Knox County Housing Authority

Galesburg, Illinois

Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Knox County Housing Authority

The Knox County Housing Authority, located in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois (PHA Code IL085), provides various assisted housing options for eligible individuals and families. This authority manages approximately 738 assisted housing units within its jurisdiction.

These units comprise 285 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program units and 453 Public Housing units. In addition, the Authority offers an Affordable Housing program. Currently, all three programs—Affordable Housing, HCV, and Public Housing—are open for new applications.

Applicants should review the specific income guidelines for eligibility. For a family of four, the current Very Low Income limit is $43,300 per year for the Knox County, IL area. Interested parties are encouraged to contact the housing authority directly to verify detailed eligibility requirements and application procedures.

Affordable Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online, In-person, Mail

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Placement on this waiting list is not determined by preferences.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preferences include local residency, veterans, elderly, disabled individuals, homeless, and victims of domestic violence.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preferences include living/working in Knox County, employment, veteran status, displaced status, and spending over 50% on rent/utilities; occupancy standards apply.

Status History

HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Knox County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 216 W Simmons St
City Galesburg, IL 61401
PHA Code IL085
Section 8 Units 285
Public Housing Units 453

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 Knox County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Knox County Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, HCV, 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 Knox 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 $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

Apply directly through the official Knox County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Knox County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Knox County Housing Authority manages approximately 738 assisted housing units (285 Section 8, 453 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Galesburg. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Knox County Housing Authority

Affordable Housing open

The Affordable Housing program at Knox County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Galesburg. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Knox 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 Galesburg. This program serves approximately 285 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Knox County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Knox County Housing Authority manages approximately 453 Public Housing units in Galesburg. 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 Knox County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Knox County Housing Authority administers 3 programs (Affordable Housing, 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's official portal or in person at their office at 216 W Simmons St, Galesburg, IL.
How long is the wait at Knox County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Knox County Housing Authority depend on demand in Galesburg, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 738 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 19, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "open" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Knox 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 Knox County Housing Authority, including Warren County Housing Authority (14 mi), Mercer County Housing Authority (27 mi), The Housing Authority of Henry County (31 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 Knox County Housing Authority?
You can reach Knox County Housing Authority by phone at (309) 342-8129. Their office is located at 216 W Simmons St, Galesburg, IL 61401. You can also email them at dantoine@knoxhousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Knox County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Knox County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Knox County, IL (currently $85,500). 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.

Knox County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Knox County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Knox 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: $85,500 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.