What the Housing Authority of Champaign County does
The Housing Authority of Champaign County (HACC) is a public agency that runs rental information programs and public housing in Champaign County, Illinois. It does not build or own most of the housing it helps with — instead, it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income requirements, and it manages a smaller number of public housing units that it owns directly. The agency handles both ongoing rental subsidies (like vouchers that reduce your monthly rent) and emergency information for people facing eviction or homelessness.
HACC is separate from the City of Champaign's housing department and from the University of Illinois. It answers to a board of commissioners and receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the state of Illinois, and the county. When you contact HACC, you are dealing with a government agency, not a nonprofit or private landlord.
Key Takeaways
- HACC runs a Housing Choice Voucher program that subsidizes rent at private landlords, a public housing program with units it owns, and emergency rental information for people in crisis.
- To use HACC services, you must live in Champaign County and meet income limits that vary by program and household size.
- The Housing Choice Voucher program typically has a waiting list; you can contact HACC to learn whether the list is open and how long the wait is.
- HACC's emergency rental information covers back rent and utility arrears when you are at risk of eviction, but the fund opens and closes based on available money.
- You can reach HACC by phone, mail, or in person at their office in Champaign to ask about current programs and what documents you need.
Housing Choice Vouchers and how they work
The Housing Choice Voucher program is HACC's largest program. If you receive a voucher, HACC pays a portion of your rent directly to your landlord each month, and you pay the rest. The amount HACC pays depends on your income, household size, and the rent of the unit you choose. You keep the voucher as long as your income stays below the limit and you follow program rules.
The voucher program has a waiting list in Champaign County. HACC opens and closes the list depending on how many vouchers are available. When the list is open, you can request to be added; when it is closed, you cannot. The wait time varies — it may be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. Call HACC directly to find out whether the list is currently open and what the approximate wait is.
To use a voucher, you must find a landlord willing to accept it. Not all landlords participate in the program. Once you have a voucher and a landlord agrees to rent to you, HACC inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards, then begins paying the landlord.
Public housing units managed by HACC
HACC owns and manages a number of apartment buildings and single-family homes throughout Champaign County. These are called public housing units. If you live in one, HACC is your landlord. Your rent is set based on your income — typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income — rather than market rate.
Public housing units also have a waiting list. Like the voucher program, the list opens and closes. Income limits explore, and you must live in Champaign County. The process process is similar to the voucher program: you request to be added to the list, and HACC contacts you when a unit becomes available.
Emergency rental information from HACC
HACC administers emergency rental information when funding is available. This program pays back rent you already owe to keep you from being evicted, and it may also cover utility arrears. The money goes directly to your landlord or utility company, not to you. You must be at risk of eviction or utility shutoff, and your income must be below a certain threshold.
Emergency funds are not always available. HACC receives money in rounds from the state and federal government, and when the money runs out, the program closes until new funding arrives. Before you explore, call HACC to confirm the fund is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.
To explore for emergency information, you will need proof of your income, a signed lease, and documentation of the debt (an eviction notice, a past-due notice from your landlord, or a utility shutoff notice). The process usually takes two to four weeks from process to payment.
Income limits and who can use HACC programs
All HACC programs have income limits based on the area median income (AMI) for Champaign County. The limits vary by program and by household size. For example, a family of four might have a different limit than a single person. HACC publishes these limits each year, and they change annually.
You must also live in Champaign County to use HACC services. If you are homeless or living outside the county but plan to move there, contact HACC to ask about your situation — some programs have flexibility for people in transition.
Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming in. HACC will ask you to document your income with recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the requirement for that program.
How to contact the Housing Authority of Champaign County
HACC's main office is located in Champaign. You can reach them by phone to ask about current programs, waiting list status, and what documents you need to bring. The office also accepts mail and in-person visits. When you call or visit, have your household information ready: the number of people in your household, your current income, and whether you are currently housed or homeless.
If you are facing eviction, tell HACC that when you contact them. Some programs prioritize people with active eviction cases. If you have an eviction notice, bring it with you — the court date helps HACC understand how urgent your situation is.
HACC can also refer you to other resources in Champaign County, such as legal aid for eviction defense or nonprofit organizations that help with utility bills. Do not assume a program is closed just because you heard it was full in the past — funding and availability change, so it is worth calling to check current status.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the waiting list for a Housing Choice Voucher?
The wait time varies and changes as vouchers become available. HACC is the only source for current wait times. Call them directly — they can tell you whether the list is open and give you an estimate based on how many people are ahead of you.
Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher at any apartment?
No. The landlord must agree to participate in the program, and the unit must pass HACC's housing quality inspection. Not all landlords accept vouchers. Once you have a voucher, HACC can provide a list of landlords in the area who do participate, or you can search on your own and ask the landlord whether they accept vouchers.
What happens if my income goes above the limit?
If you are in the voucher or public housing program and your income rises above the limit, you do not automatically lose your information. Most programs allow your income to go over the limit for a period of time before you are required to leave. Contact HACC to understand the rules for your specific program and what happens next.
Is emergency rental information the same as a voucher?
No. Emergency information is a one-time payment for back rent or utilities when you are in crisis. A voucher is an ongoing monthly subsidy. Emergency information does not lead to a voucher, and a voucher does not cover emergency arrears — they are separate programs with different rules.
What if I am homeless — can I still explore?
Yes. HACC has programs for people experiencing homelessness. Contact them to explain your situation. You may need to provide different documentation than someone with a current lease, and some programs prioritize homeless applicants. Ask HACC what documents they need from you.