Housing Stability Services Referral

Get connected to the housing services you need

Cook County Resources

As part of our mission to promote and foster stable, long-term diverse communities in our service area, South Suburban Housing Center has created this page for renters and homeowners to find the resources they need to maintain housing.

Please note that South Suburban Housing Center is a partner agency for the Illinois Rental and Mortgage Assistance Programs. We will not be able to answer questions specific to the other programs listed.

Select from the following options to view available resources in Suburban Cook County, Illinois:

Have you been served with eviction court papers?

If you are unsure or want to learn about the eviction process, visit:
Eviction Help Illinois.


Prevent Foreclosure:

SSHC Housing Counseling Services

Mortgage Assistance

Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund
(ILHAF) Program

Website:
IllinoisHousingHelp.org/ILHAF 

The portal is now back open!

If you have submitted an application, visit the ILHAF portal to log in and check your status.

About:
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund (ILHAF) program will assist Illinois homeowners who have struggled to pay their mortgages due to COVID-19. Starting November 1, the state will begin accepting applications from homeowners for grants of up to $60,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage, property tax payments, and more. Visit IllinoisHousingHelp.org/ILHAF for more information, resources, FAQ, and the link to the application portal


Rental Assistance

Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP)

THE APPLICATION PORTAL IS CURRENTLY CLOSED.

If you submitted an application, log in to check the status:
ILRPP2 Portal – If you applied between Dec. 6 & Jan. 22

ILRPP Status Term Guide:

  • Submitted Waiting for Match: The application is waiting to be matched with the corresponding application for review. 
  • Ready for Review: The application is complete and ready for review.
  • In Review: The application is currently being reviewed. 
  • Needs More Info: More information is needed. Please use the ADD DOCUMENT button to upload the requested documents. 
  • Ready for Supervisor Review: the application has been flagged for further review.
  • In Final Review: The application is under final review.
  • In QC: The application was selected for special review.
  • Approved: The application was approved for funding.
  • Rejected: The application is ineligible for funding.
  • App Under Review – 1: The application has been flagged for further review.
  • App Under Review – 2: The application has been flagged for possibly being a duplicate.
  • Duplicate Application: The application has been found to be a duplicate.

Court-based rental assistance

Cook County Court-Based
Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP)

Website:
https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/ – English
https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/es/ – Spanish
https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/pl/ – Polish

This rental assistance program requires that applicants:

  • Are facing eviction because of unpaid rent AND
  • Have received a court summons document
    • This means you have a court case number

You should receive information regarding this program within the filings from the sheriff. Learn more about this program and get assistance applying here.


LEGAL AID

Cook County Legal Aid for Housing & Debt

Website:
https://www.cookcountylegalaid.org/

Phone:
(855) 956-5763 

About:
If you are a Cook County renter facing eviction or are being sued for unpaid debt or rent, contact the Cook County Legal Aid for Housing by phone or chat online.

Legal Aid Chicago

Website:
https://www.legalaidchicago.org/

Phone:
(312) 341-1070

About:
Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal representation, specifically regarding family and safety, evictions, terminations, voucher program issues, utility services, and more.

Legal Aid Society – Metropolitan Family Services

Website:
https://www.metrofamily.org/legal-aid-society/

Phone:
(312) 986-4105

About:
Legal Aid Society has expanded housing law services to south suburban Cook County, including:

  • Eviction Prevention
  • Eviction Defense
  • Issues with subsidized apartments
  • Housing voucher preservation
  • Illegal Lockouts
  • Sealing eviction cases
  • Tenants impacted by foreclosure
  • Conditions issues
  • Security deposits

Utility Assistance

Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County (CEDA)

LIHEAP APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN

Website:
https://www.cedaorg.net/find-services/

About:
CEDA offers a variety of services and programs to Cook County households in need On their website you will find all available assistance, including:

  • Gas and Electric Assistance
  • Furnace Repair and Replacement
  • Water Assistance
  • Home Weatherization
  • Family Support
  • Support for Women, Infants, and Children
  • Heating Assistance
  • Electricity Assistance
  • Water Assistance
  • Furnace Assistance

Food Banks

Greater Chicago Food Depository

Website:
https://www.chicagosfoodbank.org/find-food/

About:
The Greater Chicago Food Depository is a network of food pantries and programs working to end hunger. If your household needs food, use the website’s search tool to find food banks near you including hours and contact information.


DISABILITY RESOURCES

Progress Center for Independent Living

Website:
http://progresscil.org/

Phone:
(708) 209-1500

About:
Progress Center for Independent Living provides persons with disabilities the tools and resources to be independent in their homes through information and referral, advocacy for rights, job seeking and personal management skills, and peer counseling.

The Arc of Illinois

Website:
https://www.thearcofil.org/what-we-do/

About:
The Arc of Illinois advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families, and community organizations to ensure that people with disabilities can live, work, learn, and play in communities across the state

Illinois Disability Resource Organization

Hosted by the Illinois State Library

Website:
https://www.ilbph.org/disability_resources.html

About:
If you or someone in your care is a person with disabilities, you can find resources on this page hosted by the Illinois State Library. The website provides links to Illinois Secretary of State forms and publications including information on the state’s parking program for persons with disabilities, services for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, and more.

Disability Works

Website:
https://www.illinoisworknet.com/disabilityworks

About:
Disability Works is an Illinois resource for employment, benefits, and connections to other agencies.