DFCS

This program provides funding to agencies to fund legal aid organizations across the State of Illinois to provide direct legal aid and assistance to increase awareness around renter rights and to represent renters in eviction court proceedings.

Order under Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act (42.U.S.C. 264) and 42 Code of Federal Regulations 70.2

Illinois Equal Justice Act (30 ILCS 765/1 et. seq.) Executive Order 2021-11 extends the moratorium on Illinois evictions to June 26, 2021; Executive Order 2021-(COVID-19 EXECUTIVE ORDER NO.82)

30 ILCS 708/) Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (310 ILCS 70/) Homelessness Prevention Act (310 ILCS 70/2) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1302) Sec. 2. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that homelessness frequently results from a temporary economic crisis such as a temporary loss of employment, medical emergency, or loss or interruption of public benefits. It is also found that the prevention of homelessness, as opposed to providing temporary shelter or offering other short-term solutions to persons who become homeless, is cost-effective, preserves family self-respect and helps to keep families intact. The General Assembly also finds that short-term interventions for the prevention of homelessness serve to prevent the need for long-term assistance programs that are more costly to taxpayers. (Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.) (30 ILCS 708/) Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (310 ILCS 70/) Homelessness Prevention Act (310 ILCS 70/2) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1302) Sec. 2. Legislative findings. The General Assembly finds that homelessness frequently results from a temporary economic crisis such as a temporary loss of employment, medical emergency, or loss or interruption of public benefits. It is also found that the prevention of homelessness, as opposed to providing temporary shelter or offering other short-term solutions to persons who become homeless, is cost-effective, preserves family self-respect and helps to keep families intact. The General Assembly also finds that short-term interventions for the prevention of homelessness serve to prevent the need for long-term assistance programs that are more costly to taxpayers. (Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.) (310 ILCS 70/4.5) Sec. 4.5. Grant eligibility. The Department shall award grants to grantees that agree to focus their emergency response systems on homeless prevention and securing permanent or transitional housing for homeless households. The Department shall consider the extent to which the proposed project activities demonstrate ways in which existing resources in a service area may be more effectively coordinated. Priority in awarding grants will be given to applicants participating in an established continuum of care. (Source: P.A. 91-388, eff. 1-1-00.) (310 ILCS 70/8) (from Ch. 67 1/2, par. 1308) Sec. 8. Payment of assistance. Assistance provided under this Act may be paid to a landlord, mortgage company, utility company, or other vendor who provides housing or other services to an applicant for assistance. (Source: P.A. 96-291, eff. 8-11-09.) (310 ILCS 70/11) Sec. 11. The program shall provide for outreach to persons who are likely to be in need of assistance. Such outreach may include, but shall not be limited to, general publicity, and cooperation with other agencies and court and sheriff's personnel involved in eviction matters. Title 47: Housing and Community Development; New Part 47-378.304: Eviction Moratorium (Eff 5/14/21; Exp 10/10/21) EMERGENCY - 45 Ill. Reg. 6675 Bipartisan-Bicameral Omnibus COVID Relief Deal- https://rules.house.gov/sites/democrats.rules.house.gov/files/BILLS-116HR133SA-RCP-116-68.pdf(30 ILCS 765/) Illinois Equal Justice Act

The legal assistance component of the program provides a suite of resources for participants to utilize, depending on where they are in eviction proceedings. These include a central intake and needs assessment, eviction prevention tools and resources, know your rights trainings/resources, virtual legal clinics, direct legal representation, mediation, and courtroom access to rental assistance. This funding has been provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) in response to the current eviction crisis which has been heightened by the public health pandemic. IEJF has been charged with distributing the grant funding to civil legal aid and mediation organizations to assist Illinois residents facing eviction and housing instability. This funding supports the state-wide eviction services created in FY 21 as Eviction Help Illinois.

Yes

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Nonprofit Organizations;

