Rental assistance program funds available

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Homesless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program(HPRP) to help very low-income renters in Perry, Randolph and Monroe Counties is available. Funds are available to pay current rent, rent arrears and other related costs for households either homeless or at risk of losing its housing.

Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council (WEEOC) is operating a Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity(DCEO) Program funded through stimulus funds from HUD. Interested persons should call the numbers listed below between 9:00 am - 4:00 pm.

There are several components to the program. A household that has lost their present housing may be eligible for financial (rent including arrearages) assistance to obtain re-housing if it can be documented that there is a lack of financial resources and support networks to obtain housing. This includes victims of domestic violence.

A household that is at-risk of losing their present housing may be eligible for financial (rent including arrearages) assistance with maintaining current housing or obtaining other housing if it can be documented that their loss of housing is imminent, they have no appropriate subsequent housing options, and they have no other financial resources and support networks to assist with maintaining current housing or obtaining other housing.

The third component is comprised of activities that support the two above forms of assistance. This could include housing counseling, one-time financial assistance with paid utility bills, financial counseling, or practical help resolving a dispute.

Housing Coordinator, Robert Schroeder, explained that the amount of assistance you may receive depends on the situation, but may include several months of rent assistance, including arrears, relocation assistance and housing counseling! Michelle Guebert, who verifies applications taken for many programs stated that all you have to do to get started is call in.

To apply for the HPRP Program call or contact

Perry 317 S. Washington - Du Quoin, IL 62832 Phone: (618) 542-4656

Randolph 1820 N. Market Building A - Sparta, IL 62286 Phone: (618) 443-5231

Monroe 207 W. Fourth (rear) - Waterloo, IL 62298 Phone: (618) 939-8715