Illinois Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income Homeowners: Why It Matters and How FOHI Is Taking Action

Illinois home repair assistance for low income homeowners isn’t just helpful — it’s a lifeline. Across the state and the nation, millions of people can’t afford urgent repairs that keep their homes safe, healthy, and livable.

A recent Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies report confirms what Fix Our Homes Illinois (FOHI) sees every day: far too many homeowners are forced to choose between paying for necessary repairs and meeting other basic needs — or worse, going without the repairs entirely.


What the Harvard Study Reveals

The numbers are sobering:

  • In 2023, homeowners earning under $37,500 spent just $3,100 on home repairs and improvements. This is less than a third of the spending by the wealthiest households.
  • For these lower-income households, repairs consumed 16% of annual income, compared to under 4% for the highest earners.
  • Nearly half of low-income homeowners spent less than $500 all year on repairs — even when major fixes were needed.
  • The majority of this limited spending went toward unavoidable projects, including roof repairs, replacing broken heating systems, or fixing dangerous electrical problems.

These aren’t cosmetic upgrades — they’re repairs that keep a home safe to live in. And when they’re delayed or skipped, the costs escalate. Not only do delays often mean structural damage worsens, and health risks increase, but the homeowner’s ability to build equity also erodes.


Why This Crisis Hits Illinois Especially Hard

Illinois has an aging housing stock, high repair costs, and many communities that have faced decades of disinvestment. Without Illinois home repair assistance for low-income homeowners, families are left living with leaky roofs, unsafe wiring, mold, or broken heating systems they can’t afford to fix.

At the same time, funding for repair programs is at risk. The House’s draft FY26 appropriations bill would cut or eliminate critical resources like the HOME Investment Partnerships Program and the Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. These are programs that directly benefit Illinois households.


A Glimmer of Hope: The Whole-Home Repairs Act

There’s reason for optimism. As a matter of fact, the Whole-Home Repairs Act pilot project was recently passed in the Senate’s HUD budget. This project could help homeowners across Illinois and beyond afford vital repairs, enhance energy efficiency, and prolong the lifespan of their homes. But its survival depends on Congress protecting — and ideally expanding — funding.


How Fix Our Homes Illinois Is Leading the Charge

FOHI’s mission is to make sure safe, healthy housing is within reach for everyone. We:

  • Advocate for stronger policies to secure Illinois home repair assistance for low income homeowners.
  • Connect residents to local, state, and federal repair programs.
  • Push for equitable investment in neighborhoods that have been historically underfunded.

We know that when a home falls into disrepair, the impact goes beyond bricks and mortar — it’s about protecting families’ health, stability, and financial future.


How You Can Help


Illinois Home Repair Assistance for Low-Income Homeowners Matters!

No one should have to live in an unsafe home because they can’t afford repairs. With the right investment and advocacy, we can ensure every Illinois homeowner — no matter their income — has the resources to keep their home safe, healthy, and strong.

Simplified Summary

A safe, healthy home is something everyone needs. But for many families in Illinois, the cost of fixing a broken roof, faulty wiring, or a heating system is simply too high. A new study from Harvard shows just how big the gap is: In 2023, low-income homeowners spent about $3,100 on repairs and improvements. Wealthier homeowners spent over three times that amount. For low-income households, repair costs took up 16% of their income, compared to less than 4% for higher-income households. Almost half of low-income homeowners spent under $500 all year on repairs — often because that’s all they could afford, even if their homes needed more work. Most of this money went to urgent fixes, not upgrades or comfort improvements. Without help, families may have to live with unsafe or unhealthy conditions. Over time, this can make repairs more expensive, hurt property values, and put people’s health at risk. That’s where Fix Our Homes Illinois (FOHI) comes in. FOHI works to connect homeowners with repair programs, fight for more funding, and make sure every family can live in a safe home. The recent Whole-Home Repairs Act is a step in the right direction, but we need to protect and grow funding so more people can get the help they need. FOHI believes no one should have to choose between paying the bills and fixing their home. Together, we can make sure every Illinois homeowner has the support they need to keep their home safe and strong.

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