ByHow to Get Low-Income Housing In Chicago Without the Wait
options for low-income families. The city has a number of programs, including Section 8, to help find homes for those who need them. Most of the funding for these programs comes from the federal government through Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This agency funds and oversees these programs. The administration and local management of them is done through local housing authorities.
The average median income (AMI) in Chicago for one person is around $65,000. The AMI for a family of 4 is around $93,000. The average monthly rent in Chicago is around $2000. The cost goes up depending on how many bedrooms are needed. There are many families in Chicago whose income is far below 100% AMI. Public housing programs provide assistance to low-income (80% AMI), very low income (50% AMI), and extremely low income (30% AMI) families.
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) operates around 20 000 units of public housing available for low-income families, seniors, and the disabled. The demand is still high despite the availability of these units. Waiting lists vary for these units. Several properties list a waiting time of 25 years, particularly those units above 1 or 2 bedrooms.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP), formerly known as the Section 8 Program, provides an opportunity for qualified low-income families to find housing from private landlords. The waiting list for these vouchers closes periodically. They do not issue vouchers when funding for them is not available.
There are also thousands of privately owned multifamily units available under the Project-Based Voucher (PBV). These units are contracted with the city to be part of Section 8, Housing Choice Program. They are also under the same funding limitations. Waiting lists vary and are limited by the availability of funds.
DoNotPay cut through the challenges of finding Section 8 housing for eligible families.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Chicago on Your Own
Those seeking to apply for Section 8 housing can fill out an online application. CHA does not offer additional means of applying for their programs. There are no restrictions on who can apply, but the following are required in order to use the online portal and get an application started:
- Social Security Number or Alien Registration Number
- Date of Birth
- Email address
Anyone interested in public housing or other programs can initiate the application. Eligibility is determined later.
Several factors determine whether or not you are eligible for Section 8 housing:
| Income Eligibility | You are making at or below the posted poverty line in your state. You are considered at the lowest income level if your family brings in only 30 percent or less of the average income in your area. You are still considered very low income if you only bring in 50 percent of that income and low income for 80 percent. |
| Age Eligibility | If you are above a certain age and still not bringing in enough income, you may qualify for Section 8 housing. Depending on a fixed income, those who are 65 and older could find themselves meeting these requirements. |
| Disability Eligibility | If you have been deemed disabled and unable to work, you are eligible for assistance, even as the head of household. |
Questions or difficulties with the process can be referred directly to the Chicago Housing Authority, 312-913-7400.
How to Apply for Section 8 Housing in Chicago With DoNotPay
If you want to apply for but don't know where to start, DoNotPay has two easy steps to get you started:
- Answer a few questions about your income, family size, veteran/disability status, which county you hope to live in, etc.
- DoNotPay will find the PHA in charge of that county and contact them with all of your eligibility information to determine if you can start applying. They'll get back to you directly via email with the next steps.
It's easy to get into the housing system with DoNotPay.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Section 8 Housing in Chicago?
There are some basic eligibility requirements for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
- Meet the definition of a family (HUD and CHA)
- Income at or below 80% AMI
- Citizenship or eligible immigration status
- Provide Social Security Numbers for all residents
- Consent to verification of eligibility by CHA
- Background review for suitability by CHA including a criminal background check
If you meet these eligibility requirements, then you can apply through CHA when the waiting list is open, or you can go through DoNotPay to get started. DoNotPay is the recommended way to get there fast and to make sure you have all the documents you need to qualify.
Why Use DoNotPay to Find Section 8 Housing in Chicago
There are great benefits to using DoNotPay beyond looking for low-income housing. DoNotPay helps with lots of things, and that's
- Fast—You don't have to spend many hours trying to find a solution.
- Easy—You don't have to struggle to fill out tedious forms or keep track of all the steps involved in solving your problem.
- Successful—You will know we will put the best case together for you.
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