The applicant must meet the Registration, Pre-qualification and any other Mandatory Requirements listed in this funding opportunity. Applicants must provide the following information via the Grantee Portal annually to be registered with the State of Illinois as an awardee: • Organization name and contact information • Federal Employee Identification Number (FEIN) • Unique Identity Number (UEI) • Organization type Applicants must be prequalified; therefore, applications from entities that have not prequalified prior to and on the due date of this application will NOT be reviewed and will NOT be considered for funding. Items a) through e) below are the prequalification requirements. a) Unique Entity Identifiers and SAM Registration: Each applicant (unless the applicant is an individual or State awarding agency that is exempt from those requirements under 2 CFR § 25.110(b) or (c), or has an exception approved by the Federal or State awarding agency under 2 CFR § 25.110(d)) is required to: • Be registered in SAM.gov before the application due date. • Provide a valid unique entity identifier (UEI) in its application. • Continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration by the awarding agency. The State Agency may not make an award until applicant has fully complied to all UEI and SAM requirements. The State Agency may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied to requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant or applicants. b) Must be in "good standing" with the Illinois Secretary of State if the Illinois Secretary of State requires the entity's organization type to be registered. c) Must not be on the Illinois Stop Payment List d) Must not be on the Sam.gov Exclusion List e) Must not be on the Medicaid Sanctions List Additional Mandatory Requirements A) Applicants should demonstrate their compliance with the following requirements that will be incorporated into the grant agreement: 1) Advance coordinated, statewide efforts to prevent eviction and reduce entries into homelessness by strengthening access to legal assistance, mediation, and housing stabilization supports. 2) Support system alignment across housing, legal services, and human services partners to improve pathways for households experiencing housing instability to remain safely housed. 3) Implement service delivery strategies that promote equitable access to prevention resources, particularly for communities disproportionately impacted by housing instability. 4) Strengthening collaboration among legal aid providers, courts, mediation partners, and community-based organizations to improve outcomes for households at risk of eviction. 5) Administer program funds in a manner that builds sustainable infrastructure for eviction prevention and supports long-term systems improvements. 6) Track and report performance outcomes demonstrate progress toward housing stability, reduced displacement, and improved coordination across systems. 7) Maintain compliance with federal and state grant requirements, including financial management standards, performance reporting, and monitoring expectations. 8) Contribute to broader statewide efforts to improve housing stability and advance Illinois' goal of preventing and ending homelessness.

Illinois tenants may be eligible to receive ILRPP assistance if: The household is at risk of homelessness or housing instability (i.e. household received a past due rent or eviction notice). The household lives in Illinois and rents their home as their primary residence. The total gross income cannot exceed 80% Area Median Income for location (find county income limits here). The household experienced a financial hardship, including a loss of income or increased expenses, due to the COVID-19 pandemic

Project Grants

Human Services

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All competitive grant applications are subject to merit-based review. Review criteria are based upon the requirements set forth in the following: 44 IL Adm. Code 7000.350 - Merit Based Review of Grant Applications http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html and the IDHS Merit Review Manual. A) Address to Request Application Package. 1. How to access application forms or other materials needed to apply: a. The complete application package (this Notice of Funding Opportunity, including links to required forms) is available through the Illinois Catalog of Financial Assistance and the IDHS Grants Website Page located: IDHS: Grant Funded Programs (state.il.us) b. Each Applicant must have access to the internet. The Department's website will contain information regarding the NOFO and materials necessary for submission. Questions and answers will also be posted on the Department's website as described in this announcement (section 1subsection I, ii). It is the responsibility of each applicant to monitor the website and comply with any instructions or requirements related to the NOFO. B) Unique entity identifier and System for Award Management (SAM.gov). 1. Each applicant must: a. Be registered in SAM.gov before submitting its application; b. Provide a valid unique entity identifier in its application; and c. Continue to maintain an active registration in SAM.gov with current information at all times during which it has an active award or an application or plan under consideration. d. The Department may not make an award until applicant has fully complied with all UEI and SAM requirements e. The Department may determine that an applicant is not qualified if they have not complied with the requirements and use that determination as a basis to award another applicant. 2. If individuals are eligible to apply, they are exempt from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(b). 3. If the agency exempts any applicants from this requirement under 2 CFR 25.110(c) or (d), a statement to that effect. C) Submission Instructions. 1. Actions needed prior to applying: Applicants must be registered with the State of Illinois and Pre-qualified in the GATA portal prior to applying for Illinois awards. Instructions for creating an account and registering are located at the following link: Illinois GATA Grantee Portal. Additionally, detailed instructions for registration and prequalification requirements, including the expected amount of time for completion are located here: Grant Applicant Pre-Qualification and Pre-Award Requirements 2. The methods for submitting the application: a. Applicants must electronically submit the complete application including all required narratives and attachments in the prescribed order, as outlined in Attachment A Program Application, to include: i. Program Narrative ii. Uniform-Application-for-State-Grant-Assistance.pdf iii. Grantee Conflict of Interest Disclosure iv. Budget (entered into the CSA system as described in section (4) (A) ~ b. Applications must be sent electronically to dhs.ohs.keyprojects@illinois.gov. The application will be electronically time-stamped upon receipt. The Department will ONLY accept applications submitted by electronic mail sent to dhs.ohs.keyprojects@illinois.gov. Include the following in the subject line: NOFO number and your agency name. Application submissions or delivery to any other email address or contact, including other IDHS offices or employees, will not be considered for review or funding. Applications will not be accepted if received by fax machine, hard copy, disk, or thumb drive. c. Documents must include the following password: N/A d. Software or electronic capabilities required are as follows: N/A e. Applicants are required to notify the Department within 48 hours of the deadline, if they do not receive an email notifying them that their application was received. If the applicant does not receive an email and does not notify the Department within 48 hours, their application will be considered a late submission and will NOT be reviewed or scored. The applicant will NOT have the right to protest the submission/receipt of their application to the Department after 48 hours. In the event of a dispute the applicant bears the burden of proof that the application was received on time at the email location listed above (and that the budget was submitted into the CSA system on time).

