being put at risk of infections, the federal government placed a moratorium on evictions, and multiple state governments did the same. A recent Supreme Court decision ended the federal eviction moratorium, but Illinois’ moratorium is still in effect, and Governor J.B. Pritzker has stated that it will be extended through October 3, 2021. Landlords with tenants who have been unable to pay rent will need to understand their options, including determining whether they may be able to perform evictions or use lease modifications.
Availability of Emergency Rental Assistance
Tenants who have struggled to pay rent and landlords facing financial difficulties due to the inability to collect rent payments may qualify for emergency rental assistance (ERA) provided by state and local programs, including the Illinois Rental Payment Program. The Biden administration and the Treasury Department have implemented new rules meant to ensure that people who qualify for ERA can receive relief quickly. These include:
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A household can use self-attestation to document eligibility for ERA, including providing information about the income earned by family members, the reasons a family has experienced financial hardship, and whether they face the risk of homelessness or housing instability.
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