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August 4, 2021

News • August 4, 2021

With Eviction Ban Lifted, County Urging People to Take Advantage of COVID Rental Assistance

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WOODSTOCK, Ill. – With the federal moratorium on evictions now expired, McHenry County is urging renters who are struggling to pay their rent or utility bills because of COVID-related hardship to seek help through the Emergency Utility and Rental Assistance Program.

Renters and landlords who qualify are eligible for up to 18 months of assistance, and up to 12 months in arrears. A federally mandated halt on evictions, imposed last September by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, expired Aug. 1.

“Since we opened enrollment in March, the McHenry County Emergency Utility and Rental Assistance Program has distributed more than $2.6 million in aid to help keep families in their homes and their utilities running. This important program has become more vital than ever now that the federal ban on evictions has been allowed to expire,” County Board Chairman Mike Buehler, R-Crystal Lake, said. “If you’re having trouble keeping up because of the pandemic, I urge you to apply for relief.”

Qualifying households must be at or below 80 percent of their area’s median income households at 50 percent or lower, or that include dependents or seniors 62 years and older, will get priority. Applicants also must be able to demonstrate a loss of income or employment as a result of COVID-19. Renters who live in public and subsidized housing, as well as households using federal housing choice vouchers, are eligible for aid.

Immigration status is not a factor in determining eligibility.

Applications can be found and submitted at www.McHenryRent.com, which is available in both English and Spanish. Renters who do not have Internet access can call the McHenry County Housing Authority at 815-338-7752, or Consumer Credit Counseling Services at 815-338-5757 for Spanish speakers.

The federal COVID-19 stimulus bill signed into law at the end of last year allocated $9.12 million to McHenry County to reduce pandemic-related evictions, avoid damaged credit, and repair landlord/tenant relationships strained because of late and overdue payments.