To find a list of rental properties that IHDA has helped to finance, please click here.

Section 8 federal rental assistance: Section 8 is a Federal subsidy program offered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There are two basic types of Section 8 assistance: project-based and tenant-based.

Project-based Section 8: In project-based Section 8, the assistance is tied to the physical apartment unit. For as long as a person resides in a Section 8 unit, he or she will pay no more than 30% of his/her adjusted gross income toward rent. The remainder (the difference between what the tenant pays and the actual rent amount) is paid by the Federal government. When a family moves out of a project-based Section 8 unit, the rental subsidy does not move with them, but is available for the next tenants of that unit. Section 8 developments are privately-owned, and keep their own waiting lists. (To find a listing of privately owned developments that IHDA has financed, please click here.

For several years the Federal government has not earmarked funds for new project-based Section 8 units. In response, IHDA continues to work with local housing authorities to convert tenant-based voucher into project-based units.

Tenant-based Section 8 - the Housing Choice Voucher: In this scenario, the assistance is tied to a particular person, and not to the apartment unit. Housing Choice Vouchers are "portable" or "transferable", meaning once a person is issued a voucher, he or she can potentially use that Voucher anywhere in the country. A Housing Choice Voucher means a household will pay 30% of their income toward rent, and the remainder (the difference between what the tenant pays and the actual rent amount) is paid by the Federal government. When a person is issued a Voucher, he or she must find an apartment in the private rental market that meets housing quality standards and with rents below a certain threshold that varies by region. The landlord must be willing to accept the Voucher, which are administered by local public housing authorities.

Please click to our statewide resources page to find the public housing authority and Section 8 properties in the area where you wish to live. Many local housing authorities have restrictions on their vouchers, including waiting list preferences for local residents and residency requirements.

For further assistance in the City of Chicago, there are other affordable housing providers that may meet your needs such as the Chicago Department of Housing (DOH), which is the City's lead agency in providing financial assistance for affordable housing opportunities. The DOH partners with dozens of community organizations to assist city residents. To receive additional information regarding affordable housing that meets your needs, please contact 311 and ask to be connected to the Department of Housing.

Below is contact information of other agencies that provide affordable housing programs and services.

U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Midwest Regional Office 77 W Jackson Blvd. Chicago, IL. 60604 (312) 353-6236 (Multi-Family Housing Division) (312) 353-1915 (Housing Status, Section 8)

Housing Choice Partners 407 S. Dearborn, Suite 1735 Chicago, IL 60605 (312) 663-9247

Housing Authority of Cook County (312) 663-5447