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Winnebago County Housing Authority
Rockford, Illinois
Last Updated
16 hours ago
About Winnebago County Housing Authority
The Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA), located in Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois, provides housing assistance to eligible low-income individuals and families. The authority manages approximately 1,272 assisted housing units. This total includes 297 Public Housing units and 975 housing choice vouchers (HCV).
WCHA currently has several housing programs open for applications. These include Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), and various Rental Housing Support Programs (including a specific Winnebago County program). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Rockford, IL MSA area is $43,300 per year. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is currently closed to new applications.
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Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program, specifically for Lafayette in Rockford, IL, offers 1-bedroom units for households where all members are 62 or younger at lease-up, include one adult (18-62) disabled household member, and are verified as homeless per City of Rockford guidelines.
Other Programs Waitlist
Rental Housing Support
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Waitlist is open for various properties with age/disability requirements. Applicants for Winnebago County units must be current residents for 90 days; only one application per household is permitted.
Rental Housing Support (Winnebago County)
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Applicants for Winnebago County units must be current residents for 90 days; only one application per household is permitted. Preferences may include local residency, elderly, employment, veteran status, survivors of violence, and current nursing home residents.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This program offers 3-bedroom units in Rockford.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications will be accepted for open waitlists. Waitlists may be closed, and will be publicized when they reopen. Preference points are given for living in certain counties, elderly status, employment status, military veterans, survivors of violence, and nursing home residents. Applicants can check their status online, in person, or by calling.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
WCHA builds or rehabs public housing, which it then manages and maintains for residents. These communities are financed through different programs and funding sources, including Section 8 Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Program, and Winnebago Homes Association – rental homes managed by WCHA. General eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, low-income status, and background checks. Applicants can apply for as many programs as they like.
Other Programs
1 programThese 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.
Boone County Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) waitlist will be opening via online lottery from May 14th, 2025 to May 20th, 2025. 600 applications will be chosen through a computerized, random lottery system.
Status History
Deadline: May 20, 2025
Deadline: May 20, 2025
Deadline: May 20, 2025
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Winnebago County Housing Authority 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 Winnebago County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Winnebago County Housing Authority currently has 6 open waiting lists (Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Winnebago County Housing Authority, 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 $43,300/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 Winnebago County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Winnebago County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Winnebago County Housing Authority manages approximately 1,272 assisted housing units (975 Section 8, 297 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Rockford. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Winnebago County Housing Authority
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Winnebago County Housing Authority 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 Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Winnebago County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Rockford. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Winnebago County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Rockford. 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.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Winnebago County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Winnebago County Housing Authority manages approximately 297 Public Housing units in Rockford. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) open
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Winnebago County Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Rockford maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Winnebago County Housing Authority 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 Rockford. This program serves approximately 975 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Winnebago County Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Winnebago County Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Winnebago County Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Winnebago County Housing Authority?
Winnebago County Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Winnebago County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Rockford, IL MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $43,300. 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 | $18,200 | $30,350 | $48,550 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $34,650 | $55,450 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $39,000 | $62,400 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $43,300 | $69,300 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $46,800 | $74,850 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $50,250 | $80,400 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $53,700 | $85,950 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $57,200 | $91,500 |
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 Winnebago County Housing Authority — including across state lines.