Housing Authority of the County of Jackson
Murphysboro, Illinois
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the County of Jackson
The Housing Authority of the County of Jackson, located in Murphysboro, Jackson County, Illinois, manages approximately 1,436 assisted housing units. These comprise 656 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 780 Public Housing units.
This authority administers several housing programs. Currently, the waitlist for Public Housing is open to new applications. The waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Mainstream Vouchers, and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) are presently closed.
Prospective applicants should note the income guidelines. For instance, a family of four seeking very low-income assistance in the Jackson County, IL area must have an annual household income at or below $43,300.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 16, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The waitlist is open for studio and one-bedroom units; applicants must be income-eligible and submit all required documentation.
Other Programs
3 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.
Previous preferences have included living, working, or attending school in Jackson County, displacement by natural disaster, working/employed, working families, and rent burden; applicants are selected by date and time, weighed by preferences, and must keep application information updated.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
Status History
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Deadline: May 15, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Jackson portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 of the County of Jackson
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the County of Jackson currently has 1 open waiting list (Public 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 of the County of Jackson, 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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the County of Jackson 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.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Jackson manages approximately 1,436 assisted housing units (656 Section 8, 780 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Murphysboro. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the County of Jackson manages approximately 780 Public Housing units in Murphysboro. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties. The application window closes on May 15, 2026.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson 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 Murphysboro. This program serves approximately 656 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 of the County of Jackson 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Murphysboro. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Jackson?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the County of Jackson?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Jackson?
Housing Authority of the County of Jackson Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Jackson are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Jackson 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 |
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 of the County of Jackson — including across state lines.