Rockford Council approves $25,000 in rental assistance funding for condemned housing

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — The City of Rockford and Rockford Township approved additional funding for the Condemnation Project, one that has been around for 30 years.

The project aims to support those who need relocation assistance after a fire or natural disaster ruins their current living situation.

Over 30 years, the project has supported individuals and families with a security deposit and/or the first month’s rent in the new location.

Recently, the Township added $10,000 to the existing $15,000 set aside for these funds, bringing the total to $25,000. Rockford City Council approved the new amount Monday night.

Owen Carter is the Director of the Health and Human Services Department for the city. Carter said the funding has been successful in the past, with 97% of relocators still in the new location today.

“This is to help those who lose everything to no fault of their own,” Carter said. “To pay that security deposit and/or the first month’s rent, to take that off of them, that is huge for any family. The last thing they need to do is worry about all of that on top of it.”

Carter said the reason for additional funding is due to the increase in rent costs and the influx of structure fire incidents.

“Look at rental costs today,” Carter said. “Rental costs are 10, 20, 30 times what they used to be. We need those increased funds in order to help more families relocate.”

Arson Investigator for the Rockford Fire Department Mike Schnaper said he has noticed the increase in fire calls.

“So far this year, we’ve had 73 structure fires to the date,” Schnaper said. “I’ve seen people feel very lost when something like this happens. It’s very shocking. It’s very traumatic. When you can give them a little piece of that back, it makes a world of difference.”

Carter said he hopes the funding increases will allow the program to assist more families than it has in years past.

“Although they may not be your friend or your family, rest assured, they are somebody’s,” Carter said. “To be able to say that we can assist them and take away a little bit of that fear, that apprehension, it’s worth every penny.”

The funding goes through March of 2026.