Where to Apply for Section 8 in Illinois

You apply to the public housing authority (PHA) that serves your county or city, not to the state or federal government. Illinois has dozens of PHAs — Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) handles Chicago; smaller cities and counties each run their own. The PHA you contact depends on where you want to live, not where you live now.

To find your local PHA, search "public housing authority" plus your city or county name, or call 211 Illinois and ask for the PHA serving that area. The PHA's website will list whether they are currently taking new applications. Many PHAs close their waiting lists when they reach capacity and reopen them months or years later. Calling first saves you time if the list is closed.

Some PHAs accept applications only in person at their office; others accept mail or online submission. Check the specific PHA's website for their current method and hours. If you cannot reach them by phone or online, visit in person during business hours — staff can tell you the status of the waiting list and what you need to bring.

Key Takeaways

  • You apply to your local public housing authority, which varies by city or county, and many have closed waiting lists that reopen periodically.
  • Required documents include proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters), a photo ID, Social Security numbers for all household members, and proof of residency.
  • The waiting list can be years long in major cities like Chicago, and your position depends on the date and time you submit your application.
  • Once you are on the waiting list, the PHA will contact you when your number comes up; you then have a limited time to complete the full interview and provide additional paperwork.
  • Income limits vary by PHA and household size, and you must report changes in income or household composition to stay on the list.

Documents You Need Before You Apply

Bring or submit originals or certified copies of the following. The PHA will not process an incomplete application, and missing documents will delay you.

Proof of income for the past 30 days: Recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title and hourly rate or salary, or a benefit letter from Social Security, unemployment, TANF, or SNAP. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years and a profit-and-loss statement. If you have no income, bring a letter from the source stating that (for example, a letter from the unemployment office saying you are no longer receiving benefits).

Photo identification: A driver's license, state ID, passport, or other government-issued ID for the person applying. If you do not have one, ask the PHA what they will accept instead — some take a combination of documents like a birth certificate plus a utility bill.

Social Security numbers: For every person who will live in the unit, including children. Bring Social Security cards or a letter from Social Security if you do not have the card. If a household member does not have a number, the PHA will tell you how to proceed.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement showing your current address and dated within the past 60 days. A piece of mail from a government agency also works. If you are homeless, the PHA has an alternative process — ask about it when you call.

Income Limits and Household Size

The PHA sets income limits based on household size and the area's median income. These limits change yearly. In 2024, limits for Chicago Housing Authority ranged from roughly $28,000 for a single person to $50,000 for a family of eight, but these figures vary by PHA and change annually. Contact your local PHA to learn the current limits for your household size.

Your household size includes everyone who will live in the unit: you, your spouse or partner, children, and any other relatives or dependents. It does not include people who visit or stay temporarily. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the threshold to apply. If you are below the limit, you can proceed.

Income counts wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment, child support, alimony, rental income, and most other regular money coming in. Some income does not count — for example, food stamps and certain education grants. Ask the PHA if you are unsure whether a specific income source counts.

The Waiting List and Timeline

Once your application is accepted, you go on a waiting list in the order applications were received (date and time stamped). You do not move up the list based on need or urgency. In Chicago, the waiting list has over 50,000 households; in smaller cities, it may be hundreds. Wait times range from one to ten years depending on the PHA and how many vouchers they have to distribute.

The PHA will contact you by phone or mail when your number comes up. You will have a set number of days — usually 10 to 30 — to respond and schedule an in-person interview. If you do not respond by the deadline, you lose your place and must reapply. Keep your contact information current with the PHA; if you move, call and update your address and phone number.

At the interview, a PHA staff member will verify your income, household composition, and other details from your application. They will ask questions about your background and may run a background check. Bring the same documents you submitted plus any updates (new pay stubs, proof of a job change, birth certificate for a new child). The interview usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Background Check and Approval

The PHA will check your criminal history, eviction history, and rental payment history. They are looking for patterns of serious criminal activity, repeated evictions, or a history of not paying rent. A single eviction or old criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the PHA has discretion to deny based on what they find.

If you have an eviction case pending or a recent eviction, tell the PHA upfront. Some PHAs will still work with you if the eviction was due to circumstances beyond your control (job loss, medical emergency) or if you have since paid what you owe. Hiding an eviction and having the PHA discover it later is more likely to result in denial.

After the interview, the PHA will notify you of approval or denial in writing, usually within two to four weeks. If approved, you will receive a voucher (a document that shows landlords you can pay rent through the program). If denied, the letter will explain the reason and your right to request a hearing to challenge the decision.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you have a voucher, you have a set time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental unit that meets program standards and whose rent is within the PHA's payment limit for your area. The PHA will give you a list of rent limits by bedroom size and neighborhood.

You search for an apartment on your own. When you find one, the landlord must agree to participate in the program. Not all landlords do. Once the landlord agrees, the PHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards (safe wiring, working plumbing, no lead paint, adequate heat). If it passes, the PHA signs a lease with the landlord and you move in.

You pay a portion of the rent (usually 30 percent of your income) and the PHA pays the rest directly to the landlord. If you do not find a unit within the time allowed, you can request an extension, but extensions are not automatic.

Reporting Changes and Staying on the List

While you are on the waiting list, you must report changes in income, household size, or address to the PHA. If your income increases above the limit, you may be removed from the list. If a household member moves out or a new person moves in, report it. If you move to a different address, update your contact information immediately.

Some PHAs require annual recertification — you must submit updated income documents and household information to stay active on the list. If you miss a recertification deadline, you may be removed. Check your PHA's rules about this when you apply.

If you are removed from the list for any reason and want to reapply, you will start over at the end of the new waiting list. This is why staying in contact with the PHA and meeting all deadlines matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I am homeless or do not have a permanent address?

You can still apply. Bring a letter from a shelter, social service agency, or other organization confirming you are homeless and the date you became homeless. Some PHAs have preferences for homeless applicants and may move them up the list. Ask your local PHA about their homeless preference policy when you call.

Can I apply to more than one PHA at the same time?

Yes. You can be on waiting lists for multiple PHAs if you are willing to move to different areas. Each PHA maintains its own list and timeline. If one PHA calls you first and you accept a voucher, notify the other PHAs to remove you from their lists so someone else can move up.

What if my income changes after I apply?

Report the change to the PHA in writing as soon as possible. If your income increases above the limit, you may be removed from the waiting list. If it decreases, it does not hurt your position. Keep documentation of the change (a termination letter from a job, a new job offer, a benefit letter) to show the PHA.

How long does the whole process take from application to moving in?

The waiting list alone can take one to ten years depending on your PHA. Once your number comes up and you are called for an interview, approval usually takes two to four weeks. Finding an apartment and completing the inspection adds another one to three months. Total time from application to move-in is typically years, not months.

What if I am denied?

The PHA will send you a written denial letter explaining the reason. You have the right to request a hearing to challenge the decision. The letter will include instructions on how to request a hearing and the deadline to do so. At the hearing, you can present documents and testimony to dispute the PHA's findings.