The City currently offers energy assistance payments to homeowners and renters that reside in the City of Peoria and are at risk of becoming homeless due to a pending shut-off or final notice. In addition to energy assistance, the City will now include financial assistance for water and sanitary utilities.

Eligible households can receive a one-time payment for each utility. All utility payments must be as a result of a pending shut-off or final notice.
Maximum Utility Payment Allowances:
Energy: $1,500 per household
Water: $ 500 per household
Sanitary: $ 250 per household

In addition to utility assistance, The City of Peoria has added a new HPRP program: The HPRP Rental Assistance Program (RAP). The RAP program provides up to $2,500 in past due rents for tenants that are at risk of becoming homeless due to an eviction notice or court order.
All eligible HPRP households must reside in the City of Peoria and have a family household income that does not exceed the following income ranges per family size.

The chart is based on 50% of Area Median Income (AMI): For a family of 1, the income limits are at $23,350; for a family of 2, the income limits are at $26,700; for a family of 3, the income limits are at $30,050; for a family of 4, the income limits are at $33,350; for a family of 5, income limits are at $36,050; for a family of 6, income limits are at $38,700; for a family of 7, income limits are at $41,400; and for a family of 8, income limits are at $44,050.

Residential properties built prior to 1978 AND have children under the age of 6 years old, AND/OR have pregnant women residing, will require a lead inspection before assistance can be approved. Properties under this category that have visible cracking or peeling paint on the outside and inside of the home will not be eligible. The inspection will be performed by the City of Peoria.

HPRP Utility and Rental Assistance Programs Applications will be available Monday, January 24, 2011 at the following locations:

PCCEO COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, 711 W. McBean St., Peoria, IL 61605, (309) 671-3900
SALVATION ARMY ASSOCIATION, 401 NE Adams St., Peoria, IL 61655, (309) 655-7272

This program is made available through a grant from the City of Peoria and funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA), Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP).