How to Apply for Illinois Section 8

Illinois Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program offer rental assistance to low-income families and individuals so that they can afford safe and sanitary housing. U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the program at federal level whereas local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) administer the program at local level. These PHAs have a set number of vouchers that can be used to provide renal assistance to income-eligible households in Illinois. Families with elderly and people with disability will receive priority for the program.

Illinois Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is for low-income families. The program has a strict income criteria to ensure that the most vulnerable families receive the assistance first. Qualified families and individuals will be able to choose a house anywhere in the state of Illinois. The house should pass HUD’s quality standard testing before it can be approved for Housing Choice Voucher program. You can use this link (http://www.hud.gov/apps/section8/step2.cfm?state=IL%2CIllinois) to search for affordable housing under Section 8.

Once you’ve searched a house, you will sign a contract with the landlord as a tenant. You will also sign a Housing Assistance Payment Contract with PHA under which it will pay a portion of your rent, directly to the landlord. PHA will pay according to income standards. If the rent exceeds payment standard, household may have to pay additional rent.

When you have obtained the lease, you will have rights and duties as tenants. A landlord will not be able evict a voucher tenant unless there is a good cause for such eviction. On the other hand, PHA can terminate a voucher for a good cause but it must notify the household of the reasons that led to this decision. The household will have a right to pre-termination hearing.

Eligible households may apply for a Homeownership Voucher so that they can use assistance for down-payment or mortgage payment instead of paying a portion of rent.

Who can Qualify for Section 8?

Illinois Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is for low-income residents of Illinois. However, residents will need to meet the following eligibility requirements before they can receive rental assistance.

• You should be a U.S citizen or a qualified alien

• You should be a resident of state of Illinois to receive Illinois Section 8 rental assistance

• You should be a good tenant according to the guidelines set by Section 8 program.

• You should meet HUD’s income requirements to become an income-eligible household. You can find income details here (http://www.nccp.org/profiles/IL_profile_34.html).

How to Apply

To apply for Illinois Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, you will need to visit your local HUD office. You can find details of local HUD offices using this link (http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/states/il.cfm).

You can also contact your local Housing Authority to apply for Housing Choice Voucher. You will find complete details for each authority at this link (http://www.hud.gov/local/il/renting/hawebsites.cfm).