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How does Section 8 housing work?
How does Section 8 housing work?
The apartments on this list are subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Each apartment's rent is 30% of the household's gross income.
For example, if your household's gross monthly income is $1500 per month, your rent will be roughly $500 per month.
The demand for these apartments is bigger than the supply, so most buildings work off of a waiting list. There are usually no apartments available for immediate move-in.
In order to qualify you must meet certain income requirements. More details are in the spreadsheet.
Tips for getting housing:
Answer all questions on the application. Do not leave anything blank. If something does not apply write "N/A". If you have any questions on the application, call the office.
Keep track of where you have applied to. There is a tab on this spreadsheet called "Personal Tracker" You can print it out or copy and paste it to your own Google Sheet. It is important to remember where you've applied to so you can check in with them regularly to get updates about your status on the waiting list.
Call the building after you apply to make sure you were added to the waiting list. Sometimes applications get lost. Make sure your application gets processed and you are added to the waiting list. Use the "Personal Tracker" tab to take notes.
Keep your information up to date. When you get to the top of the waiting list, they will call the number on your application and/or send you a letter. If you do not respond, you will not get the apartment and be removed from the waiting list. If you do not have a reliable phone number or mailing address, you can usually put a friend or family member. If your phone number/address changes, make sure you let the building know.
Be on the look out for waiting list update letters and check in with the building to ensure you're still on the waiting list. Some buildings will send out letters to people on the waiting list to make sure they are still on the waiting list and are still interested. If you do not respond to the letter they will take you off the waiting list.
While you wait, make sure you have all of your personal documents ready. When you are selected off of the waiting list, they will ask you to come in for an appointment and ask for an ID, birth certificate, social security card, and proof of income (if applicable) for all members of the household. Make sure you have all of these documents ready so that you can move in ASAP.
Start saving up to pay for a security deposit and first month's rent. Once you are approved and given a move in date, they will likely ask for the first month's rent and security deposit. You may not be allowed to move in without paying. Calculate what 30% of your gross monthly income is and save for the first month's rent and security deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are a lot of buildings. How do I chose which one to apply for? It's easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of options! There is no bad place to start. The more places you apply to, the quicker you may find housing. You can start by chosing properties in a neighborhood you want to live in.
What is the difference between this and Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)? The buildings listed here are managed by private companies, not the Chicago Housing Authority. They each have a waiting list that is separate than CHA's waiting list. However, the rent is 30% of your income, like CHA.
How long does it take to find housing? The honest answer is nobody knows for sure. There can be 20 people ahead of you on the list, but they may not pick up the phone when they are called for an apartment or they have already found housing. That is why it is so important to keep your phone number and address up to date! Apply to as many places as you can, be persistent, and never give up!
What if I don't have any income? You are still eligible for this housing even if you don't have any income coming in at the moment!
Is the rent the same for a one bedroom as a four bedroom? Yes it is. The rent goes by your income, not the number of bedrooms. If your income is $1500 per month, your rent will be roughly $500 per month regardless of how many bedrooms.
Do they accept people with criminal backgrounds? In Cook County, it is illegal to be denied housing for a conviction that is older than 3 years. If the conviction is less than three years old, the landlord must do an individual assessment. If you have been denied housing due to a criminal background, contact a free legal aid clinic.
I have a disability but I am not on Social Security. Do I qualify for the "Disabled or 62+ years old" housing? This varies building by building so call the building for more information on their process. You may have to get documentation from a medical provider.
I don't have a printer so I can't print the applications. Help? The Chicago Public Library gives 10 free pages of printing per day. It's not a lot, but hopefully can get you started.
Questions?
Email us at admin@chicagohousingsearch.org
We would love to hear about your experience using this resource. Please reach out with any questions, comments, or suggestions.
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