Find financial aid, emergency shelter, legal help and tenant support in 2021.
By Justin Agrelo
(Art: Raziel Puma for City Bureau)
Originally published February 3, 2021 / Updated May 25, 2021
Chicago residents are still reeling from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic nearly a year after it began. The patchwork of government, nonprofit and mutual aid can be challenging to access. To help folks find much-needed resources, we’ve compiled a list of various housing and food related resources that you can access right now.
Financial Assistance and Shelter
The City of Chicago will offer housing assistance through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program for struggling tenants and landlords. The application is open now until June 8.
The Illinois Domestic Violence Helpline connects people experiencing domestic abuse to temporary emergency shelter, counseling and other resources. Call their 24-hour hotline at (877) 863-6338 or (877) 863-6339 (TTY).
Amani House provides short-term housing for women, women with children and intact families. Call their 24-hour line at (773) 874-8345.
The Brighton Park Neighborhood Council offers rental and mortgage assistance as well as assistance for lighting and gas bills for residents in Brighton Park. Call (773) 523-7110 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Legal Aid
The Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing offers free legal help to tenants facing eviction, utility shut-offs or other housing-related legal issues. They may also fight certain cases in eviction court. Call (312) 347-7600.
Legal Aid Chicago provides free civil legal assistance in English and Spanish to Chicago and suburban Cook County residents with limited income. They can help with unemployment insurance benefits, evictions, and other civil legal issues. Call (312) 341-1070 or apply online.
The newly launched Early Resolution Program provided through Cook County Legal Aid for Housing and Debt offers free legal assistance, counseling, pre-court mediation and case management for Cook County residents who are dealing with eviction, foreclosure, and unresolved debt. Call (855) 956-5763 or visit their website.
Tenant Rights
The Metropolitan Tenants Organization has been mediating disputes between tenants and their landlords for decades. Their tenant rights hotline is open to English and Spanish speakers. Call (773) 292-4988 Monday-Friday, from 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
The Chicago Tenants Movement is a group of community organizers that can help renters facing housing issues like an illegal lockout. They can refer people to legal aid and also offer information on how to form a tenants union in English and Spanish. Call (773) 657-8700, Wednesday-Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The Autonomous Tenants Union offers resources in both English and Spanish—from how to make a 3-1-1 call to templates of letters you can give your landlord.
Rentervention offers free immediate, step-by-step support with most housing-related issues. Visit the website or text “hi” to 866-7RENTER or (866) 773-6837.
The Department of Housing gathers information and resources for renters at-risk of eviction or facing a lockout from a landlord.
Mutual Aid
Mutual aid groups are run by volunteers who collect, distribute and organize resources within a community, using the principle of “solidarity, not charity.” These informal groups both accept donations and offer resources, often with no questions asked. For full list, check the COVID Resource Finder.
Brave Space Alliance delivers free food to residents within city limits through their crisis pantry program. Visit their website or call (872) 333-5199.
The Love Fridge provides free groceries through its fully stocked, colorfully decorated refrigerators. You can grab food any time with no questions asked.
The Bronzeville-Kenwood Mutual Aid group drops off food and supplies and performs wellness checks for South Side residents at no cost.
Pick up groceries, baby supplies, personal hygiene items and PPE from 360 Nation’s Lil Miracles project. Boxes are available every third Thursday of the month at 4320 W. 5th Ave., between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The Humboldt Park Solidarity Network offers food, supplies, mental health support, wellness checks and more to Humboldt Park residents. Visit @HPSolidarityNetwork on Instagram or call at (312) 883-7526.
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