EL MERCADO DE BUNGALOW
Browse the list below of available grants and other assistance programs that may be of benefit to our members. Contact the linked agencies to learn more about their programs.
Whole Home Electric
Chicago Bungalow Association in partnership with ComEd
The Chicago Bungalow Association in partnership with ComEd provide customers with free home energy services and improvements.
Whole Home Electric (WHE) is a comprehensive offering that helps save you money and reduces your overall energy usage by replacing fossil fueled appliances and heating and cooling systems with electric systems, at little or no cost to you. Improvements may be available to certain, eligible customers. Qualifying customers must meet additional criteria, including but not limited to household income eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Home is Single-family or Two-Flat
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Located within ComEd service territory
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Household income of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or lower is required.
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Home has a furnace
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Heating or cooling systems are 5 years or older
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Willing to fuel-switch (change home appliances and systems from gas to electric)
Home Energy Savings Program
Chicago Bungalow Association in partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas and North Shore Gas
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 Savings assessment for your home to identify ways to help manage energy use that may include free and discounted energy saving products. Weatherization improvements may be available to certain, eligible customers. Qualifying customers must meet additional criteria, including but not limited to household income eligibility requirements.
Eligibility Requirements:
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Homeowner and/or Renter with owner consent
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Single-family homes, two-flats, condos, and townhomes
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Located within ComEd service territory
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Not a previous Energy Savers or Home Energy Savings Program participant
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Household income of 80% Area Median Income (AMI) or lower is required.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
*Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist low-income households to reduce cost associated with home energy services. Interested residents living in the City of Chicago can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332 for more information or to start the process.
LIHEAP Furnace Assistance
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
*Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through May 29, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Furnace Assistance is a federally funded program that offers furnace assistance through repairs or replacement if your heating system is not functioning properly. Interested residents living in the City of Chicago can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332 for more information or to start the process.
LIHEAP Reconnection Assistance
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
*Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Reconnection Assistance (RA) is a federally funded program that offers one-time assistance to reconnect services OR prevent imminent disconnection. Interested residents living in the City of Chicago can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332 for more information or to start the process.
LIHEAP for Renters
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
*Applications will be taken on a first come first serve basis through August 15, 2026, or until funds are exhausted.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federally funded program designed to assist low-income households to reduce cost associated with home energy services. The program provides cash assistance to eligible renters who do not have heating bills because their energy costs are included in the rent. Interested residents living in the City of Chicago can contact CEDA at 800-571-2332.
Property Tax Exemption
Cook County Assessor's Office
*Exemption application for tax year 2024 closed
Exemptions provide savings by reducing the equalized assessed value of an eligible property. The Cook County Assessor's Office is now accepting applications. Call (312) 443-7550 for more information.
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Homeowner Exemption
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Senior Exemption
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Senior Freeze Exemption
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Persons with Disabilities Exemption
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Veterans with Disabilities Exemption
Illinois Energy Efficiency Loan Program
Energy Finance Solutions in partnership with ComEd, Nicor Gas, Peoples Gas, and North Shore Gas
The Illinois Energy Efficiency Loan Program allows utility customers to pay for energy improvement investments through a monthly loan charge on their utility bill. This program is designed to encourage installation of energy efficiency measures to decrease energy consumption, enhance building comfort, and reduce utility bills.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program
Community and Economic Development Association of Cook County, Inc. (CEDA)
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.
Home Upkeep & Repair Program
Housing Opportunities & Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.)
Senior homeowners are eligible if they:
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Are 62 years of age or older (55 or older if disabled)
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Live south of North Avenue within the City of Chicago
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Have no more than $1,200/month in income (income/mortgage ratio is taken into account)
The homeowner pays a $25 service fee and reimburses H.O.M.E. for job-specific materials. The cost of labor is free.
Beat the Heat - Cooling Areas at Community Centers
City of Chicago
The City of Chicago has services available to help residents cope safely with extreme weather conditions. Make a special effort to check on your friends and neighbors during a heat wave.
Click below for a list of Cooling Centers and contact 311 to:
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Request a well-being check for someone
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Locate a Cooling Center near you
Private Sewer Drain Program
City of Chicago
The private sewer drain moves waste from the home to the main sewer and is owned by the homeowner. Repairs can be covered u the program when the problem is on the public side of the property. If you qualify, the program can save on average $10-$20,000 in repairs and alleviate financial burden for sewer repairs in the public way for homeowners.
The Department of Water Management oversees the program. Call 311 or file a 'Water in Basement' request online.
Lead Service Line Replacement Programs
City of Chicago
Two lead service line replacement programs for homeowners who would like to replace their lead service lines:
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Equity Lead Service Line Replacement Program (income restricted)
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Homeowner Initiated Lead Service Line Replacement Program (not income restricted)
LeadCare Complete
Elevate
LeadCare Complete is administered by Elevate and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The program helps identify sources of lead in water in Chicago childcare facilities and install free lead reducing plumbing upgrades, if eligible. Contact Elevate at 773-906-5142 or email info@LeadCareComplete.org to learn more.
Illinois Shines
Illinois Power Agency
Illinois Shines makes going solar more affordable for more people across Illinois. With valuable incentives, step-by-step guidance, important consumer protection oversight, and an emphasis on equity, Illinois Shines helps everyone in Illinois be a part of the clean energy future, whether you install your own solar panels or not.
Chicago Furniture Bank
Chicago Furniture Bank
The mission of the Chicago Furniture Bank is to provide essential furniture to individuals and families in need. Those in need of furniture must contact and be taken on as a client by one of Chicago Furniture Bank's nonprofit partners to be eligible to receive services from the Chicago Furniture Bank.
Chores Services
City of Chicago
The City of Chicago Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) with ASI NE Healthcare Services is offering Short-Term Chore and Heavy-Duty Chore Services for seniors with the goal to strengthen the ability of elderly to live independently and safely in their homes. For more information, contact DFSS at (312) 744-4016 or call 311.
Senior At Risk Assessment Program
Chicago Fire Department
Do you have a smoke detector? Do you have a working Carbon Monoxide detector? If not, the Chicago Fire Department (CFD) will install them in your home free of charge.
The Chicago Seniors At Risk Assessment Program provides free fire/fall safety assessments for individuals ages 65 or over and those with a disability. Chicago Fire Department members will assess the home for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as other fire and fall hazards. Contact CFD at (312) 747-6691.
Illinois Emergency Homeowner Assistance Fund Program
Illinois Housing Development Authority
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 $60,000 to eliminate or reduce past-due mortgage and property tax payments.
HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program
City of Chicago Department of Housing
The HomeGrown Grant Program assists low- to moderate-income households in achieveing homeownership by providing financial assistance to eligible homebuyers pruchasing a primary residence within the City of Chicago. Grant funds can be used for down payment assistance and closing costs.
Legal Aid
Legal Aid Chicago
Legal Aid Chicago provides free legal assistance in civil cases to residents of Chicago and Suburban Cook County who lack the resources to hire an attorney. To get help, call 312-341-1070, apply online, or find a walk-in clinic.
Legal aid in the following areas:
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Family & Safety
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House & Apartment
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Money & Debt
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Work & Employment Rights
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Health, Disability, and Basic Needs
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Immigration
Shared Cost Sidewalk Program
City of Chicago
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.
Tax Increment Finance Purchase Rehab Program
Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago
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.
Troubled Building Initiative
City of Chicago
If turned around, troubled buildings can have a revitalizing effect on the surrounding community. The troubled Building Initiative (TBI) is a tool to help reclaim troubled and abandoned building that create dangerous and hazardous conditions. If you have a troubled building on your lock, contact 311's non- emergency line.