All competitive grant applications are subject to merit-based review. Review criteria are based upon the requirements set forth in the following: 44 IL Adm. Code 7000.350 - Merit Based Review of Grant Applications http://www.ilga.gov/commission/jcar/admincode/044/044070000D03500R.html and the IDHS Merit Based Review Manual. Criteria and Weighting of Each Criteria ALL applicants must demonstrate that they meet all requirements under this NOFO as described throughout. Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in the Eligible Applicants and Mandatory Requirements of Applicants as identified in Section C Eligibility Information will not be evaluated and considered for funding. Criteria and Weighting of each criterion: •Executive Summary (5 points) •Capacity/Agency Qualifications (30 points) •Community Identification/Description of Need (10 points) •Quality/Description of Program Services, Design and Implementation (Project Plan) (45 points) •Budget & Cost Justification (10 points) •Additional detail is provided in the Application (Attachment A). Budget & Costs Justification: The extent to which the budget narrative provides: a. Thorough and clear justification for all proposed line-item expenditures. b. All expenditures and program costs are reasonable and allowable. c. Proposed staffing is sufficient to address customer projections and customer language needs. d. Where available, supplemental or companion funding is clearly identified. ALL applicants must demonstrate that they meet all requirements under this NOFO as described throughout. Applications that fail to meet the criteria described in the Eligible Applicants and Mandatory Requirements of Applicants as identified in Section C Eligibility Information will not be evaluated and considered for funding.

Scoring will be on a 100-point scale. Scoring will not be the sole award criterion. The Department reserves the right to consider other factors such as: geographical distribution, ICQ and PRA results, demonstrated need, past performance as a state grantee, etc. While recommendations of the review panel will be a key factor in the funding decisions, the Department maintains final authority over funding decisions and considers the findings of the review panel to be non-binding recommendations. Any internal documentation used in scoring or awarding of grants shall not be considered public information. The Department reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to adjust award amounts, targets, etc. The Department reserves the right to approve all or deny any portion of an application. In accordance with Section C. Eligibility Information, an entity must be in qualified status as of the Application Review Date for their grant application to be considered by the state awarding agency. Merit-Based Review Appeal Process In accordance with GATA Administrative Rules, Section 350, Merit Based Review of Grant Applications, a merit-based application review is required for competitive Grants and Cooperative Agreements, unless prohibited by State or federal statute. Deadlines

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Renewals are at the discretion of the department and based on the performance of the grantee.

This program has no cost sharing or matching requirement.

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1. Submission of accurate Monthly Grant Invoice (IL 444-5257 (R-10-22)) with general ledger and supporting documentation by the 15th of each month for expenses incurred in the previous month. 2. Submission of accurate Periodic Performance Reports (GOMBGATU-4001 (N-08-17) no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. 3. Submission of accurate quarterly Periodic Financial Reports (GOMBGATU-4002 (N-08-17) no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. 4. Submission of Close Out Reports no later than 60 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. 5. Submission of any other documentation requested by DHS within 10 days of request. 6. Time Period for Close-out Reports. Grantee shall submit a Close-out Report pursuant to Paragraph 13.2 and no later than 60 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. 7. Time Period for Required Periodic Performance Reports. Grantee shall submit Performance Reports to Grantor pursuant to Paragraph 14.1 and such reports must be submitted no later than 15 days after the quarter ends. Periodic Performance Reports will include the following information: funding source, program name, total reporting period awards, total remaining to award, and applicable award demographics (when applicable and available). 8. Time Period for Close-out Performance Reports. Grantee agrees to submit a Close-out Performance Report, pursuant to Paragraph 14.2 and no later than 60 days after this Agreement's end of the period of performance or termination. 9. Reported expenses should be consistent with the approved annual grant budget. Any expenditure variances require prior Grantor approval in accordance with Article VI of the Uniform Grant Agreement to be reimbursable.

Grantee shall be subject to the audit requirements contained in the Single Audit Act Amendments of 1996 (31 USC 7501-7507) and Subpart F of 2 CFR Part 200, and the audit rules and policies set forth by the Governor's Office of Management and Budget. See 30 ILCS 708/65(c); 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.90

Grantee shall maintain for three (3) years from the date of submission of the final expenditure report, adequate books, all financial records and, supporting documents, statistical records, and all other records pertinent to this Award, adequate to comply with 2 CFR 200.334, unless a different retention period is specified in 2 CFR 200.334 or 44 Ill. Admin. Code 7000.430(a) and (b). If any litigation, claim or audit is started before the expiration of the retention period, the records must be retained until all litigation, claims or audit exceptions involving the records have been resolved and final action taken.

General Revenue Funds

FY26 approximately $5,000,000

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Chicago

https://iejf.org/

Rental and Court Based Assistance, Immigrant and Refugee Housing Assistance Project, Emergency Rental Assistance Program, Housing Awareness Assistance Program

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Merit Based Review; Notice of Funding Opportunity; Other;

FY 2021 : $2,000,000
FY 2022 : $5,833,358
FY 2023 : $4,652,903
FY 2024 : $2,000,000
FY 2025 : $5,000,000
FY 2026 : $5,000,000