ARO eligibility at a glance
ARO (the Affordable Requirements Ordinance) sets aside affordable units inside new Chicago developments. Qualifying is mostly about meeting the income limits and having your paperwork ready. Availability, waitlists, lotteries, and application procedures vary by property. For details on the program itself, read our complete Chicago ARO program guide.
- Household income at or below the AMI limit for the unit's tier and your household size (City of Chicago 2026 limits)
- Photo ID for adult household members, as requested by the property
- Documentation of all household income sources (employment, self-employment, benefits, or other income)
- Rental history, if the property requests it (requirements vary)
- The property's own credit and background screening, which varies by building
The 6-step ARO qualification process
Step 1: Confirm your AMI tier
Calculate your household's gross annual income and compare it to the 2026 limit for your household size at the tier the unit is offered at (for example 60% AMI).
Step 2: Gather your documents
Properties commonly ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, photo ID, bank statements, and rental history. Each property confirms its own list and how recent documents must be.
Step 3: Find a building accepting applications
Use the City-listed ARO property directory and call buildings to ask whether they are accepting applications, keeping an interest list, or running a lottery.
Step 4: Submit your application directly to the building
Unlike Section 8 or CHA public housing, you apply to each ARO building individually. There is no central City waitlist.
Step 5: Complete income verification
The property verifies your income under the City's ARO income-qualification process. Timing depends on the property and how quickly third parties respond — ask the leasing office what to expect.
Step 6: Sign your lease
If you are approved and a unit is available, you sign the property's lease at the restricted rent for that unit. Ask about lease length and renewal terms before signing.
Frequently asked qualification questions
What credit score do I need for an ARO apartment?
There is no single City-wide ARO credit score. Each property sets its own credit and background screening criteria. Ask the leasing office for its written screening criteria before paying an application fee.
Can students qualify for ARO housing?
It depends on the property's program. ARO itself does not publish a City-wide student rule, but some ARO buildings also use federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). LIHTC units follow the IRS student rule, which generally bars households made up entirely of full-time students unless an exception applies. Ask the property which rules govern its units — see our student housing guide for details.
Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to qualify for ARO?
The City's ARO program does not list U.S. citizenship as an income-eligibility requirement, but individual properties may have additional requirements, and units that also receive federal HUD assistance follow HUD's citizenship and eligible-immigration-status rules. Confirm with the property and the City's ARO staff before applying.
What happens if my income goes up after I move in?
Rules depend on the program governing the unit. Income recertification and over-income rules differ between City ARO units, LIHTC units (which follow federal IRS rules such as the 140% next-available-unit rule), and HUD-assisted units. Ask the leasing office which rules apply to your unit before you sign.
Ready to apply? Confirm your tier with our Chicago income limits guide, gather what you need from the required document checklist, then browse current ARO listings.
Disclaimer: Not affiliated with the City of Chicago. Eligibility tools and timelines are estimates; each building sets its own screening rules.