Housing Authority Cook County
Chicago, Illinois
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Housing Authority Cook County
Housing Authority Cook County (HUD agency code IL025) is the public housing agency serving Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. It administers 276 public housing units and 14,142 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 9 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, Senior. As of Jul 29, 2026, 1 is open and 8 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $59,950 per year, and as Low Income at or below $95,900 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 49 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 6, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online (sign up for alerts)
Additional Notes
Affordable housing properties operate on waitlists. Prospective renters join a property waitlist. Waitlists open periodically based on occupancy. To receive waitlist alerts, sign up.
Other Programs
7 programsThese 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.
The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist for the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) is currently closed and does not serve the city of Chicago. It last accepted applications from October 19, 2020, to November 2, 2020.
No active openings for the Mainstream program at this time.
No active openings.
The Project-Based Voucher waitlist for Carefree Village (Oak Forest, IL) for seniors 55+ recently closed on October 2, 2026, after opening on September 30, 2026. This property is located in suburban Cook County, not Chicago.
The general Low-Income Public Housing waitlist for the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) is currently closed. Waitlists reopen periodically based on occupancy needs, and applicants are advised to check the HACC homepage for announcements. The HACC services suburban Cook County and explicitly states it does not service the City of Chicago.
There are no active openings for the RAD program at this time.
This waitlist was for one-bedroom units at Golden Towers I & II and Juniper Tower Apartments, for persons 55 years of age or older, with income limits applying to households paying up to 30% of their adjusted annual income.
This waitlist was for one-bedroom units at Golden Towers I & II and Juniper Tower Apartments for persons 55 years of age or older. Household annual income must not exceed established income limits.
Status History
Deadline: Jul 24, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Cook County 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 Housing Authority Cook County
Check Current Status
Housing Authority Cook County currently has 1 open waiting list (Affordable Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority Cook 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 $59,950/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 Housing Authority Cook County portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority Cook County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority Cook County manages approximately 14,418 assisted housing units (14,142 Section 8, 276 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Chicago. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority Cook County
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority Cook 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 Chicago. This program serves approximately 14,142 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority Cook County 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 closed
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority Cook County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Chicago. 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 closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority Cook County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority Cook County manages approximately 276 Public Housing units in Chicago. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority Cook County converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Chicago maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Senior Senior Housing closed
The Senior Housing program at Housing Authority Cook County provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chicago. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority Cook County free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority Cook County?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority Cook County?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority Cook County?
Housing Authority Cook County Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority Cook County are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $59,950. 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 | $25,200 | $42,000 | $67,150 |
| 2 Persons | $28,800 | $48,000 | $76,750 |
| 3 Persons | $32,400 | $54,000 | $86,350 |
| 4 Persons | $35,950 | $59,950 | $95,900 |
| 5 Persons | $38,850 | $64,750 | $103,600 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $69,550 | $111,250 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,350 | $118,950 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $79,150 | $126,600 |
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 Housing Authority Cook County — including across state lines.