What the McHenry County Housing Authority does
The McHenry County Housing Authority (MCHA) is a public agency that administers affordable housing programs across McHenry County, Illinois, with offices in Woodstock. The agency manages the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8), public housing units, and other affordable housing initiatives. If you live in McHenry County and need affordable rental housing or want to understand what programs exist, MCHA is the local body that runs them.
MCHA does not build or own most of the housing it oversees. Instead, it issues vouchers that let you rent from private landlords at below-market rates, and it owns and operates a smaller number of public housing units directly. The agency also handles waitlists, inspections, rent calculations, and lease approvals for the programs it runs.
Key Takeaways
- The McHenry County Housing Authority manages Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing units across the county, with a main office in Woodstock.
- Most MCHA programs operate waitlists that can be years long, and you must meet income limits and other requirements to be considered.
- You can contact MCHA directly by phone or in person at their Woodstock office to ask about current program status and waitlist openings.
- If you receive a voucher, you choose your own rental unit from participating landlords, and MCHA pays a portion of the rent to the landlord.
- MCHA inspects units before you move in and annually afterward to may support they meet housing quality standards.
Housing Choice Voucher program and how it works
The Housing Choice Voucher program is the largest affordable housing program MCHA runs. If you receive a voucher, you find a rental unit on the private market (within MCHA's payment limits), and MCHA pays the landlord a portion of your rent. You pay the difference out of your own income, usually 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.
To use a voucher, the landlord must agree to participate in the program and the unit must pass a housing quality inspection. MCHA inspects the property before you move in and again every year. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs before you can occupy it or before MCHA continues paying rent.
Waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher program are typically very long in McHenry County. MCHA opens the waitlist periodically when space becomes available, but it may close again within days or weeks. You can contact MCHA to ask whether the waitlist is currently open and how long the wait is if you are added.
Public housing units managed by MCHA
MCHA owns and operates public housing units in several communities across McHenry County. These are apartments or townhomes that MCHA owns directly, and you rent them from the agency rather than from a private landlord. Like the voucher program, public housing has income limits and long waitlists.
Rent in public housing is calculated the same way as in the voucher program: you typically pay 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and MCHA covers the rest. MCHA maintains the units and is responsible for repairs and upkeep. If something breaks, you report it to MCHA maintenance rather than a private landlord.
Income limits and who can participate
Both the Housing Choice Voucher program and public housing have income limits based on family size and area median income. These limits change annually. For example, a single person might have a limit around 50 percent of area median income, while a family of four might have a higher limit. MCHA calculates your adjusted gross income, which may exclude certain earnings or benefits.
You must also meet other requirements: you need a valid Social Security number, you cannot have been evicted for non-payment in the past three years (rules vary), and you cannot have a criminal history that disqualifies you under federal guidelines. MCHA reviews each process individually, so circumstances matter.
Income limits and other rules change, so contact MCHA directly to learn what the current limits are and what documents you will need to provide. Do not assume you are ineligible based on old information.
How to contact MCHA in Woodstock
The McHenry County Housing Authority main office is located in Woodstock. You can reach them by phone to ask about program status, waitlist openings, and what documents you need. You can also visit in person during business hours to submit paperwork or ask questions.
When you contact MCHA, have your household income information, Social Security numbers for all household members, and any documentation of your current housing situation ready. Ask specifically whether waitlists are open for the program you are interested in, because this changes throughout the year.
MCHA also has a website where you can find contact information, program descriptions, and sometimes notices about waitlist openings. Check their site first to confirm current phone numbers and office hours before you call or visit.
What happens after you are added to a waitlist
Once MCHA adds you to a waitlist, you will be contacted when a unit or voucher becomes available. The wait can be months or years depending on the program and how many people are ahead of you. MCHA will contact you by phone or mail, so keep your contact information current and respond promptly when they reach out.
When MCHA calls you, you will be asked to confirm you still want the program and that your household information has not changed. If you do not respond within the timeframe MCHA gives you (usually a few days), you may lose your place on the waitlist. If your situation changes — your income rises, you move out of the county, or you no longer need housing — tell MCHA so they can update your file.
Housing quality standards and inspections
Whether you receive a voucher or live in MCHA public housing, your unit must meet federal housing quality standards. These standards cover things like working plumbing, heat, electricity, safe stairs and railings, and freedom from pests and mold. MCHA sends an inspector to check the unit before you move in.
If the unit fails inspection, the landlord (or MCHA, if it is public housing) must fix the problems before you can move in. Once you are living there, MCHA inspects annually. If problems are found, the landlord has a set time to repair them. If repairs are not made, MCHA can stop paying rent or end your lease.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the waitlist for MCHA programs?
Waitlist length varies by program and changes over time. Housing Choice Voucher waitlists in McHenry County are typically years long, while public housing waitlists vary by location. Contact MCHA directly to learn the current wait time for the specific program you are interested in.
Can I use my MCHA voucher to rent anywhere in McHenry County?
You can rent from any private landlord who agrees to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program and whose unit meets MCHA's payment limits and housing quality standards. You are not limited to specific buildings or neighborhoods, but the landlord must be willing to work with MCHA.
What if my landlord will not make repairs after MCHA finds problems in the inspection?
MCHA will give the landlord a important date to make repairs. If repairs are not completed, MCHA can withhold rent payments or terminate the lease. You should not move into a unit that fails inspection. If you are already living there and repairs are not made, contact MCHA to report the problem.
Do I have to pay rent if MCHA is paying part of it?
Yes. You pay your share of the rent (usually 30 percent of your adjusted gross income) directly to the landlord every month. MCHA pays its share separately to the landlord. If you do not pay your share, the landlord can evict you even though MCHA is paying part of the rent.
What if my income changes after I receive a voucher or move into public housing?
You must report income changes to MCHA. If your income rises above the program limit, you may lose your voucher or be required to move. If your income drops, your rent payment may decrease. Contact MCHA as soon as your income changes to update your file.