Housing Authority

Finding safe, affordable housing in a big county like Cook County can feel overwhelming. This guide walks you through how the Housing Authority of Cook County (often called the Cook County IL Housing Authority) works, what programs it runs, how to apply, and what to expect as a resident or landlord. You’ll also see where to find official forms, how to stay in good standing with your voucher or public housing lease, and how to reach the Housing Authority’s offices at the end of the article.

Understand How the Housing Authority of Cook County Works for You

The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) is the public agency that manages major housing assistance programs for suburban Cook County. Its mission is to support residents with equitable care, affordable housing, and opportunities to thrive, especially low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

HACC receives federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and then administers that assistance locally through rental subsidies, public housing, and supportive programs that help families build stability. You can learn more about HACC’s mission and services directly on the official Housing Authority of Cook County website.

HACC does not own or control every affordable unit in the county. Instead, it:

Operates public housing and affordable multi-family developments
Manages the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) program
Oversees project-based voucher properties
Partners with landlords in the private market
Offers programs that support self-sufficiency and homeownership

Understanding these roles helps you choose the right program and follow the correct steps.

Explore the Main Housing Programs Available in Cook County

HACC runs several core programs. Each one has its own rules, application process, and waiting lists, but they all share the same goal: providing safe, decent, and affordable housing.

Public Housing for Low-Income Households

Public housing consists of properties owned or managed by HACC and reserved for eligible low-income individuals and families. In these communities:

Rent is generally based on a percentage of your income.
Units must meet HUD housing quality standards.
HACC is your primary point of contact for management issues.

Public housing sites include senior buildings, family developments, and scattered-site homes in different suburbs. Availability changes over time, and many properties have closed wait lists, so it’s important to check HACC’s current open wait lists when they are advertised.

Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher Options

The Housing Choice Voucher Program helps eligible households rent in the private market. Instead of being limited to a specific building, you can search for a unit that meets your needs, as long as:

The landlord agrees to participate
The rent is reasonable
The unit passes inspection

HACC pays a housing subsidy directly to the landlord, and you pay the remainder of the rent. The program covers very low-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.

There are two key voucher types you’ll see referenced:

Tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV): The assistance is tied to you, not the unit. You can move to another qualifying unit and keep your assistance, as long as you follow program rules.

Project-Based Vouchers (PBV): The subsidy is tied to a specific property or unit. If you move out of that building, you generally lose that PBV subsidy, though some tenants later become eligible for tenant-based vouchers.

For an overview written specifically for residents, visit the Residents information page.

Affordable Multi-Family Housing Choices

HACC also oversees affordable multi-family buildings where the rent is kept below market rates, but the structure of assistance can look different from classic public housing or vouchers. These properties help:

Seniors on fixed incomes
Working families who earn too much for some programs but still can’t afford market rent
Residents who benefit from supportive or service-enriched housing

Because each building has its own eligibility rules and leasing process, always follow the application instructions provided directly by HACC for that property.

Apply for Assistance Through the Cook County Housing Authority

If you’re just getting started, the biggest questions are usually: “Where do I apply?” and “How do I know when the wait list is open?”

HACC often uses wait lists for its programs because demand is higher than available funding and units. Here’s how to approach the process.

Check for Open Wait Lists

HACC periodically opens and closes wait lists for:

Public housing developments
Project-based voucher properties
Housing Choice Vouchers (when available)

When a list is open, HACC will post official details on its website, including basic eligibility and how to apply. The site may also provide a way to sign up for emails to be notified about future openings. Whenever you see an open list announced, read all instructions carefully—many lists may be limited to specific building types, age groups, or household sizes.

Prepare Your Information Before Applying

Before you start an application, it helps to gather:

Social Security numbers (if applicable) for all household members
Birthdates and names for everyone in your household
Proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters, etc.)
Information on assets or other assistance you receive

Having these details ready makes it easier to complete online applications or paper forms within HACC’s deadlines.

Follow HACC’s Official Application Channels

Applications are usually submitted either:

Through online portals linked from the official HACC website
As instructed in HACC announcements for a specific property or program

Because HACC warns against unofficial sites, you should always start from the official HACC Residents hub or the main homepage when you’re looking for applications or wait list information.

Manage Your Rental Assistance as a Current Resident

Once you’re receiving help from the Cook County housing authority, staying in good standing is just as important as getting approved in the first place. HACC lays out clear expectations for recertifications, income reporting, and moves.

Complete Your Annual Recertification on Time

HACC must review each participating family’s income and household composition at least once a year. This “annual reexamination” determines:

Whether you’re still eligible
How much rent you pay
How much subsidy HACC pays on your behalf

Key points about recertification include:

HACC usually begins the process about 120 days before your effective date.
You’ll receive a packet in the mail with detailed instructions.
You generally have 30 days to complete and return all forms and documents.

For the most current recertification forms and instructions, HACC directs residents to the official Forms & Documents section.

Report Changes with Interim Adjustments

Life doesn’t wait for your annual review. If your household income or composition changes—someone gains or loses a job, a child joins the household, a family member moves out—you are required to report it to HACC.

HACC’s policy is that families must report changes in writing and/or by submitting an interim/adjustment request within 30 days of the change. HUD regulations also permit HACC to initiate its own interim reexaminations as needed.

