Bureau County Housing Authority

Princeton, Illinois

Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Bureau County Housing Authority

The Bureau County Housing Authority (PHA Code IL086) is located in Princeton, Bureau County, Illinois. This authority manages approximately 329 assisted housing units, consisting of 75 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 254 Public Housing units. Their primary programs are the Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing.

Currently, all waiting lists for both the Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing are closed to new applicants. The HCV waiting list recently updated its status from unknown to closed. For prospective applicants, income limits apply; for instance, a family of four must meet the very low-income limit for the Bureau County, IL area, which is $44,550 per year.

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

Most Housing Choice Vouchers require income to be at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI), with extremely low-income households (30% AMI) often receiving priority on waiting lists.

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

Eligibility generally depends on annual gross income, age or disability status, and US citizenship or eligible immigration. Required documents often include birth certificate, social security card, and photo ID.

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

Status History

HCV Closed 6 days ago

Official Application

Contact Bureau County Housing Authority directly at (815) 879-8106 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 444 S Church St
City Princeton, IL 61356
PHA Code IL086
Section 8 Units 75
Public Housing Units 254

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 Bureau County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

All 2 waiting lists at Bureau 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 Bureau 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 $44,550/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 Bureau County Housing Authority directly at (815) 879-8106 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 Bureau County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Bureau County Housing Authority manages approximately 329 assisted housing units (75 Section 8, 254 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Princeton. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Bureau County Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Bureau 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 Princeton. This program serves approximately 75 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 Bureau County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Bureau County Housing Authority manages approximately 254 Public Housing units in Princeton. 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 Bureau County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Bureau 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 444 S Church St, Princeton, IL.
How long is the wait at Bureau County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Bureau County Housing Authority depend on demand in Princeton, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 329 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 1, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "unknown" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Bureau 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 Bureau County Housing Authority, including The Housing Authority of Henry County (26 mi), Whiteside County Housing Authority (30 mi), Housing Authority for LaSalle County (33 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 Bureau County Housing Authority?
You can reach Bureau County Housing Authority by phone at (815) 879-8106. Their office is located at 444 S Church St, Princeton, IL 61356. You can also email them at laurel.hand@bcha1.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Bureau County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Bureau County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Bureau County, IL (currently $89,100). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $44,550. 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.

Bureau County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Bureau County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bureau County, IL. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $44,550. 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 $18,750 $31,200 $49,950
2 Persons $21,400 $35,650 $57,050
3 Persons $26,650 $40,100 $64,200
4 Persons $32,150 $44,550 $71,300
5 Persons $37,650 $48,150 $77,050
6 Persons $43,150 $51,700 $82,750
7 Persons $48,650 $55,250 $88,450
8 Persons $54,150 $58,850 $94,150
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $89,100 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.