Chicago Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa ( 35th Ward ) issued a press release urging undocumented Chicagoans to apply for the city's COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant.
The grant, announced March 27 by the Department of Housing and Mayor Lori Lightfoot, will utilize $2 million paid by developers in in-lieu fees under the city's Affordable Requirements Ordinance to fund one-time $1,000 grants to Chicagoans facing economic fallout due to COVID-19.
Chicagoans can apply online at www.bit.ly/chirenta. The application is available in multiple languages and is open from Friday, March 27, to 11:59 p.m. on Wed., April 1. Applications received by the deadline will be entered into a lottery, with the Chicago Department of Housing notifying the selected individuals.
The application does not ask about immigration status, and Chicago's sanctuary city policythe Welcoming City Ordinanceensures applicants' information will not be turned over to ICE.
Ramirez-Rosa is working with immigrant community organizations to promote the program, and his office has prepared bilingual materials to promote the COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grant. Anyone who needs help applying for the grant should contact his ward office at 773-887-3772.