Kankakee County Housing Authority

Kankakee, Illinois

Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Kankakee County Housing Authority

The Kankakee County Housing Authority (PHA Code: IL039) is located in Kankakee, Kankakee County, Illinois. This authority manages approximately 1,145 assisted housing units, comprising 274 Public Housing units and 871 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units, to assist eligible low-income individuals and families.

The Authority operates two main housing programs: Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. While the Housing Choice Voucher program is currently closed to new applications, the Public Housing program is currently open for prospective applicants.

Applicants must meet specific income guidelines to qualify. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Kankakee, IL MSA area is $45,600 per year. Those interested in the open Public Housing program should confirm their eligibility based on these income requirements.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Phone

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Preferences include living, working, or attending school locally, or being employed; declining two invitations results in application purge.

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

Preferences, from the last opening, included working households living/working in Kankakee County, other Kankakee County residents, working households outside the county, and other outside county residents; applicants were added by date/time of submission with no limit on placement.

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

Status History

Public Housing Opened Mar 16, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 22, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 22, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 21, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 21, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 20, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 20, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Contact Kankakee County Housing Authority directly at (815) 939-7125 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 185 N Saint Joseph Ave
City Kankakee, IL 60901
PHA Code IL039
Section 8 Units 871
Public Housing Units 274

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 Kankakee County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Kankakee County Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (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 Kankakee 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 $45,600/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 Kankakee County Housing Authority directly at (815) 939-7125 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 Kankakee County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Kankakee County Housing Authority manages approximately 1,145 assisted housing units (871 Section 8, 274 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Kankakee. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Kankakee County Housing Authority

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Kankakee County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Kankakee County Housing Authority manages approximately 274 Public Housing units in Kankakee. 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 Kankakee 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 Kankakee. This program serves approximately 871 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 Kankakee County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Kankakee County Housing Authority administers 2 programs (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 185 N Saint Joseph Ave, Kankakee, IL.
How long is the wait at Kankakee County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Kankakee County Housing Authority depend on demand in Kankakee, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,145 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 16, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Kankakee 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 Kankakee County Housing Authority, including Housing Authority of Park Forest (26 mi), Housing Authority of Joliet (31 mi), Grundy County Housing Authority (35 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 Kankakee County Housing Authority?
You can reach Kankakee County Housing Authority by phone at (815) 939-7125. Their office is located at 185 N Saint Joseph Ave, Kankakee, IL 60901. You can also email them at rmcgill@kchail.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Kankakee County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Kankakee County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Kankakee, IL MSA (currently $91,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $45,600. 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.

Kankakee County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Kankakee County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Kankakee, IL MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $45,600. 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 $19,150 $31,950 $51,100
2 Persons $21,900 $36,500 $58,400
3 Persons $26,650 $41,050 $65,700
4 Persons $32,150 $45,600 $72,950
5 Persons $37,650 $49,250 $78,800
6 Persons $43,150 $52,900 $84,650
7 Persons $48,650 $56,550 $90,500
8 Persons $54,150 $60,200 $96,300
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $91,200 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.