Housing and Cash Assistance for Current and Former Youth in Care

Norman Emergency Cash Assistance and housing locator service
Norman Services help families who have children who are in danger of coming into DCFS care (or cannot be returned home from DCFS care) due to lack of food, clothing, housing or other basic human needs.

The program provides the following three services:

• Cash assistance to purchase items needed to care for the children that the client cannot afford to purchase themselves.
• Assistance finding housing.
• A waiver to allow families to apply for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) so that children in DCFS custody can be returned home within 90 days.

For more information, read the Norman Services brochure in English or Spanish.

DCFS Youth Housing Advocacy Program

Housing Advocacy services assist youth in obtaining and/or maintaining stable housing. Services include:

• Assistance in securing affordable housing.
• Consumer education.
• Budget counseling.
• Linkages to community-based resources (i.e. assistance with utilities, clothing and food).
• Follow-up services, for a minimum of three months after appropriate housing is secured.

Note: Housing Advocacy does not include any money.

Youth receiving housing advocacy services must meet all three of the following criteria:

• Be at least 17 ½ and less than 21 years of age.
• Be legally the responsibility of DCFS within six months of case closure or have aged out of DCFS care. Youth who entered adoption or subsidized guardianship after their 14th birthday are also eligible.
• Have an income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs; or be working on obtaining that income. While housing advocacy can begin before income is in place, it is extremely unlikely that youth will be able to secure housing without sufficient income. Housing advocates can often help with employment.

For more information about the Youth Housing Advocacy Program, youth who were once in DCFS care should contact the YHAP coordinator at 312-328-2159 and read the Housing Advocacy Program brochure in English and Spanish.

DCFS Youth Housing Assistance Program

DCFS may provide Cash Assistance to help current or former youth in care attain or maintain housing stability. Cash Assistance will vary depending the youth’s situation. Cash assistance may be authorized for:

• Housing security deposit.
• Rent (limited circumstances).
• Beds for you and your children.
• Current utility bills or utility deposits.
• Appliances.
• Partial housing subsidy for a period of one year following case closure. Your DCFS case must be closed before you can obtain the partial housing subsidy. Housing costs must exceed 30% of income and assistance cannot continue past your 21st birthday).
• Other items required to avoid or manage a crisis.

Youth receiving Cash Assistance must meet all four of the following criteria:

• Be at least 18 and less than 21 years of age.
• Be legally the responsibility of DCFS and ready for case closure or have aged out of DCFS care. Youth who moved to adoption or subsidized guardianship are NOT eligible for cash assistance).
• Have completed a budget statement (Form CFS 370-5C) that demonstrates that with any subsidy and all other income they will be able to cover all remaining living expenses (e.g. housing, utilities, clothing, food).
• Need cash assistance to attain or maintain stable housing.

Read the Youth Housing Assistance tip sheet in English or Spanish and brochure in English or Spanish for more information.
 

Homeless youth agencies

The Illinois Department of Human Services provides services to help youth who are homeless or to prevent youth from becoming homeless. These services include shelter, transitional living programs and outreach. Youth ages 14-20 can access services including case management, food, clothing, life skills training, education and job services. Find a provider.

Need help or want to know more?

The Illinois Housing Handbook, available in English and Spanish, provides a wealth of information to help make obtaining and maintaining housing easier and less confusing, especially for first-time renters.