Rockford Housing Authority

Rockford, Illinois

Last Updated

3 hours ago

About Rockford Housing Authority

Rockford Housing Authority (HUD agency code IL022) is the public housing agency serving Rockford, Winnebago County, Illinois. It administers 1,308 public housing units and 2,363 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 3 waiting lists at this agency, covering Public Housing, HCV, PBV. As of Sep 27, 2026, 1 is open and 2 are closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Rockford, IL MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $43,300 per year, and as Low Income at or below $69,300 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 4 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 18, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The LIPH (Low Income Public Housing) waiting list is open. Applicants can join waiting lists for LIPH locations. Households who have previously applied for Public Housing can check their application status.

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

The HCV waiting list is currently closed. The Administrative Plan for the Housing Choice Voucher Program is available.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

The Project Based waiting list last accepted applications until September 16, 2019. A local preference was given to households with a permanent physical residence in Winnebago County, IL.

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

Status History

Public Housing Opened Sep 18, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 26, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 25, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 24, 2026

Official Application

Contact Rockford Housing Authority directly 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 223 S Winnebago St
City Rockford, IL 61102
Phone
(815) ███-████
Email
███████@rockfordha.org
PHA Code IL022
Section 8 Units 2,363
Public Housing Units 1,308

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 Rockford Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Rockford 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 Rockford 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

Contact Rockford Housing Authority directly at 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 Rockford Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Rockford Housing Authority manages approximately 3,671 assisted housing units (2,363 Section 8, 1,308 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Rockford. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Rockford Housing Authority

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Rockford Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Rockford Housing Authority manages approximately 1,308 Public Housing units in Rockford. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Rockford 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 Rockford. This program serves approximately 2,363 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Rockford Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Rockford. 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 Rockford Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Rockford Housing Authority administers 3 programs (Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV)) — 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 223 S Winnebago St, Rockford, IL.
How long is the wait at Rockford Housing Authority?
Wait times at Rockford Housing Authority depend on demand in Rockford, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 3,671 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on September 18, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Rockford 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 Rockford Housing Authority, including Winnebago County Housing Authority (2 mi), Housing Authority of the County of Boone (12 mi), Beloit Housing Authority (17 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 Rockford Housing Authority?
Rockford Housing Authority's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 223 S Winnebago St, Rockford, IL 61102. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Rockford Housing Authority?
Income limits for Rockford Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Rockford, IL MSA (currently $86,400). 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.

Rockford Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Rockford Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Rockford, IL MSA. 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: $86,400 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.