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Housing Authority Cook County
Chicago, Illinois
Last Updated
6 hours ago
About Housing Authority Cook County
The Housing Authority Cook County (PHA Code: IL025) is located in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. It manages approximately 14,418 assisted housing units, which include 14,142 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 276 Public Housing units.
This authority offers several programs, such as Public Housing, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Affordable Multi-Family Housing, Mainstream, Other, Other Senior, and RAD. Currently, all waiting lists are closed. However, the Public Housing and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waitlists have recently updated their status from closed to opening soon.
For eligibility, a family of four must meet the very low income limit of $59,950 annually within the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area.
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Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 13, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist for Poupard Place (Northbrook, IL) is open, and applicants are selected via a random lottery.
Other Programs
8 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
Preferences for these programs may include homelessness, age 62+ and persons with disabilities, or victims of Domestic Violence. Income limits apply to eligibility.
All waiting lists for Affordable Multi-Family Housing and Other Senior programs are currently closed. The waiting list for Huntington and Wheeling Tower (1-Bedroom for 62+) last accepted applications from July 28, 2021, to July 30, 2021.
The HACC primarily serves suburban Cook County and does not administer Housing Choice Voucher programs for the City of Chicago itself.
All waiting lists for Mainstream programs administered by the Housing Authority Cook County are currently closed.
The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) Senior Affordable Multi-Family Housing waiting list for 1-Bedroom standard and accessible apartments at Huntington and Wheeling Tower is currently closed. The HACC last accepted applications for this waiting list from July 28, 2021 until July 30, 2021. ...
All waiting lists for Other Senior housing programs administered by the Housing Authority Cook County are currently closed.
General preferences for PBV programs include current HACC HCV waitlist applicants, homeless, Veterans, disabled, or VAWA victims. Some properties may have age restrictions.
All waiting lists for RAD programs administered by the Housing Authority Cook County are currently closed.
Status History
Deadline: Apr 9, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Cook County portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority Cook County
Check Current Status
Housing Authority Cook County currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority Cook County, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $59,950/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Cook County portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority Cook County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority Cook County manages approximately 14,418 assisted housing units (14,142 Section 8, 276 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Chicago. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority Cook County
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Housing Authority Cook County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority Cook County manages approximately 276 Public Housing units in Chicago. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Affordable Multi-Family Housing closed
The Affordable Multi-Family Housing program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Affordable Multi-Family Housing / Other Senior closed
The Affordable Multi-Family Housing / Other Senior program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority Cook County provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Chicago. This program serves approximately 14,142 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority Cook County are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
Other closed
The Other program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Senior closed
The Other Senior program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority Cook County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Chicago. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority Cook County converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Chicago maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority Cook County free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority Cook County?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority Cook County?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority Cook County?
Housing Authority Cook County Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority Cook County are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $59,950. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $25,200 | $42,000 | $67,150 |
| 2 Persons | $28,800 | $48,000 | $76,750 |
| 3 Persons | $32,400 | $54,000 | $86,350 |
| 4 Persons | $35,950 | $59,950 | $95,900 |
| 5 Persons | $38,850 | $64,750 | $103,600 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $69,550 | $111,250 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,350 | $118,950 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $79,150 | $126,600 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority Cook County — including across state lines.