Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is the application currently open for the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund Rental Subsidy Program (RSP)?

A: At this time our application is closed for adding new properties to the Rental Subsidy Program. When the application opens up enrollment, information will be posted on our website.

Q2: Are the subsidies property-based, or may a tenant take a subsidy with them when they move?

A:  The subsidies are property-based.  The Trust Fund signs a contract with the landlord, and the subsidies are deposited directly into the landlord’s account (or given to the landlord as a quarterly check, if that is preferred).  A tenant may not take the subsidy with them when they move, except in very limited circumstances.

Q3: What are the limited circumstances under which a tenant might take a subsidy with them when they move?

A:  This will only be allowed where the tenant is moving because the landlord has stopped receiving Trust Fund subsidies for that tenant’s unit.  Typically, this will only occur when the Trust Fund is either temporarily or permanently ending its relationship with the landlord.  A tenant may never move while retaining the benefit of a subsidy unless they have received a letter from the Trust Fund expressly allowing them to do so, and to be eligible for such, the tenant must be in good standing on their current lease.

Q4: What are a tenant’s options when the landlord chooses not to renew the tenant’s lease?

A:  Unless the Trust Fund is ending its relationship with that landlord, the tenant may not take a subsidy with them under these circumstances.  The tenant may, however, find a different, vacant, Trust Fund subsidized unit anywhere in the City, and apply directly to that unit’s landlord for a new tenancy.  Please note that acceptance by a past landlord does not guarantee acceptance by a future landlord.  Each landlord has the right to employ his/her own selection criteria, so long as the landlord is in compliance with the law.

 

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FOIA Requests

The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund is an open and public organization. The State of Illinois’ Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”, or the “Act”) was enacted in 1984 to provide all persons with full and complete information regarding the affairs of government and the official acts and policies of those who represent them as public officials and employees.

While the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund (the “Trust Fund”) is not a public body as contemplated under the Act, the Trust Fund is voluntarily compliant with FOIA, in keeping with our Articles and Bylaws.

 

Please submit your FOIA request to the Trust Fund via email at gro.fthilc@aiof.

 

To avoid processing delays, your email request must include the following information:

1. Name of requesting party.

2. Company name (if applicable).

3. Email address for communications/responses (if different than the sender’s address).

4. Specific records sought (identify specific program, building, owner, etc.).

5. Years of records sought (if you do not need records older than the current year or the last year, you must so specify – failing to specify a time frame may lead to significant delays in processing).

6. Your request must include a statement that the request either is, or is not, for a commercial purpose.

Section 2( c-10) of FOIA defines “commercial purpose” as the use of any part of a public record or records, or information derived from public records, in any form for sale, resale, or solicitation or advertisement for sales or services. For purposes of this definition, requests made by news media and nonprofit, scientific, or academic organizations shall not be considered to be made for a “commercial purpose” when the principal purpose of the request is (i) to access and disseminate information concerning news and current or passing events, (ii) for articles of opinion or features of interest to the public, or (iii) for the purpose of academic, scientific, or public research or education.

 

Any FOIA request for information regarding a specific subsidized household must include a signed letter from an adult member of said household authorizing the release of personal information.

Certain requests for information may necessitate the requestor reviewing records physically, where scanning is impractical. You may be contacted prior to receiving FOIA disclosures if the nature of your request is unclear, or if your request cannot be processed.

*FEES MAY BE CHARGED FOR REQUESTS INVOLVING THE REPRODUCTION AND/OR REDACTION OF A LARGE NUMBER OF RECORDS

You may also – but are not required to – send a hard-copy of a request to the contact information listed below.

Attn: Annissa Lambirth-Garrett, FOIA Request

Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund

77 West Washington Street, Suite 719

Chicago, IL 60602