Residents in Jasper County and eight surrounding counties have access to a variety of free housing counseling services and home assistance programs through the Embarras River Basin Agency (ERBA).
The agency provides free housing counseling and helps connect eligible households with resources for home repairs, energy efficiency improvements, homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and financial counseling. Program eligibility, funding, and availability vary depending on the specific service.
Among the assistance available are USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying homeowners age 62 and older, USDA Section 504 low-interest repair loans, USDA Section 533 Home Repair Grants, EarthRise Energy Grants for residents of Coles and Cumberland counties, and Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs home repair grants.
ERBA also offers energy efficiency assistance through Ameren Home Efficiency Grants and Loans, which may help eligible households improve insulation, air sealing, and furnace systems.
Additional regional rehabilitation programs include the Coles County Regional Planning Home Rehabilitation and Accessibility Program (HRAP), which provides up to $45,000 for qualifying home repairs and accessibility improvements, along with a roof-only option offering up to $21,500 in assistance. Availability varies by county.
For individuals interested in purchasing a home, ERBA provides HUD-approved online homebuyer education courses through eHome America and Framework, required one-on-one counseling, resources for down payment assistance, and loan application assistance for USDA 502, FHA, and conventional mortgage programs.
The agency also assists homeowners facing financial challenges through foreclosure prevention counseling, mortgage and past-due property tax assistance programs, post-purchase counseling, and budget and credit counseling.
ERBA serves residents in Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Lawrence, and Richland counties.
For more information, residents may contact Housing Counseling Coordinator Sandy Deters at 217-331-7031 or SandyD@erbainc.org. HUD Certified Housing Counselors Marilda Eadie and Angie Carlen are also available to assist with homebuyer education and counseling services.
