The Chicago Bungalow Association in partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas, provide customers with free home energy services and improvements.
 
The program offers a free home energy assessment for your home and may include free weatherization services and installation of energy-saving products to help increase comfort, lower utility bills, and improve the value of your home.

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Eligibility Requirements:

• Single-family home or two-flat

• Built at least 30 years ago

• Owner occupied

  • If applying for a two-flat, both units must be inhabited, and the
    building owner must occupy one unit.

• Located in Cook County (City of Chicago and surrounding suburbs)

• Not a previous Energy Savers Program participant

• Household income of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or lower is required. 

• Rebates for ENERGY STAR® qualified appliances, heating and cooling systems, and smart thermostats

• Discounts on ENERGY STAR® qualified lightbulbs

• Energy saving tips and additional programs

• Rebates up to $600 for qualifying boilers, furnaces, water heaters, and programmable thermostats

• Energy saving tips and additional programs

Illinois is leading the nation in offering solar power incentives to homeowners through Illinois Solar for All (income restricted) and Illinois Shines (not income restricted)!

• Utility bill assistance

• Home weatherization

• Furnace repair & replacement

• Family support

• Women, infants and children

• Housing services

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist low-income households with paying their past due water and wastewater (sewer) bills. Interested residents living in the City of Chicago can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332 for more information or to start the process.

Two lead service line replacement programs for homeowners who would like to replace their lead service lines.

Voluntary program in which property owners share the cost of sidewalk repair with the City. Thousands of Chicagoans have been a part of this popular program, taking advantage of the low cost, exceptional value, and ease of participation. Applications taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) provides grants to eligible owner-occupants of one to four-unit residential buildings to assist them with emergency heating system repairs during the winter season. The average grant is $7,000.

The Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS) program provides enabling devices to one to four-unit residences occupied by low-and moderate income seniors who are at least 60 years of age.

Formerly known as the Roof and Porch Repair Program, the Home Repair Program (HRP) expanded to include remediation of environmental health hazards and accessible repairs for eligible applicants for calendar years 2021 and 2022. Grants will be provided under grant agreements with homeowners for rehabilitation or repair services up to $24,999.

The Additional Dwelling Unit (ADU) Pilot Program supports homeowners in acquiring additional income or to more easily age in place by adding one additional unit to their property. 

Affordable, fixed-rate home improvement loans for large or small needs through an Illinois state-licensed, nonprofit mortgage lender.

The Critical Home Improvement Program (CHIP) provides eligible homeowners with up to $15,000 in health and safety home repairs in Auburn Gresham, Avalon Park, Chatham, Englewood, and Greater Grand Crossing. Eligible home repairs include – but are not limited to – roofs, windows, entryways, porches, masonry; and interior health and safety improvements, including repairs to heating, electrical and plumbing systems.

Members of SWHEAP are eligible to apply for special no-to low-interest loans to repair or remodel their homes.

Members of NWHEAP are eligible to apply for special no-to low-interest loans to repair or remodel their homes.

Covers exterior home repairs. To qualify, you must have an owner-occupied residential property (1 to 4 dwelling units) in one of the City of Chicago’s 10 MMRP Target Areas or the Woodlawn or North Lawndale Community Areas.

The Tax Increment Finance Purchase Rehab (TIFPR) program is a City of Chicago initiative which uses Tax Increment Finance (TIF) funding as a forgivable loan to purchase and rehab vacant 1-4-unit residential properties within active TIF districts that have allocated money to be used for this purpose.

The MMRP Purchase Assistance Grant provides up to $15,000 in down payment assistance for the purchase of a home in one of the City of Chicago’s 11 Micro Market Recovery Program (MMRP) Areas.

Assistance to Illinois homeowners who have struggled to pay their mortgage due to COVID-19. Now accepting applications from homeowners for grants of up to $30,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust (CLIHTF) provides annual subsidies to rental property owners to reduce rents for residents of Chicago who make less than 30% of the area median income. 

Available through participating lenders, the TaxSmart program provides a federal income tax credit to qualified homebuyers and homeowners—helping them save money on federal income taxes.

The Neighborhood Lending Program (NLP) provides forgivable loans or grants covering the closing cost, appraisal gaps, affordability assistance, and specific rehabilitation costs for qualifying borrowers for eligible single-family properties and multi-family homes of two to four-units. 

​If turned around, troubled buildings can have a revitalizing effect on the surrounding community.

You may be eligible to receive financial assistance for the following services:

• Water/Sewer Payment

• Energy Utility Bill Assistance

• Rental Assistance

• Temporary Shelter

• Financial Management

• Food

• Employment Training/Placement

Personalized foreclosure and post-purchase counseling and education for at-risk homeowners to avoid foreclosure. Housing counselors may also assist homeowners in communicating with their mortgage servicer including understanding the different lossmitigation options which may be available to them.

The Chicago Community Land Trust (CCLT) provides working individuals and families with opportunities to purchase their own homes at prices they can afford, along with a network of support to help ensure their ongoing success. 

Housing Counseling Centers (HCC) are HUD-Certified Housing Counseling Agencies who help individuals work towards achieving homeownership in the short-term or long-term. 

Chicago Moves is a financial assistance program aimed at providing financial relief for Chicago residents struggling with transportation expenses.