Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan
The Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan (PHA Code: IL026) provides housing assistance services in Waukegan, Lake County, Illinois. This authority manages approximately 1,275 assisted housing units, which include 1,095 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 180 Public Housing units.
Programs offered include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, and Public Housing. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed; this includes the HCV and Mainstream programs, which were recently updated to closed status.
For potential applicants, the current Very Low Income limit for a family of four is $59,950 per year, applicable to the Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should monitor official channels for any announcements regarding future waitlist openings, as applications are not being accepted at this time.
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.
The website states 'Click Here to Apply for HCV/Section 8 Housing (ONLY WHEN A WAIT LIST IS OPEN)'.
This program is for non-elderly (18-61) persons with a disability who are transitioning out of an institutional setting, at risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Units range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, with rent typically set at 30% of household income.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan 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
-
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 Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan
Check Current Status
All 2 waiting lists at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan 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.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan, 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 $59,950/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 City of Waukegan 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 City of Waukegan, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan manages approximately 1,275 assisted housing units (1,095 Section 8, 180 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Waukegan. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan 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 Waukegan. This program serves approximately 1,095 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 City of Waukegan 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.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan manages approximately 180 Public Housing units in Waukegan. 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 Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan?
Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Waukegan are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $59,950. 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 | $25,200 | $42,000 | $67,150 |
| 2 Persons | $28,800 | $48,000 | $76,750 |
| 3 Persons | $32,400 | $54,000 | $86,350 |
| 4 Persons | $35,950 | $59,950 | $95,900 |
| 5 Persons | $38,850 | $64,750 | $103,600 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $69,550 | $111,250 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,350 | $118,950 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $79,150 | $126,600 |
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 City of Waukegan — including across state lines.