CHA offers four types of subsidized housing opportunities: Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project Based Vouchers (PBV), and Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA). Each type of housing opportunity has a waitlist. Completing an application for any open waitlist is the first step to obtaining rental assistance. Remember, even if you meet all the requirements below, you might not get housing right away.

NOTE: CHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist is closed at this time. When the list is opened, CHA will make public announcements and all households will have the opportunity to participate in a waitlist lottery. Until then, you are welcome to apply for CHA’s other housing programs.

 

 

  1. Is your income under the limit?

    To qualify, your household income needs to be below a certain amount. This amount depends on how many people are in your household. CHA has specific income limits.

  2. Do you have U.S. citizenship or an eligible immigration status? May recent or undocumented migrants apply?

    At least one person in your household must be a U.S. citizen or have a legal immigration status. You’ll need to provide documents to prove this. Additionally, applicants will need to provide paystubs or proof of employment.

  3. Do you have potentially disqualifying criminal convictions?

    CHA will check your background for criminal convictions within the past six months as well as permanent bans for certain crimes. CHA will also follow the requirements of the Cook County Just Housing Amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance for persons with criminal convictions (click here for more information).

  4. Do you have a good rent payment history?

    To qualify, you should have a record of paying rent on time. If you've had issues in the past, you may need to show that you've improved. 

  5. Do you owe money to CHA?

    If you owe money to CHA or another housing program, you will need to pay that money back before you can qualify for another CHA program.

  6. Does your household size match the available apartments?

    Your household size must fit the size of the available apartments. For example, a family of two would likely qualify for a one-bedroom apartment.

  7. What is the process to verify documentation?

    Documents will be requested and only then verified when an applicant has reached the top of the waitlist and a vacancy is reported for their household size. Note that most waitlists are years long (often estimated at 10+). Screening includes background, credit, and residential history checks. Income verification also takes place at this time.

  8. Do you qualify for waitlist preferences?

    CHA provides waitlist preferences to certain groups, such as veterans, people with disabilities, or those who are homeless.

  9. How does CHA use or share information provided by applicants?

    CHA shares data to confirm waitlist preference (i.e., homeless status), not immigration status. At the time of screening, immigration status is verified to confirm eligibility.

    Applicants are advised that it is optional to choose to share information with other government agencies via the application. It is required to allow other agencies to share information with the CHA for verification purposes, including, but not limited to, employers, Department of Public Services, the Social Security Office, Law Enforcement, and/or other agencies.

Public Housing and Project-Based Voucher waitlists are always open. Click here to submit a waitlist application.

If you need assistance, you may visit the CHA Client Center located at 60 E. Van Buren Street or call 312-742-8500. 

For assistance in other languages call 312-742-8500.