Lake, Illinois · Loan

Waukegan Housing Rehabilitation Program

Run by City of Waukegan CDBG Office

No-interest deferred loans for income-qualified Waukegan homeowners. Emergency repairs, such as a dangerous furnace or leaking roof, are handled right away; substantial rehabilitation to code is done from a waiting list.

Open Checked Oct 28, 2026
Apply before you buy or install anything.Purchases made first don't qualify.

Amounts

How much you get

A no-interest deferred loan; the page gives no maximum. Payment is not due until the sale of the property or refinancing, and repayment after 5 years is reduced to 50% of the deferred loan.

Eligibility

Do I qualify?

You need to meet all 6 of these.

  • Your home is in Lake, Illinois.

  • Waukegan resident who lives in the home; the applicant cannot own any other properties.

  • Owner-occupied for at least 1 year.

  • Single-family housing unit; two-flats are not eligible.

  • Payments must be current on mortgage, property taxes and homeowner insurance.

    What to doBring mortgage, property tax and homeowner insurance payments up to date.

  • Must be income qualified under HUD and local CDBG guidelines. The page posts 2026 Lake County income limits (extremely low, very low and low income up to 80% of median family income) but does not say which tiers qualify.

Applying

How to apply

You apply in person. Get approved before you buy anything.

  1. Submit a Housing Rehab Pre-Screening Intake Form.

    Available on the program page and at the CDBG Department, Waukegan City Hall, 3rd floor.

  2. Wait for your name to reach the top of the waiting list.

    Emergency repairs are addressed immediately; substantial rehab follows the waiting list.

  3. Complete the full application.

    It is mailed to you once you reach the top of the list; staff review it for eligibility.

  4. Provide proof of homeownership, income, mortgage and property insurance.

Questions about applying(847) 599-2530

Your address

Next steps

Check that it covers your address. This program has to approve you before you buy anything, so start with the program, not a contractor quote.

FAQ

Questions

How much does Waukegan Housing Rehabilitation Program pay?

A no-interest deferred loan; the page gives no maximum. Payment is not due until the sale of the property or refinancing, and repayment after 5 years is reduced to 50% of the deferred loan.

Is there an income limit?

Must be income qualified under HUD and local CDBG guidelines. The page posts 2026 Lake County income limits (extremely low, very low and low income up to 80% of median family income) but does not say which tiers qualify.

Do renters qualify?

Waukegan resident who lives in the home; the applicant cannot own any other properties. Owner-occupied for at least 1 year.

Do I need approval before I buy?

Yes. Apply before you buy or install anything; purchases made first don’t qualify. Payments must be current on mortgage, property taxes and homeowner insurance. Bring mortgage, property tax and homeowner insurance payments up to date.

Is it still available?

Yes. It was open when we last checked, on October 28, 2026.

References

Sources

This page is built from these official pages, run by the program itself.

  1. City of Waukegan Housing Rehabilitation Programwaukeganil.gov · Read Oct 28, 2026 · Re-checked weekly

When one of these pages changes, we re-check this page against it.

Report a problem with this page

Nearby

More in Illinois

  • All of Illinois

    Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP)

    Up to $20,000

    Free weatherization for Illinois households at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, through local Community Action Agencies. Air sealing, insulation, heating and water heater repair or replacement, and health and safety fixes, up to $20,000 per home.

    Checked Oct 27, 2026

  • City of Naperville Electric Utility customers, Illinois

    AC Tune-Up Incentive (Naperville Electric Utility)

    $25 back

    Naperville Electric Utility residential customers who contribute to the Renewable Energy Program get a $25 bill credit for a professional air conditioner tune-up, once every three years.

    Checked Oct 27, 2026

  • Ameren Illinois customers, Illinois

    Accessibility Initiative (Ameren Illinois)

    Work done at no cost

    Ameren Illinois electric customers with a disability or accessibility barriers who meet income criteria can get a smart thermostat, smart lighting, smart power strips, a smart speaker and efficient handheld showerheads installed at no cost.

    Checked Oct 27, 2026