Chicago offering free legal help to renters facing eviction

CHICAGO - Now that the eviction moratorium is over in Chicago, city hall is taking steps to level the playing field, offering free legal help to low-income renters facing eviction.

The Chicago Department of Housing said it chose two non-profits to lead the program.

Program leaders said they hope to help stabilize tenants who might otherwise be homeless.

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City leaders said the three-year-old pilot program will utilize $8 million in Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) funds.

To qualify, a person must be a tenant of a residential property. They must also need to make less than 80% of the area median income and be a part of a household that has "experienced financial hardship" as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lastly, eligible households will have to be at risk of homelessness.

City leaders said the criteria isn't difficult to meet, especially for Chicago neighborhoods dominated by renters.