Homeless prevention in DuPage County.
There are eviction prevention and rapid rehousing programs available in DuPage County. There is support arranged the non-profit Continuum of Care Homeless Prevention and Re-housing Services, and both the federal government or charities such as the People Resource Center participate.
When someone is qualified (and more information is on that below), the tenant may be given short term financial aid along with other supportive services. A major part of this additional assistance is in the form of referrals. Applicants can learn about free legal aid, credit repair services, and get information on rules and regulations regarding accessing fair market housing in the area.
There are as many as 6 agencies in DuPage County Illinois that are part of the Continuum of Care. The list may change from year to year, but at the end of the day there will always be a focus on stopping evictions as well as foreclosures in the community.
Continuum of Care agencies in DuPage County
There are several non-profits that work to stop evictions. The main ones include Department of Community Services, the non-profit PRC - People’s Resource Center, Salvation Army, Catholic Charities, Outreach Community Ministries, and also the regional Hinsdale Community Service. Each of them offer their own homeless prevention programs to those that qualify. Some are based on geography (so where the family lives in the county) and others are based on funding levels. There are also resources for helping borrowers with a delinquent mortgage.
The main intake link below can refer the client to the agency that can best meet their needs. Applications are needed, and only qualified residents can get help. Some of the criteria in the region are as follows.
-Income guidelines are in place, and much of the aid is for people on the verge of poverty.
-The landlord needs to agree to accept payment or mediation from a Continuum of Care agency.
-Future rent and heating bills must be paid by the family, and applicant's need to document this by showing proof of future income as well as public benefits.
-Of course the applicant must live in DuPage County as well, and eviction help is for all towns and cities including Wheaton, Naperville, as well as Aurora and other sites.
Forms of homeless prevention assistance
This will depend on the application process above. Another key factor is the overall funding level, as the amount of money available for paying rent, motel rooms, or utilities is limited. What may be provided as part of rehousing and eviction prevention, when possible, is below.
The several agencies that are involved in the DuPage County Continuum of Care will offer some or all of the following. Ranging from short term accommodations to ESG grants and even non-interest loans, help is available.
Temporary housing is part of housing. There is everything from emergency shelters in DuPage County to transitional housing as well as motel vouchers. They will try to place clients in housing that meets fair market rent as determined by HUD. If that is not enough for the client, then they may be referred to section 8 too.
After a stay in this housing, the formerly homeless can apply for financial aid. They need to be stable first and have a source of income. It does not matter whether the DuPage County family is homeless either from an eviction or foreclosure, they can apply for security deposit help.
Referrals are given to basic services. Often homeless families struggle to come up with the money to buy furniture or to pay for appliances and household supplies. When this occurs, The Continuum of Care agencies such as the Salvation Army may allow the person to use their thrift store.
Eviction assistance also includes cash grants in DuPage County. The organizations will pay out a few dollars here and there for rental or utility arrears, even including water or heating bills. This will require the client to take up future costs on their own as well, as funding is limited.
Legal aid and mediation is arranged too. The team at the People’s Resource Center will go over both Tenant/Landlord Rights as well as refer them to free legal services. Often a tenant with a pay or quit notice can get free legal aid in housing court, and this can be effective in preventing an eviction as well.
Information on all of these homeless prevention programs can be obtained by dialing Community Services at (630) 407-6500. All funding is limited, and not everyone will be eligible for eviction help. There will always be a focus on residents of DuPage County who have otherwise be self-sufficient, but that have a short term emergency.
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