Where subsidized housing programs operate in Illinois

Illinois has three main paths to subsidized housing: Section 8 vouchers administered by local housing authorities, public housing owned and managed by those same authorities, and project-based rental information attached to specific apartment buildings. Each is run by a different housing authority depending on where you live. Cook County (which includes Chicago) has the largest program; smaller counties and cities run their own.

The housing authority that serves you depends on your address, not where you work or grew up. If you live in Chicago, you explore to the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA). If you live in suburban Cook County, you explore to the Cook County Housing Authority. If you live outside Cook County, you explore to your county's housing authority or sometimes a city-specific one. You cannot explore to multiple authorities at once, and waiting lists do not transfer between them.

Finding your local authority is the first step. The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) maintains a directory of all housing authorities in the state. You can also call 211 Illinois, which is a free referral line that will tell you which authority serves your address and whether their waiting list is open.

Key Takeaways

  • Illinois housing authorities run Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and project-based information separately, and you explore to the authority that serves your address, not the state.
  • Chicago Housing Authority is the largest program in the state, but Cook County Housing Authority serves suburbs, and dozens of smaller authorities serve other counties and cities.
  • Waiting lists vary by authority and program; some are closed, some have years-long waits, and a few accept applications regularly.
  • You can call 211 Illinois to find your local authority and learn whether they are currently taking applications.

How Section 8 vouchers work in Illinois

A Section 8 voucher in Illinois works the same way as anywhere else: the housing authority pays your landlord the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for your area. You find your own apartment, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the authority inspects the unit before issuing the voucher. The voucher is portable — if you move to a different part of Illinois or out of state, you can take it with you, though you must notify your housing authority first.

The catch is the waiting list. Chicago Housing Authority's Section 8 waiting list has been closed since 2009. Cook County Housing Authority's list is open but has a multi-year wait. Smaller authorities vary: some accept applications year-round, some open for a few weeks every few years, and some are also closed. Call your local authority directly or use 211 to find out the current status.

Illinois also runs a Mainstream Voucher program for people with disabilities, which has a separate waiting list and sometimes shorter waits than the regular Section 8 list. You must be referred by a disability services agency to explore.

Public housing in Illinois and how it differs from vouchers

Public housing means you live in a building owned by the housing authority itself. Illinois has roughly 40,000 public housing units, most of them in Chicago. The rent is the same as Section 8 — 30 percent of your income — but you do not choose your apartment. The authority assigns you to an available unit, and you move into it or decline and stay on the waiting list.

Public housing waiting lists are also long in most places, but they sometimes move faster than Section 8 lists because units turn over regularly. The trade-off is that you have no choice of location or building. Some public housing in Illinois is well-maintained; some is not. Before you accept an assignment, you can request a walkthrough to see the condition of the unit.

If you are offered public housing and decline it, you stay on the waiting list but move to the back. If you are offered it twice and decline both times, you may be removed from the list entirely, depending on the authority's policy. Ask your local authority what their policy is before you turn down an offer.

Project-based rental information and tax-credit apartments

Project-based rental information is subsidy attached to a specific building rather than to you. You explore directly to the building, not to the housing authority. The building owner receives the subsidy and passes it to you as a reduced rent. If you move out, the subsidy stays with the building and goes to the next tenant.

Illinois has hundreds of project-based buildings, many of them older apartment complexes or converted houses. Some are run by nonprofits, some by private owners. Rents are typically 30 percent of income, the same as Section 8, but the buildings do not always have waiting lists — some accept applications on a rolling basis. You can find project-based buildings through IHDA's rental information database or by calling 211.

A related program is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), which subsidizes new or renovated apartments. These buildings are not always income-restricted, but many reserve units for people earning 50 to 60 percent of the area median income. Rents are lower than market rate but not always as low as 30 percent of income. You explore directly to the building.

Income limits and rent calculations in Illinois

Income limits for subsidized housing in Illinois are based on the area median income (AMI) for your county. Cook County has one limit; other counties have different limits. For Section 8 and public housing, the limit is usually 80 percent of AMI, but you can stay in the program even if your income rises above that after you move in — you just cannot get a new voucher or be admitted to public housing.

Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with some deductions allowed for dependents, elderly status, or disability. The housing authority or building will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to verify income. If you are unemployed, they may count unemployment benefits or zero income, depending on the program.

Income limits and fair market rents change every year. IHDA publishes updated limits in the spring. If you are on a waiting list and your income has changed, you do not need to reapply — the authority will verify your income again when a unit becomes available.

how the process works and what documents you need

The process process differs slightly by housing authority, but the basic steps are the same. You contact your local authority, ask if they are taking applications, and request an process form. Some authorities accept applications in person only, some by mail, and some online. Ask which method your authority uses.

You will need to provide proof of identity (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and Social Security numbers for all household members. If you have a criminal record, you will need to disclose it; the authority will review it but will not automatically deny you. If you have an eviction history, disclose that too.

After you submit your process, the authority will verify your information and place you on the waiting list. You will receive a letter confirming your position on the list. Some authorities send updates; others do not. Call your authority every six months to confirm you are still on the list and that your contact information is current. If you move, notify the authority when ready or you may be removed from the list.

Waiting times and what to do while you wait

Waiting times in Illinois range from a few months to more than a decade, depending on the authority and program. Chicago Housing Authority's Section 8 list is closed, so there is no wait — there is no list. Cook County Housing Authority's Section 8 list has a wait of several years. Smaller authorities in downstate Illinois may have waits of a few months to a year.

While you wait, you can explore to project-based buildings, which often have shorter waits or no waiting list at all. You can also look into other programs: Illinois has emergency rental information for people behind on rent, rapid rehousing for people experiencing homelessness, and supportive housing programs for people with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Call 211 to learn what else may be available in your area.

If your housing situation becomes urgent — you are about to lose your home or are living in unsafe conditions — tell your housing authority. Some authorities have emergency or priority lists. You can also contact your local homeless services agency or a legal aid organization; they may know of faster routes or programs you have not heard of.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore to more than one housing authority at the same time?

No. You can be on only one waiting list per housing authority, and you cannot explore to multiple authorities simultaneously. However, you can explore to one authority and also explore directly to project-based buildings in your area, since those are separate applications. If you move to a different county, you can transfer your process to that county's authority, but the process varies by authority.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes above the limit?

If you are already in a subsidized housing program, your income can rise above the limit and you stay in the program — your rent will increase as your income increases, but you will not be evicted. You just cannot get a new voucher or be admitted to public housing if you are not already in the program. Once you leave, you cannot return based on income alone.

Do I have to accept the first apartment or unit I am offered?

For Section 8 vouchers, you can turn down apartments that do not meet your needs. For public housing, you can request a walkthrough before accepting, and you can decline once or twice, but declining multiple times may remove you from the list. For project-based buildings, you accept or decline the unit, and if you decline, you stay on their waiting list if they have one.

How do I know if a building accepts Section 8 vouchers?

You can search IHDA's database of participating buildings, call your housing authority and ask for a list, or call 211. You can also call buildings directly and ask. Landlords are not required to accept vouchers, so some will and some will not. If a landlord refuses because of your race, national origin, or other protected status, that is illegal; you can report it to the Illinois Department of Human Rights.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

Disclose it on your process. Housing authorities have policies about what convictions or evictions disqualify you, and those policies vary. Some will deny you outright; others will consider the age of the record and the circumstances. You have the right to request a hearing if you are denied. Legal aid organizations in Illinois can help you prepare for a hearing.