Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR)
Helping homeowners with repairs and home maintenance across the state of Illinois.
Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) Announcement
Habitat for Humanity, in partnership with The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), now offers the Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR). This initiative supports eligible homeowners in managing essential health and safety repairs that have been delayed or have become more critical due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the launch of this program, the response has been extraordinary, reflecting the significant demand and need within our community. While we are heartened by your interest, it’s important to understand that we may not be able to accommodate all applicants. To stay informed about the application opening dates, we encourage you to visit this page regularly and complete the contact form. Furthermore, we urge you to thoroughly explore this page to verify whether you reside within the service areas covered by our affiliates and to assess your eligibility for the program. It’s crucial to note that we are unable to offer immediate assistance for emergencies, as our process involves a thorough application and selection phase.
About the HAFHR Program
Currently, applications are not open, however, if you go on our website and fill out the contact form you will be notified opens for the affiliate you select. It is important to note that being notified does not guarantee your applications will be approved. Funding is limited and applications may be subject to a lottery-based selection.
The Illinois Homeowner Assistance Fund Home Repair Program (HAFHR) allows eligible homeowners to address home maintenance needs delayed and exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible repairs will maintain the habitability of a home and prevent homeowner displacement.
Examples include but are not limited to the following: Addressing health, safety and code violations; Roofing, soffit/fascia/gutters, drainage and runoff management; Electrical and plumbing systems; Foundations, existing decks and existing porches; Modifications and improvements for accessibility to allow the elderly or disabled to age in place; Environmental modification and improvements; Other vital and necessary repairs specific to the home’s needs.
Homeowners with critical home repairs that were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic may receive up to $60,000 toward critical home repairs through a forgivable loan. Habitat receives the funds and completes the work and/or pays contractors to complete the repairs.
Habitat is one of the organizations in Illinois completing home repairs. This chart shows the areas where Habitat is accepting repair applications. If Habitat does not serve your area, please visit IHDA’s website to view a list of other organizations completing home repairs.
You must have had a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, related to the Covid-19 pandemic. AND your total household income must be at or below 150 percent of the Area Median Income (adjusted for household size). AND Other eligibility requirements, such as a property value limit, also apply.
Application Process
If you have done so already, you can fill out the contact form on www.chicaogolandhabitat.org/HAFHR and based on where you live, you will be notified when applications are being accepted. If you live in one of our service areas, the corresponding affiliate will let you know how to fill out the application.
Documents needed for a complete application include but are not limited to:
a. Employment Income
i. Most recent W2
ii. Three (3) most recent pay stub(s)
iii. Most recent Tax Returns – 2022
b. Benefit and Support Income
i. Unemployment Compensation
ii. Pension
iii. Social Security – 2023 “Your New Benefit Amount” document
iv. Supplemental Social Security
v. Disability Income
vi. Alimony
vii. Child Support
viii. Welfare or public assistance
ix. Regular support from family members or friends
c. Additional Real Estate You Own
i. If you own any rental property, submit information on income received and expenses you have from the property, (most recent Schedule E tax form.
d. Stocks, Bonds, Trust, Other Investments
i. Statements on value of investments and any income from these investment
e. Gifts/Other Income
i. If you have sold or given any assets in the past two years, (such as giving a property or any amount of money to another family member) please provide information about those assets.
ii. Any additional type of income the household has; provide any information available.
f. Proof of Homeowner’s Insurance
i. Current Homeowner’s Insurance policy, showing dates policy is in force
g. Proof of up to date Mortgage
i. Mortgage payment statement, showing most recent payment and that payments are up to date
h. Bank Statements, (from ALL accounts – checking and savings)
i. Most recent two (2) bank statements for EACH account, for all applicants.
The open periods will vary by affiliate. Once the open period closes the affiliate will review the applications and choose applicants based on their selection process. The time will vary but no less than 1 month.
You will receive a formal letter if your application is denied. You are encouraged to apply with other grantees who may be serving your area as well.
Affiliates will have different open periods. If you have filled out our contact form you will be notified of when your corresponding affiliate is accepting applications. They will provide the deadline for their open period.
Once your application is received by the corresponding affiliate, they will provide a point of contact handling your application. If you no longer have the contact information, you can email the Chicagoland team at HAFHR@chicagolandhabitat.org.
Repair Process
You do not receive the funds. Habitat receives the funds and either completes the repairs or pays contractors who complete the repairs.
Habitat will receive bids from contractors and select those who are best qualified to complete the work specified in the proposals and are properly licensed and insured.
Homeowner Commitments to the Program
No, you do not have to repay the loan if you remain in your home for the entire three years. There will be a three-year forgivable loan for the total construction costs put on your home. Assistance for the home repair project is forgiven monthly over the three-year term (1/36th a month) until completely forgiven after year three. The unforgiven balance will be due out of net proceeds if the home is sold before the term ends.
Eligible Households
• Certify to a financial hardship after January 21, 2020, related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Own and occupy the property as the primary residence.
• Be current on mortgage payments OR not have a mortgage payment.
• Reverse mortgage, home equity line of credit, contract for deed or ownership held in a trust are all ineligible ownership models for this program.
• Homeowners who received HAF housing assistance are eligible to apply.
• Households with less than or equal to 150% of the area median income may apply, however, Habitat for Humanity will prioritize those with less than or equal to 80% of the area median income (view chart below).
• Other eligibility requirements, such as a property value limit, also apply.
Eligible Properties
• Single-family homes
• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU): a small residence that shares a single-family lot with a larger, primary dwelling
• 2-to-4-unit residential building where owner lives in one unit (common areas and owner-occupied units are eligible)
• Manufactured home on a permanent foundation
• In all of the above, the homeowner owns the land, and the property is taxed as real estate.
• Condominium or Cooperative Units
Ineligible Properties
• No reverse mortgages
• No investment properties
• No properties with a home equity line of credit
• No ownership in trust or under a contract-for-deed
• No properties primarily used for business (more than 50% of the floorspace is used for business)
AMI & Property Value Charts
Participating Habitat Affiliates in Ilinois
Habitat for Humanity of Champaign County
Habitat for Humanity Chicago
Coles County Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity of Danville
Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County
DuPage Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity Lake County
Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County
Habitat for Humanity of Northern Fox Valley
Habitat for Humanity of Ogle County
Habitat for Humanity Sangamon County
Will County Habitat for Humanity
For Homeowners
If you’re interested in applying for the HAHFR program, please complete the form below.
*Please note, this contact form is NOT an application. If you live in one of the service areas, this information will be used to notify you when applications open.*
For Contractors
Affiliates actively seek bids from qualified contractors at various times throughout the year. Click here to find an affiliate near you!
