Frequently Asked Questions
Rental Housing Support (RHS) Program
Am I eligible as a tenant under the RHS program?
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)
Do I qualify for an NSP rental unit?
Where are the NSP units located?
Do I qualify for an NSP rental unit if I am unemployed but receive public assistance?
Is NSP like Section 8 or subsidized housing?
How are NSP rental limits determined?
Rental Housing Support Program
Am I eligible as a tenant under the RHS program?
Tenants in the program must be at or below 30% of their area's median income. For example, in Rockford, the limit for a family of two is $15,240. Tenants also cannot be receiving rental assistance from another source.
How do I apply?
Local Administering Agencies take applications at various times to ensure there are enough applicants when units become vacant. You must contact the agency in the area where you want to live to find out when they are taking applications.
Please remember that the agency covering your area will be handling applications and will be the only source for information about taking in applications. Please be aware that you must move into a participating unit to receive the assistance.
Below is a listing of the agencies who work with the program and the areas they cover.
| Agency Name | Service Area | Main Number |
|---|---|---|
| Affordable Housing Corporation of Lake County | Lake County | 847-263-7478 |
| CEDA | Suburban Cook County | 312-795-8962 |
| City of Rockford, Human Services Department | City of Rockford | 815-987-5782 |
| DuPage Housing Authority | DuPage County (excluding Aurora) | 630-690-3555 |
| Housing Authority of Henry County | Henry, Bureau, and Stark County | 309-852-2801 |
| Housing Choice Partners | Suburban Cook County | 312-386-1009 |
| Housing Authority of Joliet | Will County | 815-727-0611 |
| Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies | Henry, Mercer, Rock Island, Boone, Winnebago, Adams, Brown, Pike, Schuyler, Edwards, Gallatin, Hamilton, Saline, Wabash, Wayne, White, Bond, Clinton, Marion, Washington, Clay, Effingham, Fayette, Shelby, Moultrie, Christian, Montgomery, Franlin, Williams, Jefferson, Clark, Coles, Crawford, Cumberland, Douglas, Edgar, Jasper, Lawrence, Richland, Bureau, Carroll, LaSalle, Lee, Marshall, Ogle | 217-789-0125 |
| Kankakee County Housing Authority | Kankakee County | 815-939-7125 |
| Kendall Housing Authority (handled by DuPage Housing Authority) | Kendall, Grundy County (excluding Aurora and Joliet) | 630-690-3555 |
| Lazarus House | Kane County | 630-587-2144 |
| Madison County Community Development | Madison County | 618-692-8940 |
| McHenry County Hsg Authority | McHenry County | 815-338-7752 |
| Rock Island Housing Authority | City of Rock Island | 309-788-0825 |
| Springfield Housing Authority | City of Springfield | 217-753-5757 |
| St Clair County IGD | St Clair County | 618-277-6790 |
| Winnebago County Housing Authority | Jo Daviess and Ogle Counties | 815-963-2133 |
How much will I pay in rent?
You will pay approximately 30% of your income in rent. The program has a schedule of rents by income ranges and bedroom size. Households could pay a little more or a little less than 30% of their income.
Does this include utilities?
Some landlords will include utilities in their rent, and others will not. You will need to ask the Local Administering Agency if the unit offered to you includes utilities.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
Do I qualify for an NSP rental unit?
Please refer to the schedule of maximum annual income limits for the Neighborhood Stabilization Program to determine if you qualify.
Where are the NSP units located?
NSP has units located throughout the State of Illinois. Please refer to the subgrantee list to get specific cities and addresses of where these properties are located.
Do I qualify for an NSP rental unit if I am unemployed but receive public assistance?
Interested parties should contact NSP1 Subgrantees for specific tenant qualification criteria.
Is NSP like Section 8 or subsidized housing?
No, NSP is not subsidized housing, however, Section 8 vouchers may be used to rent NSP units. NSP was created by the HERA Act to respond to rising residential foreclosures and property abandonment. The main purpose of the NSP is to stabilize neighborhoods negatively impacted by foreclosures. NSP funds are used to acquire, renovate, and sell or rent foreclosed and vacant properties to income eligible families with a household income of 120% or less of the area median income. Rental limits are calculated based on figures provided by HUD and specific tenant or homebuyer qualification criteria can be obtained by contacting NSP1 Subgrantees directly.
How are NSP rental limits determined?
Rental limits are calculated based on figures provided by HUD. In addition, NSP renters must have an income of 120 percent or less of the area median income. Please refer to the NSP rental limits charts for specific rent limits and additional information on rent calculations for the State of Illinois NSP Program.