Chicago Opens Applications for Heating Repair Aid

The Chicago Department of Housing (DOH) will begin accepting applications for its Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) on November 1, as the city prepares for colder months. The program offers free furnace or boiler repairs and replacements to eligible homeowners, with all work completed by qualified contractors and fully funded by DOH.

Spaces in the program are limited, and applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.

DOH Commissioner Lissette Castañeda emphasized the importance of the initiative in helping residents maintain safe, livable homes:

DOH is committed to supporting homeowners’ ability to maintain a safe and healthy home. Programs like EHRP are vital to helping all residents have the option to age in place, especially in months when they face greater risks,” Castañeda said.

To qualify, applicants must own and occupy their property and meet income requirements. Households earning 80% or less of the area median income (AMI) are eligible to apply, with all sources of gross revenue from owners and household members considered in the evaluation.

Homeowners can apply online or, if they lack internet access, call 311 to request a paper application by mail. Completed forms should be returned to the Chicago Department of Housing.

In 2024, the EHRP provided heating system repairs or replacements for 157 Chicago homes, ensuring residents could safely remain in their homes during the winter.

The city’s renewed effort aims to expand this support in 2025, helping more homeowners stay warm, secure, and safe throughout Chicago’s coldest months.