Housing Authority of Marion County

Centralia, Illinois

Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Housing Authority of Marion County

The Housing Authority of Marion County (PHA Code: IL057) serves residents in Centralia, Marion County, Illinois. This authority oversees approximately 727 assisted housing units, comprising 282 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 445 Public Housing units.

Currently, the Housing Authority of Marion County is accepting applications for its Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Public Housing programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is presently closed to new applicants. For a family of four in the Marion County, IL area, the Very Low Income limit is $43,300 per year. Prospective applicants should confirm current income limits based on their specific family size and the requirements of each program.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The PBV waitlist is currently open; most housing authorities prioritize veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Phone

Additional Notes

The waiting list is accepting applications for families and senior/disabled individuals; applicants must meet income limits and have a responsible tenant history.

Other Programs

1 program

These 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled, and the Marion County Housing Authority maintains a waiting list in accordance with previously established priorities.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

HCV Opening Soon Mar 9, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 9, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 7, 2026

Official Application

Contact Housing Authority of Marion County directly at (618) 532-1894 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Contact the housing authority directly for application information.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 719 Howard St
City Centralia, IL 62801
PHA Code IL057
Section 8 Units 282
Public Housing Units 445

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • 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 of Marion County

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of Marion County currently has 2 open waiting lists (PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of Marion 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 $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.

3

Submit Your Application

Contact Housing Authority of Marion County directly at (618) 532-1894 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of Marion County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of Marion County manages approximately 727 assisted housing units (282 Section 8, 445 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Centralia. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of Marion County

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of Marion County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Centralia. 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 Housing Authority of Marion County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of Marion County manages approximately 445 Public Housing units in Centralia. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of Marion 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 Centralia. This program serves approximately 282 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 Housing Authority of Marion County free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of Marion County administers 3 programs (PBV, Public Housing, HCV) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority or in person at their office at 719 Howard St, Centralia, IL.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of Marion County?
Wait times at Housing Authority of Marion County depend on demand in Centralia, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 727 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 9, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "open" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of Marion County directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Housing Authority of Marion County, including Housing Authority of Jefferson County (18 mi), Housing Authority of Mt. Vernon (19 mi), Housing Authority of the County of Bond (29 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Illinois and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Illinois.
How do I contact Housing Authority of Marion County?
You can reach Housing Authority of Marion County by phone at (618) 532-1894. Their office is located at 719 Howard St, Centralia, IL 62801. You can also email them at ktinsley@mchahomes.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of Marion County?
Income limits for Housing Authority of Marion County are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Marion County, IL (currently $84,100). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $43,300. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Housing Authority of Marion County Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of Marion County are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Marion County, IL. 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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $84,100 Effective April 1, 2025
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.