Facing Eviction or Housing Loss in DuPage County IL? Here's How the System Works
DuPage County has a network of agencies funded through the federal Continuum of Care (CoC) program that can help residents who are facing eviction, foreclosure, or imminent homelessness. This page covers what's available through the county's Continuum of Care (CoC) system for people facing eviction, foreclosure, or housing loss — and how to access it. Depending on your situation, help may include payment of overdue rent or mortgage, security deposit assistance, short-term case management, and referrals to legal aid or rehousing programs.
The fastest way to find out what you qualify for is to call DuPage County Community Services at (630) 407-6500, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also apply online / email at [email protected], or dial 2-1-1 at any time for free, around-the-clock referrals. The rest of this page explains what each program type actually means and which local agencies are currently providing services.
How the Homelessness Prevention Program Works
The DuPage County CoC's Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) is a network of funded community agencies that provide one-time or short-term financial assistance to residents who are on the verge of losing housing. The money can go toward overdue rent, mortgage arrears, security deposits, or utility bills — whatever specific gap is putting housing at risk.
This isn't a general assistance fund. To qualify, your household must be able to demonstrate that the crisis is temporary and that you can cover future costs once the emergency is resolved. That means showing current income or documenting a recovery plan. The landlord or mortgage company must also agree to accept payment and halt eviction or foreclosure proceedings once a signed assistance voucher is received. And you must not have received prevention assistance from another CoC agency within the past 24 months — using one agency may affect eligibility at another, since funds are pooled and limited.
The HPP publishes an updated list of participating agencies and the specific communities each one serves. Rather than listing every agency here (they can change from year to year), the most current version is available at https://www.dupagehomeless.org/strategies/homelessness-prevention/, the official DuPage CoC website.
What "Diversion" Means Before You Enter the Formal System
Before placing anyone in a prevention program or emergency shelter, the CoC's intake process includes a step called diversion. A case worker will talk through whether there's an immediate, practical alternative to entering the formal system — reconnecting with family, negotiating directly with a landlord, or getting a small amount of targeted financial help to stabilize a situation that's close to resolution. This isn't about turning people away. It's about keeping limited program slots available for households in the deepest need, and finding faster solutions when they exist.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Funds
Separate from the CoC prevention money, DuPage County also administers federal Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds through its Community Development Commission. ESG funding can support homelessness prevention, emergency shelter, and street outreach programs. DuPage County These funds flow to nonprofit sub-grantees, not directly to individuals, which is another reason the starting point for any resident should be Community Services at (630) 407-6500 or a call to 211.
Rapid Rehousing: For Those Who Have Already Lost Housing
If preventing the eviction is no longer possible, the goal shifts to getting the household into stable housing as fast as possible — the approach known as rapid rehousing. Rather than staying in emergency shelter indefinitely, rapid rehousing provides short- to medium-term rental subsidies plus case management to help a family secure and sustain a new unit. The county's rapid rehousing programs are also accessed through the CoC and the county's Coordinated Entry System — again, starting with (630) 407-6500 or a call to 211.
A Note on Foreclosure
Homeowners facing foreclosure are also served by the prevention network, not just renters. Several HPP agencies provide mortgage assistance and, in some cases, referrals to HUD-approved housing counselors in Illinois who can work with lenders on modifications or payment plans. The eligibility requirements mirror those for renters — you'll need to show that the crisis is temporary and that you can sustain future payments.
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