Randolph County Housing Authority

Chester, Illinois

Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Randolph County Housing Authority

Randolph County Housing Authority, located in Chester, Randolph County, Illinois (PHA Code: IL052), manages approximately 275 assisted housing units. These include 54 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 221 Public Housing units.

Currently, all waiting lists are closed to new applications, including both the HCV program and Public Housing program lists. Applicants should be aware that the status of these lists can change, and it is advisable to check for official updates directly from the housing authority.

For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit in the Randolph County, IL area is $47,050 per year. This income limit is provided for general reference and is subject to change.

Other Programs

2 programs

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 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list is closed in Chester, IL.

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

The Public Housing waiting list is currently closed. The authority accepts Public Housing pre-applications at the program level; declining two invitations will purge the application. Eligibility includes low-income families, seniors (62+ or 55+ in some cases), and persons with disabilities.

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

Status History

HCV Closed Feb 21, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Contact Randolph County Housing Authority directly at (618) 826-4314 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 916 George St
City Chester, IL 62233
PHA Code IL052
Section 8 Units 54
Public Housing Units 221

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 Randolph County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

All 2 waiting lists at Randolph County Housing Authority are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Randolph 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 $47,050/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 Randolph County Housing Authority directly at (618) 826-4314 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 Randolph County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Randolph County Housing Authority manages approximately 275 assisted housing units (54 Section 8, 221 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Chester. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Randolph County Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Randolph 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 Chester. This program serves approximately 54 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Randolph County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Randolph County Housing Authority manages approximately 221 Public Housing units in Chester. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Randolph County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Randolph County Housing Authority administers 2 programs (HCV, Public Housing) — 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 916 George St, Chester, IL.
How long is the wait at Randolph County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Randolph County Housing Authority depend on demand in Chester, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 275 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 21, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "unknown" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Randolph County Housing Authority 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 Randolph County Housing Authority, including Housing Authority of the City of Sainte Genevieve (14 mi), Housing Authority of the County of Jackson (29 mi), Perry County Housing Authority (32 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 Randolph County Housing Authority?
You can reach Randolph County Housing Authority by phone at (618) 826-4314. Their office is located at 916 George St, Chester, IL 62233. You can also email them at il052@rchail.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Randolph County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Randolph County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Randolph County, IL (currently $96,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $47,050. 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.

Randolph County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Randolph County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Randolph County, IL. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $47,050. 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 $19,800 $32,950 $52,750
2 Persons $22,600 $37,650 $60,250
3 Persons $26,650 $42,350 $67,800
4 Persons $32,150 $47,050 $75,300
5 Persons $37,650 $50,800 $81,350
6 Persons $43,150 $54,600 $87,350
7 Persons $48,650 $58,350 $93,400
8 Persons $54,150 $62,150 $99,400
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $96,500 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.