Help available for Kane County residents about to lose homes

Nearly $500,000 in federal stimulus funds is now available to central Kane County residents facing foreclosure or eviction.

Lazarus House in St. Charles recently received about $490,000 in grant funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to assist households on the verge of homelessness. Several organizations in Aurora and Elgin also are on tap to receive an additional $1.7 million.

"This is for a unique group of people, many who probably have never faced financial crisis like this before," said Liz Eakins, associate director and outreach manager at Lazarus House. "They just need a little partnership to get them through tough times."

In all, $2.2 million in Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing grants are expected in Kane County, some of which also will subsidize legal expenses for households going through an eviction or foreclosure.

Mark VanKerkhoff, the county's director of building and community services, said Aurora's Hesed House and Elgin's Community Crisis Center are among those expecting to also have funds available soon.

"The goal is to keep people in their homes," he said. "We do have a significant amount of money coming to the residents of Kane County, so we're very excited."

Lazarus House's portion already is available to residents in the Tri-Cities and surrounding areas including Lily Lake, Elburn and Kaneville. Residents to the south eventually will be served by organizations in Aurora, while Elgin agencies will assist those to the north.

Officials said the money can be used to get residents into rental housing but not to pay mortgages. Recipients also receive case management services to set goals for regaining self-sufficiency before the money runs out.

"It depends on what people need, which is what's unique about it," Eakins said. "The grant allows us flexibility to meet the needs of each household."

For more information in central Kane County, contact Lazarus House at (630) 587-5872. Hesed House can be reached at (630) 897-2156, and the Community Crisis Center at (847) 697-2380.