Chicago Emergency Heating Repair Program 2026–27: Free Furnace Repair for Homeowners
Updated: 4 hours ago
Chicago's Emergency Heating Repair Program fixes or replaces furnaces and boilers for eligible owner-occupants at no cost. Here is when the 2026–27 window opens, who qualifies, and what to gather now.
AT A GLANCE
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A Chicago winter without heat is dangerous, and a replacement furnace or boiler costs more than many homeowners can pay on short notice. The City of Chicago's Department of Housing (DOH) runs the Emergency Heating Repair Program (EHRP) for this situation. Qualified contractors repair or replace heating systems for eligible owner-occupants at no cost to the homeowner.
EHRP is seasonal and has strict rules about ownership, income, and utilities. This guide explains when you can apply for the 2026–27 season, who qualifies, what to gather now, the 2026 income limits, and what to do if you are turned down or miss the window. All of it comes from DOH's program page and its Area Median Income chart.
Key dates for the 2026–27 season
DOH's program page says EHRP is currently closed and not accepting applications. According to DOH:
Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
Applications reopen | November 2, 2026 |
Last day to submit | April 1, 2027 |
If you are reading this before November 2, use the time to collect documents (see the checklist below) so you can apply as soon as the window opens. If your heat fails before then, see the section on what to do while EHRP is closed.
What EHRP Covers
DOH describes EHRP as direct help for owner-occupants of 1-to-4-unit properties who need emergency heating system replacement or repairs during the winter season. Key points from the program page:
Work is done by qualified contractors.
The work is at no cost to the homeowner.
Hot water tanks are not eligible. A broken water heater is not covered by EHRP, even in winter.
Your gas and electric service must be both current and working. If you are behind, deal with the utility account first.
Because the program covers buildings with up to four units, an owner who lives in a two-flat or a small multi-unit building can apply, as long as they live there.
Who Qualifies
DOH lists these eligibility rules:
The property must be in Chicago, habitable, owner-occupied, and not in foreclosure.
The applicant must have been on the property deed for at least one year.
Household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
All adults (18+) in the home must report their gross income.
Utilities must be current and operational.
Two of these rules catch many people:
The one-year deed rule. If you inherited the home or recently added your name to the deed, check the recording date. Less than a year on the deed means you do not meet this rule yet.
The utilities rule. Your gas and electric service must be both current and working. If you are behind, deal with the utility account first. Our related guide on ComEd and Peoples Gas bill help covers discount and payment programs.
2026 Income Limits at 80% AMI
DOH's AMI chart lists 2026 limits effective May 1, 2026, for the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet HUD Metro FMR Area. DOH notes these are total household income, including the income of all adults. At the 80% level that EHRP uses:
Household size | 80% AMI limit (2026) |
|---|---|
1 | $68,050 |
2 | $77,800 |
3 | $87,500 |
4 | $97,200 |
5 | $105,000 |
6 | $112,800 |
7 | $120,550 |
8 | $128,350 |
For larger households, DOH's AMI page links to a complete chart. Use gross income, meaning before taxes, for every adult, including adult children and other relatives who live with you.
How to Apply
DOH's program page is the official starting point. Check it on or after November 2, 2026, when DOH says applications reopen. For questions, the page lists two DOH staff contacts:
Jasmine Holloway: (312) 744-5409
Judith Pernell: (312) 744-0102
DOH's general office is at City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St., Room 1000, Chicago, IL 60602, phone 312-744-3653, open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also email DOH@cityofchicago.org. The program page links to a printable flyer in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, French, Polish, and Tagalog, plus a FAQ document.
Before you call
DOH's page states the eligibility rules but not a full document list, so confirm with DOH. Based on the rules above, expect to show:
☐ Proof of ownership and the date you went on the deed, at least one year ago
☐ Proof you live there, such as an ID or mail at the property address
☐ Gross income for every adult 18 or older: pay stubs, Social Security or pension letters, unemployment statements, or self-employment records
☐ Current gas and electric bills showing the accounts are current and service is on
☐ Proof that the property is not in foreclosure, if asked
☐ Any notice from a technician or the gas company about your heating system, plus photos
What to Do While EHRP Is Closed
If your heat fails before November 2, 2026, or after April 1, 2027, EHRP cannot help during that period. DOH's page points homeowners to its Homeowner Resource Guide for other resources that might help. Practical steps:
Call DOH at 312-744-3653 and ask which resources in the Homeowner Resource Guide fit a heating emergency.
Keep records of the problem, including technician visits, estimates, and any gas company notice, so you are ready to apply when the window opens.
If the outage puts someone at risk, especially a child, an older adult, or someone with a health condition, find a warm place to stay first. Repairs come second.
If You Are Denied
DOH's page does not describe a formal appeal process for EHRP. If you are turned down, ask DOH staff exactly which rule you did not meet, then work through the likely causes:
Income above 80% AMI: check that you used gross income for the correct household size. Including someone who doesn't live there, or leaving out someone who does, changes the limit.
Deed under one year: ask when you will reach the one-year mark and whether you can apply then, within the season.
Utilities not current or not working: bring the account current or into a payment arrangement, then ask DOH whether you can reapply before April 1, 2027.
Property issues: if the home was found not habitable or in foreclosure, ask DOH which other programs apply. A foreclosure filing needs its own urgent attention.
Water heater only: EHRP excludes hot water tanks, so you will need a different resource.
Keep a written log of every call: the date, who you spoke with, and what they said. If something is missing from your file, the log helps you fix it quickly.
Common Mistakes
Waiting until the furnace fails to start gathering documents, when the season's window is limited
Leaving out an adult household member's income
Applying while a gas or electric account is behind
Assuming a water heater replacement is covered
Applying for a property where you don't live
WHAT TO DO THIS WEEK
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More help in Chicago
See our Chicago financial help guides for utility, rent, property tax, and benefits help in one place.
Related guides
Official sources
Dates and rules can change. Before you apply, confirm the current details with the Department of Housing at 312-744-3653.
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