Housing Assistance
The United Way of Pekin is committed to ensuring that all members of our community have access to affordable and fair housing. This page serves as a comprehensive guide to housing assistance programs and resources that promote equitable and sustainable living conditions. Our focus is on empowering individuals and families with the support they need to secure stable and affordable housing.
We partner with various local organizations to offer a spectrum of housing services. These include assistance with finding and securing affordable housing, navigating tenant rights and responsibilities, and accessing financial support for rent or utilities. Additionally, we advocate for fair housing practices, ensuring that all community members are treated with dignity and fairness in their housing needs.
Access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental aspect of a thriving community. We encourage you to explore these resources, whether you're seeking housing assistance or interested in supporting housing equity initiatives. Together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those in need of a place to call home.
County Wide Housing Situation
No doubt you have noticed the housing availability shortage over the past few years. That may be on the sale/purchase side or leasing side. Either way, there seems to always be demand for a place to live, so many people wonder how many homes are there in the area? Here is some approximate data for you for the entire county. Of the nearly 55,000 people living in nearly 130,000 homes, here is how they are broken down in terms of owner occupied, rented, and vacant.
Tazewell County Properties
The need for assistance…
Based on the most accurate numbers from our wonderful partner agencies this is the breakdown of assistance provided for bill paying needs related to housing costs in 2023. Other would include items such as internet/cable, garbage, etc.
Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist, from May 7th Interview at REALTORS Legislative Meetings (Read article)-
"How is it that home sales can be this low when we've got so many people living in this country?" asked Yun. "High mortgage rates and lack of inventory were a shock. Over the next 10 years, probably eight of those 10 years will improve for home sales."
Rehousing Programs
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Rust Transitional Center
(Partner Program)
The Rust Transitional Center & Homeless Shelter provides a safe and welcome place for those dealing with sudden or long-term home insecurity in Tazewell County.
235 Derby St, Pekin
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PATH Program
The PATH Program provides outreach and support services for individuals in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford and Fulton counties who are homeless, at imminent risk of becoming homeless, do not have permanent housing AND have a serious mental illness. The goal is to help those served find safe housing, meet daily living needs, and access the care and services that can improve their daily lives.
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Rapid Re-Housing
Rapid re-housing is an intervention designed to help individuals and families to quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing. Rapid re-housing assistance is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services are tailored to the unique needs of the household.
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Supportive Housing: The Village
The Village is a supportive housing program for women, children & families. This includes single, parenting fathers. The goal is to take a woman or family from homeless to self-sufficiency.
During their stay in the Village, residents are offered intensive case management, a multitude of life skills from parenting, budgeting, mental health therapy and more. The Village proudly reports that 97% of residents do not return to homelessness.
Housing REpair/Maintenance
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Veteran Home Repairs
The Fuller Center assists Central Illinois veterans and/or widows with basic home repairs, spring and fall yard cleanups, furnace safety checks, nursing home visits and recognition of 11 veterans in November.
1101 Veerman, Pekin, IL 61554
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Veteran Home Repairs
Are you a veteran in need of home repairs? Habitat for Humanity of Greater Peoria Area provides repairs and non-cosmetic improvements to low-income veteran households to help alleviate health and safety issues in and around their home.
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A Brush With Kindness
A nation-wide program serving low-income homeowners who struggle to maintain the exterior of their homes. This initiative is a holistic approach, assisting communities as well as individual families. It is designed to revitalize the appearance of a neighborhood, encourage connections within the community, and most importantly, help preserve affordable housing.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Peoria Area partners with Thrivent Financials to complete projects throughout the year that focus on exterior home repair services such as exterior painting, minor exterior repairs, gutter cleaning and landscape cleanup.
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Home Repairs: Low Income/Disabled
Minor repair jobs for low income seniors, individuals with disabilities or single parent head of households. Minor repairs consist of items such as, basic electrical and plumbing, drywall repairs, yard cleanup, etc.
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Wheelchair Ramps
Depending on funding, His Helping Hands builds a select number of ramps each year for low income individuals to help them gain back their independence!
Financial & Legal Resources
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Mortgage or Rental Payment Assistance
(Partner Program)
For assistance with paying mortgage, rent, water utilities, sewage/wastewater bills. Determined on a case by case basis, as funding is available. Certain documents are required.
243 Derby, Pekin, IL 61554
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Foreclosure/Evictions
If you are being faced with a pending eviction or foreclosure and not sure what to do contact Prairie State Legal Services to discuss your situation and see if they can be of assistance to your case.
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Fair Housing
Our Fair Housing Project investigates and challenges cases of discrimination by housing providers. The Project helps clients resolve fair housing disputes and conducts community legal education on fair housing rights and responsibilities.