Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher

A federal rental assistance program that helps low-income families afford housing. Here's what you need to know about Chicago's program.

Last reviewed:

Waitlist Closed (as of September 23, 2026)

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) Section 8 waitlist is currently closed to new applicants. Check the CHA website for updates on when it reopens. In the meantime, consider ARO apartments which are leased building by building — browse current ARO listings in Chicago, review the 2026 Chicago income limits, or learn how to qualify for ARO housing.

What is Section 8?

Section 8, officially called the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, is a federal rental assistance program administered locally by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA).

With a voucher, you pay approximately 30% of your income toward rent, and the government pays the rest directly to your landlord—up to a "payment standard" based on fair market rent in Chicago.

The key benefit is portability: unlike public housing tied to specific buildings, tenant-based voucher assistance can move with you. Housing Choice Vouchers are protected sources of income under applicable Illinois and Chicago fair-housing laws, while a specific unit must still satisfy rent, inspection, program, and administrative requirements.

Pros & Cons of Section 8

Advantages

  • Pay only ~30% of your income toward rent
  • Use your voucher with a unit that meets rent, inspection, program, and administrative requirements
  • Voucher stays with you if you move
  • Can combine with ARO apartments
  • Covers the gap between your payment and market rent

Challenges

  • Extremely long waitlists (often 5-10+ years)
  • Waitlist is currently closed for new applicants
  • A specific unit must meet rent, inspection, program, and administrative requirements
  • Annual recertification required
  • Must find housing within 120 days of voucher issuance

Income Limits (50% AMI)

Section 8 targets very low-income households. Your income must be at or below these limits.

Household SizeMaximum Annual Income
1 person
$42,550
2 people
$48,600
3 people
$54,700
4 people
$60,750
5 people
$65,650
6 people
$70,500

Source: City of Chicago 2026 Income and Rent Limits. Effective May 1, 2026. Last verified: .

How Section 8 Works

1

Apply When Waitlist Opens

CHA periodically opens the waitlist for new applicants. When it opens, apply online or in person. Preference may be given to certain groups (elderly, disabled, homeless).

2

Wait for Your Name to Come Up

The waitlist can take years. CHA will contact you when you're near the top. Keep your contact info updated!

3

Attend Briefing & Get Your Voucher

Once selected, attend a mandatory briefing to learn program rules. You'll receive your voucher with your payment standard amount.

4

Find Housing Within 120 Days

Search for a unit and confirm the voucher process with the leasing office. The unit must meet rent and program requirements and pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection.

5

Move In & Pay Your Portion

You pay about 30% of your income; CHA pays the landlord the rest. Recertify annually to keep your voucher.

Can't Wait for Section 8?

ARO availability, waitlists, lotteries, and application procedures vary by property. Check if you qualify today.

Explore ARO ProgramVisit CHA Website

Using a voucher in Chicago: practical steps

What to ask landlords, how lease-up works, and what the numbers mean.

What to ask a prospective landlord

“Have you rented to Housing Choice Voucher holders before?”
Experienced landlords already know the inspection and paperwork steps, which usually makes lease-up smoother.
“What is the total monthly rent, and which utilities will I pay?”
The voucher looks at gross rent — rent plus tenant-paid utilities — not just the rent number.
“Is the unit ready for inspection now?”
The unit must pass a CHA inspection before assistance starts. Units needing repairs can delay move-in.
“Will you complete and return the Request for Tenancy Approval quickly?”
The RTA needs landlord information. Delays on their side use up time on your voucher.
“What is the security deposit and application fee?”
The voucher does not cover deposits or fees, so you need to budget for them.

Chicago's Human Rights Ordinance prohibits refusing a renter because they pay with a voucher. If you believe you were refused for that reason, contact the Chicago Commission on Human Relations.

Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA): the workflow

  1. 1

    Find a unit and a willing landlord

    Before your voucher's expiration date, which is printed on your voucher paperwork.

  2. 2

    Submit the RTA packet

    You and the landlord complete the RTA and return it to CHA as instructed in your briefing materials.

  3. 3

    Rent reasonableness and affordability review

    CHA checks that the rent is reasonable compared with similar units and that your share is affordable under program rules.

  4. 4

    Unit inspection

    CHA inspects the unit. If it fails, the landlord must make repairs and pass re-inspection.

  5. 5

    Contract and lease signing

    Once approved, you sign a lease with the landlord and CHA signs a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract with the landlord.

  6. 6

    Move in

    Don't move in or pay rent in full before approval unless you are prepared to cover it yourself.

  • Keep a copy of every form you submit and write down the date.
  • If your voucher is close to expiring, ask CHA in writing whether an extension is available.

CHA Housing Choice Voucher program

What payment standards do — and don't — mean

  • In general, you pay about 30% of adjusted income toward rent and utilities; CHA pays the rest up to the payment standard.
  • If the gross rent is above the payment standard, you pay the difference. When you first move into a unit, HUD rules cap your share at 40% of adjusted monthly income.
  • Ask CHA for the current payment standard for your voucher size before you start searching.
Payment standards DOPayment standards DO NOT
Set the maximum amount of assistance CHA uses to calculate its payment for a given bedroom size.Set the maximum rent a landlord can charge.
Help determine how much of the rent CHA pays and how much you pay.Guarantee a unit at that price exists or is available.
Vary by unit size (and, in some programs, by area).Replace the separate rent-reasonableness check.

HUD HCV overview

Portability: using your voucher outside Chicago

Portability lets a voucher holder move to an area served by a different housing authority.

  1. 1

    Tell CHA you want to move

    Ask about CHA's portability process and any timing rules in your lease or voucher.

  2. 2

    Check the new area's rules

    The receiving housing authority applies its own payment standards and may re-screen you. Contact it before you commit.

  3. 3

    Get your paperwork transferred

    CHA sends your file to the receiving authority, which then issues your voucher there.

If you did not live in CHA's jurisdiction when you applied, a housing authority may require you to live there for the first 12 months before porting out.

HUD portability informationCHA HCV program

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