Lizette Carretero is the director of financial wellness at The Resurrection Project in Pilsen, a non-profit organization that assists Chicago residents with issues related to housing and immigration.
She says that her organization generally discourages immigrants from seeking help from federal entities, especially if there is a fear of their information (including undocumented status) being put into a database that can later be accessed by immigration officials conducting raids.
“If folks are looking for rental assistance, community-based organizations are probably a safe [place] to start,” Carretero said. “I think the goal is to reduce the risk and to try to demonstrate that if there is a hardship, that there is an understanding of what the application requirements are.”
Carretero recommended the Catholic Charities of Chicago, United Way, Rincón Family Services and the Spanish Coalition for Housing as organizations that can provide rental assistance and help immigrants fill out forms for rental assistance programs.
She also suggests that applicants ask the person helping them fill out their application a few questions:
- What is the funding source?
- Where is my personal data going?
- Is a Social Security number required, and will it be shared in a government report?
“It’s okay to get transparency from where you’re applying for assistance,” she added.
“… I will say, in most cases, within community-based organizations and HUD-certified counseling agencies, you’re meeting with people that look like you, and understand the sacrifices that you’ve made to take the steps you need to get to your end goal, which is to find stability.”
Rental assistance
Alternatively, if a person is at risk of becoming homeless, they may qualify for rental assistance at the city level. The City of Chicago’s Rental Assistance Program requires a few things to prove eligibility:
- State ID, Driver’s License or other form of identification
- Eviction notice
- Proof of loss of income or other qualifying circumstances
- A copy of your lease
A tenant must also reside in Chicago, be able to prove their risk of homelessness or loss of income and be economically classified as a low-income household. Their landlord must also complete the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) requirements.
Renting an apartment
For undocumented immigrants, finding an apartment through traditional methods like Zillow or Apartments.com can be difficult. Carretero recommends word of mouth, especially through coworkers.
“Ask your colleagues if they’re planning on moving out soon, and maybe you can get introduced to the landlord,” she said.
Folks can also try walking around their neighborhood in search of “for rent” signs and contact the landlord via phone. Some laundromats and corner stores might also have bulletin boards where they can find flyers for rooms for rent or other resources related to housing.
Make time to view the apartment before signing off on anything. Be aware of any fees, and utilities. Under Illinois law, a landlord cannot force tenants to pay for utilities not explicitly stated in the lease.
What documents do I need to rent an apartment?
In general, you’ll need the following to apply for an apartment:
- Rental application with your information
- Proof of income (like paystubs or verification from your employer)
- Valid ID
- Social Security number
- Previous addresses
- References
- Some landlords ask for a security deposit; typically first and last months’ rent
- You will possibly need: a credit check and background check
However, it’s very possible that a new arrival might not have all of the documents required to rent an apartment.
“In reality, our people sometimes struggle to have an actual job, but they have more side hustles, right?” Carretero said. “…they’re drivers, they’re doing food deliveries. In those cases, I think your goal is to demonstrate that you can pay.”
Carretero said they normally advise applicants to open a bank account and make sure they’re regularly making deposits to prove they’re bringing in some income for rent payments.
“But, it is a lot of that relationship component, too,” Carretero said. “It’s what we’ve seen work best with folks.”
What is credit?
Simply put, a credit score is a number that tells loan creditors (including loan providers, landlords, or insurance companies) how likely a person is to pay back their loan or credit card on time.
Can I build credit without a Social Security number?
“I think the whole goal is to build a financial profile,” Carretero said. “Generally, in order for you to qualify for anything, you need a Social Security number. But you can also build credit with your ITIN.” The Individual Taxpayer Identification Number or ITIN may be one of the most important pieces of an undocumented person’s financial profile.
There are a few ways to obtain a line of credit as an undocumented person. The first way is to apply for a credit card, which includes monthly payments. It’s easy to max out your line of credit, so make sure you can pay back the minimum (or full) amount you owe each month.
If you are currently making rental payments, you can also use a rent-reporting service to build your credit, Carretero said.
Establishing oneself in the workforce can be done with a 1099-NEC tax form, even if you’re working a job where you are being paid in cash.
Economic wellness organizations like Ladder Up can assist with acquiring the proper tax documentation to obtain a credit score.
Carretero added that it’s easier to open a bank account with an ITIN, which can also help with getting an ID. Another option is the city key ID, which is honored in banking institutions that can help with opening free checking accounts.
“There is just this aspect of building up that behavior to demonstrate that you do have the capacity to pay back,” she said. “The unfortunate part of this in this space is that you do tend to pay higher interest, higher charges.”
This is because of the risk of a person being deported.
How can I build credit?
Individuals can also look into self-reporting their rent to a service that allows renters to report their rent payments to credit bureaus.
“In some cases, for a home, a lending institution will look at alternative credits,” Carretero said. Lenders might look at rent, utility payments, and more.
“Now you’re even able to use Netflix and Spotify subscriptions to demonstrate that you have paid on time,” Carretero added.