Emergency Rent & Mortgage Assistance

WHAT WE DO

As our community and nation face the tremendous economic challenges caused by the housing crisis, People's Resource Center (PRC) is a key means of helping families to avoid eviction or foreclosure through short-term rent and mortgage assistance.

DuPage County's unemployment rate is below the national average. However, many of the new jobs within the county are low-wage service jobs. Too often, DuPage County families have their housing threatened because they have experienced an unexpected financial crisis. These financial setbacks can be car repairs, medical emergencies or a reduction in working hours. Food, clothing and housing are the three basic needs that are the most pressing. When a family loses their housing, it can be a long, arduous process to obtain a new home.

HOW WE DO IT

We have saved thousands of people from homelessness over the years. In addition to generous donors, PRC receives state and federal funding to prevent homelessness. As people rely on us for basic needs such as food and clothing, they also learn that PRC can assist them with a short-term housing crisis. The financial assistance is available for the clients once within a 24-month period and all clients must live in DuPage County.

If you are a PRC client, click here to learn how to apply.

If you are NOT a PRC client, click here for assistance.

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IMPACT

Last year, 296 families were counseled through their housing crisis. We were able to help 228 families with at least one month’s emergency rent/mortgage assistance. In a survey conducted 12 months after receiving assistance, we found that 99% remained housed.

YOU CAN HELP

People’s Resource Center relies on the generosity of the community to help support the Emergency Rent and Mortgage Assistance Program. Funding for this program comes from federal and state grants, private foundations and generous individuals. Make a financial gift to keep a family in their home in our community.

VICTORS OF CIRCUMSTANCE

Although the circumstances for a crisis are as different as the people who experience them, here is an example of a typical case that PRC's housing assistance program was able to help.

Sarah came to the PRC looking for assistance to return to a permanent housing situation for her family. Sarah had been a victim of domestic violence. She and her children fled the family home and lived in a shelter for several months. After school was out for the summer, Sarah felt it would be better for her children to move out of the shelter.

Shortly after this move, Sarah lost her job. She was not eligible for unemployment benefits since she was a contract employee. Quickly, her money ran out. She was forced to leave her new housing. This resulted in the family being homeless.

Sarah's sister was able to house the kids, but Sarah was not able to stay with them. Sarah remained homeless for about six weeks while she looked for work. Finally, she obtained a part-time job. Sarah started saving for a new apartment.

After a few weeks on the job, Sarah was given a full-time position. Sarah found an apartment but it was going to take a long time for her to save the money needed for her security deposit and first month's rent. We were able to assist Sarah with both her security deposit and first month's rent, thus getting the family reunited in a new apartment months sooner than without the PRC financial assistance.