The surge in rent prices has affected millions of renters across the country. In addition, thousands of employees are being released from their jobs, leaving them to frantically search for ways to pay their bills.
Chicago is one of the many cities nationwide that provide resources to citizens in need, and rental assistance is one of them. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) has a program called RAP (Rental Assistance Program) that provides funding to Chicagoans at risk of homelessness.
The city’s official website states, “RAP helps Chicagoans who have housing right now but who may become homeless soon because they lost income or had another eligible emergency which prevents them from paying rent.”
Assistance can range from future rent payments or rent arrears to impede eviction and Security deposits in cases of fire, flood, foreclosure, domestic violence, or eviction.
RAP applicants must meet these requirements to be eligible: live in the City of Chicago, be at risk of becoming homeless (due to eviction, loss of income, or other emergency), economically classify as a low-income household, and your landlord completes the RAP requirements.