Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Illinois
Illinois has 106 housing authorities managing a combined 512 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 238 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 46%. This data was last verified on Jun 1, 2026.
Illinois offers a comprehensive array of affordable housing assistance programs managed by 106 housing authorities across the state. These authorities oversee a total of 413 waiting lists designed to help residents secure stable housing. Currently, 169 of these lists are open and accepting applications, representing a 41% open rate. While 194 lists are closed, new opportunities for assistance frequently arise, and the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) serves as the state's central housing agency, providing further resources.
Assistance is primarily offered through various programs, each with a specific focus. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, for example, has 106 lists, with 21 currently open. Public Housing programs are also widely available, managing 104 lists, 63 of which are open. Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs oversee 39 lists, 17 of which are open. Other options include RAD, with 19 lists and 2 open, and Mainstream, also with 19 lists and 2 open. Several lists are dedicated to specific populations, such as Senior Housing (5 lists, 1 open), Rural Development (2 lists, 2 open), and various Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties (3 lists, 1 open).
When seeking housing assistance in Illinois, strategic application can be beneficial. For instance, while the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) manages some waitlists in Chicago (3 HAs, 5 open), these lists are known for being extensive. Applicants may find faster results by considering surrounding Cook County suburbs. Other cities with multiple housing authorities include Mount Vernon (2 HAs), Rockford (2 HAs, 6 open), and Bloomington (2 HAs). Smaller areas like Barry also have open opportunities (1 HA, 1 open). The status of waitlists can change, as seen with recent activity at the Massac County Housing Authority in Metropolis, or the Housing Authority of the City of Rock Island, which recently changed a Market Rate list from open to opening_soon and a PBV list from open to closed. This dynamic environment highlights the importance of regularly checking for current openings.
Advertisement
The affordable housing programs tracked in Illinois include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (26 open), Public Housing (59 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (21 open), RAD (2 open), Mainstream (2 open), VASH (1 open). Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Illinois right now are Rock Island (33), Chicago (14), Peoria (14), East Moline (12), and Kewanee (8) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Illinois Housing Development Authority — other (closes Jun 22, 2026)
Eligibility Requirements for Illinois
To qualify for assistance in Illinois, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Illinois legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.