Whiteside County Housing Authority

Rock Falls, Illinois

Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Whiteside County Housing Authority

The Whiteside County Housing Authority, located in Rock Falls, Whiteside County, Illinois, currently offers housing assistance through two programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and Public Housing. Both programs have recently changed from a closed status to open for new applicants, presenting an opportunity for eligible individuals and families to apply.

The authority manages approximately 564 assisted housing units. This total includes 299 Housing Choice Vouchers (often referred to as Section 8 vouchers) and 265 Public Housing units. These programs are designed to help provide safe, decent, and affordable housing to those who meet the eligibility criteria.

Applicants must adhere to income limits specific to the Whiteside County, IL area. For example, a family of four must meet the Very Low Income limit, which is currently set at $46,100 per year. Prospective applicants should contact the Whiteside County Housing Authority directly to confirm their eligibility and specific application procedures.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Mar 6, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

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

Additional Notes

Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Mar 13, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Applications are accepted for families and elderly/disabled individuals; Civic Plaza I and Garden Homes are dedicated to elderly/disabled individuals. Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

Status History

Public Housing Opened Mar 13, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 6, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 4, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 3, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Whiteside 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 401 W 18th St
City Rock Falls, IL 61071
PHA Code IL032
Section 8 Units 299
Public Housing Units 265

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 Whiteside County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Whiteside County Housing Authority currently has 2 open waiting lists (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 Whiteside 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 $46,100/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 Whiteside 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 Whiteside County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Whiteside County Housing Authority manages approximately 564 assisted housing units (299 Section 8, 265 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Rock Falls. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Whiteside County Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Whiteside 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 Rock Falls. This program serves approximately 299 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 Whiteside County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Whiteside County Housing Authority manages approximately 265 Public Housing units in Rock Falls. 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 Whiteside County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Whiteside 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's official portal or in person at their office at 401 W 18th St, Rock Falls, IL.
How long is the wait at Whiteside County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Whiteside County Housing Authority depend on demand in Rock Falls, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 564 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 13, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Whiteside 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 Whiteside County Housing Authority, including Lee County Housing Authority (13 mi), Ogle County Housing Authority (25 mi), Low Rent Housing Agency of Clinton (26 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 Whiteside County Housing Authority?
You can reach Whiteside County Housing Authority by phone at (815) 625-0581. Their office is located at 401 W 18th St, Rock Falls, IL 61071. You can also email them at wcha@wcopha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Whiteside County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Whiteside County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Whiteside County, IL (currently $92,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $46,100. 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.

Whiteside County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Whiteside County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Whiteside County, IL. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,100. 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 $19,400 $32,300 $51,650
2 Persons $22,150 $36,900 $59,000
3 Persons $26,650 $41,500 $66,400
4 Persons $32,150 $46,100 $73,750
5 Persons $37,650 $49,800 $79,650
6 Persons $43,150 $53,500 $85,550
7 Persons $48,650 $57,200 $91,450
8 Persons $54,150 $60,900 $97,350
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $92,200 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.