New Web site creates Illinois ‘hub for housing'

CHICAGO - A new free bilingual Web site (ILHousingsearch.org) featuring statewide property listings is available now to help Illinois residents find their next rental home. ILHousingsearch.org was created by the administration of Governor Pat Quinn to allow users to search through a range of features to find a home that fit their needs.

"In this economy, it's more important than ever to help Illinois residents locate housing quickly. Families will now have a variety of housing options at their fingertips," said Gloria L. Materre, IHDA Executive Director.

Housing can be searched by rent range, accessibility features, location, number of bedrooms, screening criteria, acceptance of vouchers, school district, allowance of pets, deposits and fees, and proximity to public transit.

ILHousingsearch.org also provides useful tools for prospective tenants, such as an affordability calculator, moving cost estimates and a rental checklist. The site is maintained by Socialserve.com, a national nonprofit currently building and managing housing locator services in 27 states.

Property owners and managers are already taking advantage of the free service to find new tenants to occupy the thousands of apartments currently listed. The same service is also available through a toll-free, bilingual call center (1-877-428-8844).

Four state agencies partnered to create the Web site, including the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) and Illinois Department on Aging. The state agencies joined in an effort to simplify housing searches for Illinois families, especially persons living on a tight budget and those with special needs. 

"This housing locator will be a tremendous asset for Illinois residents. The Illinois Department of Human Services is happy to be a partner in this collaboration to help residents on the path to self-sufficiency locate housing that's right for their individual needs," said Illinois Department of Human Services Secretary Michelle R.B. Saddler.

ILHousingsearch.org is a free service sponsored by the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Illinois Department of Human Services and Illinois Department on Aging. The Web site is maintained by Socialserve.com, a national nonprofit that manages housing locator services.