Chicago Launches New Round Of 18-Month Rental Assistance Grants

CHICAGO — Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday announced increased funding for pandemic-related rental assistance and plans to double city funding for affordable housing projects with a focus on long neglected neighborhoods on the South Side and West Side.

Renters and landlords can now apply for second round of emergency funding until Dec. 18.
The grant program is funded in part by $102 million from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 and will offer up to 18 months of rental assistance and utility payment assistance for folks facing housing instability since the onset of the pandemic. Renters and landlords can apply online.

The announcement came as Lightfoot announced plans to more than double the number of affordable housing projects proposed in 2019. The mayor said the city will now fund 24 developments creating 2,428 units worth more than $1 billion.

"Investing in affordable housing is a critical component to creating an equitable, strong city," Lightfoot in a statement. "I am thrilled that we've been able to expand our investments in affordable housing to move us closer towards that vision for our city. I look forward to seeing these developments come to life and provide more affordable, safe housing options on our South and West Sides."

City officials announced the funding boost by highlighting the purchase of six acres of land at 18th and Peoria, the biggest vacant parcel in Pilsen, where at least 280 affordable housing units are set to be built.

Other highlights of the affordable housing push include:

• About 75 percent of projects are Equitable Transit-Oriented Developments.
• About 67 percent of projects are on the South and West Sides.
• 10 of 24 developments are led by Black, Indigenous People of Color.
• Five Chicago Housing Authority developments — 566 total units of which 426 are affordable
• Eight of 24 developments are located within INVEST South/West neighborhoods.
• 684 units will be family-sized units with 2-, 3-, and 4-bedrooms.
• 394 units will be affordable to households earning 30% of the area median income.

Total development costs for the 24 Low Income Housing Tax Credits developments are estimated at $952,775,414. The 2021 awardees include:

• 2907 W. Irving Park Apartments, Irving Park
• 4715 N. Western Apartments, Lincoln Square
• Lathrop Homes Phase 1D, Lincoln Park
• Prairie District Apartments (New Construction), Near South Side
• 43 Green Phase II, Grand Boulevard
• Austin United Alliance, Austin
• East Morgan Park Commons, Morgan Park
• Imani Village Senior Residences, Pullman
• LeClaire Courts A, North, Garfield Ridge
• Legends South A3, South Chicago
• The Regenerator, Englewood
• Thrive Englewood, Englewood