• The state of Illinois offers a number of grant opportunities for Illinois residences. These grant programs are established to help people buy homes, upgrade their homes, and to assist them in keeping their homes in times of emergency. Seniors can find assistance in bringing their homes up to code or to upgrade them for greater accessibility, while veterans are given grants to encourage home ownership.
  
  

Unemployed and Displaced Workers

• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant program provides emergency financial assistance for the families of unemployed or displaced workers. The grant is designed to quickly help maintain Illinois residences, temporarily pay mortgages, and provide basic shelter for families. The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families grant program also provides financial assistance to for food and to pay utilities.
  
  

Help for Home Buyers

• The Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Trust Fund Grant Program is designed to help non-profit agencies in Illinois sponsor down payment grants or loans for up to $5,000 to be used towards a down payment and closing costs. Homeowners are required to provide an equity contribution to the home's down payment, but it is based on how much they can afford.
  
  

Retired Residents

• Retired Illinois residents, who need help modifying their homes for safety and accessibility, can take advantage of the Trust Fund Home Modification Grant Program administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority. This $2 million dollar grant provides local government agencies and non-profit organizations the funding to assists senior and persons with disabilities in making home upgrades.
  
  

Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grant Program

• The Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Grant Program is an on going Illinois grant program that provides grants of up to $5,000 to help bring Illinois homes up to existing and required building codes. Illinois residences can obtain more information about this grant by contacting the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
  
  

Veterans' Homestead Exemption Grants

• There are two homestead exemption grants available for Illinois veterans. The Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption is a type of grant program that provides Veterans a one-time $5,000 reduction to the residences' assessed taxable value. A new grant called the Disabled Veterans' Standard Homestead Exemption provides a reduction in a property's assessed value based upon the veteran level of disability for up to 75 percent of the residences' assessed taxable value. To receive either of these exemption grants, veterans must contact their local County Assessor's Office and request the Returning Veterans' Homestead Exemption application