Community Connect has the resources you need to feel more secure... assistance for renters and landlords who want to keep their homes intact and a new program to help musicians save for retirement.
If you’re renting and facing eviction or a landlord with a tenant who’s in that situation, the Illinois Housing Development Authority has help… they’ve restarted its Court-Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP). Tenants or landlords can apply with eviction court documentation and applicants could get up to $15,000 in emergency rental payments covering past-due rent, court costs, and future rent to prevent eviction, regardless of immigration status and without requiring a social security number. To apply, visit the Illinois Housing Help website at this link and be prepared to provide proof of income, address, and eviction details.
And the city of Chicago is piloting a retirement fund for Chicago musicians called the Golden Egg to give them the same access to financial benefits with their freelance work that people get at companies. It’s a matching retirement grant program, hosted by nonprofit venue Experimental Sound Studio and funded by a $100,000 grant from the city’s Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). The funding will be used to disperse money to Chicago musicians and support additional programming for them like financial planning workshops. You can apply for the program through November 1st. Eligible musicians must be Chicago residents between the ages of 20 and 65, have had an adjusted gross income of $80,000 per year or less since tax year 2021 and pledge to make a matching contribution of any amount. Apply at this link and get more info here.
& Remember, our community moves forward in the best way possible when we all get the help we need and give the help we can!