Reporting changes on time can:

Prevent overpayments that you may later have to repay
Allow your rent to be reduced if your income drops
Keep your assistance from being terminated for non-compliance

Request Reasonable Accommodations

If you or someone in your household has a disability, HACC can consider reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to programs. This can include changes to standard procedures, communication methods, or unit features when necessary to provide a safe, accessible home.

Residents can typically request accommodations through their housing specialist or by following instructions provided in HACC’s notices and forms.

Use Portability When You Need or Want to Move

If you have a Housing Choice Voucher, you may have the right to move and use your assistance in another jurisdiction, as long as it is served by a public housing agency that administers vouchers. This is called “portability.”

For families wanting to move into HACC’s jurisdiction, the initial housing authority must send a portability packet to HACC at its downtown address or via email. For families already assisted by HACC who want to move elsewhere, you must first contact your Housing Specialist to begin the outgoing portability process.

When you need to identify the housing authority for a new area, HACC’s guidance points to the official HUD public housing agency contact directory.

Partner With the Housing Authority as a Landlord

The Cook County housing authority also works closely with property owners who choose to rent to voucher-assisted households. Participating landlords receive stable rental payments and support in meeting federal housing standards.

Understand Why Landlords Participate

Benefits of renting to Housing Choice Voucher families through HACC include:

Reduced vacancy risk due to consistent subsidy payments
Rent that is adjusted to reflect the family’s income and local standards
Free housing quality inspections to help ensure units meet basic safety requirements
In some cases, eligibility for certain property tax abatements related to participation

Landlords still screen tenants as they would any other applicant, following fair housing and local human rights laws.

Follow the Step-by-Step Leasing Process

The typical process for becoming a landlord in the HCV program includes:

Market your unit and indicate that you’re open to renters with Housing Choice Vouchers.

Screen and approve an HCV family just as you would any other potential tenant.

Complete the move-in packet provided to the family and submit it to HACC’s downtown office.

Schedule and pass the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection required by HUD.

Review and approve the rent offer issued by HACC.

Sign the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract and lease and return them to the Housing Specialist.

Receive monthly assistance payments via direct deposit from HACC.

A detailed description of landlord responsibilities, inspections, and program rules is available on HACC’s Housing Choice Voucher landlord page.

Prepare for Required Inspections

Before a voucher-assisted tenant can move in, the unit must pass an HQS inspection. Inspectors look for issues such as:

Inoperable smoke or carbon monoxide detectors
Unsafe electrical conditions
Leaking plumbing fixtures or unsecured toilets
Inoperable windows and doors
Peeling or defective paint surfaces
Unsafe stair rails or handrails

Units under contract are generally inspected at least every two years. HACC may also order special inspections when serious issues are reported by landlords, tenants, or other sources.

Take Advantage of Self-Sufficiency and Homeownership Opportunities

HACC does more than help families pay rent. Through specialized programs, it helps households increase their income, build savings, and even purchase homes.

Family Self-Sufficiency Program

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program is designed to help voucher and other participating families become more economically independent. With FSS, you:

Work with HACC staff to set personal goals—such as reducing debt, gaining a degree, or starting a new career

Connect with employment, education, and supportive services

Build savings in an escrow account as your earned income increases

When you complete your FSS goals and graduate, you receive the escrow funds to use toward your future plans, such as a down payment or starting a small business. If you have questions about joining, HACC invites you to reach out by email using the contact information provided on its FSS materials.

Homeownership Program for Voucher Holders

For eligible families already receiving assistance and participating in FSS, HACC offers a Homeownership Program. Instead of applying your voucher to rent, you may be able to apply it toward qualified mortgage payments.

Key ideas behind the Homeownership Program:

You must be a first-time homebuyer under the program’s rules.
You still have to qualify for a mortgage with a lender.
Your housing assistance shifts from rent to an approved share of your monthly mortgage.

If you’re interested, HACC encourages you to talk with the FSS and Homeownership staff using the email contacts noted in the official program information.

Access Official Forms, Documents, and Procurement Opportunities

Whether you’re a resident, applicant, or vendor, it’s important to work only with official forms and instructions from HACC.

Find the Right Forms and Policies

HACC centralizes many of its official documents—such as recertification forms, portability forms, and Section 3 information—on its website. Using outdated or unofficial forms can delay your request or cause confusion, so always download them from the official Forms & Documents page.

On that page, you may find:

Program applications or update forms
Portability and move-related paperwork
Information about Section 3 opportunities
Procurement and “Doing Business” resources

Learn About Doing Business with HACC

Vendors and contractors who want to provide goods or services to the Housing Authority can review bid opportunities, requirements, and Section 3 guidance through HACC’s procurement information. The Doing Business with HACC section explains how to register, find open bids, and review related policies.

Stay Informed and Connected With the Housing Authority

Because policies, wait lists, and opportunities can change, staying connected with HACC helps you avoid missed deadlines and take advantage of new openings.

Use Official Contact Channels

If you have questions about your case, need to check the status of paperwork, or want to schedule an appointment, you can reach out through HACC’s official channels. The Contact page provides an online form where you can direct questions to specific departments such as Affordable Multi-Family Housing, FOIA, FSS, inspections, or the Housing Choice Voucher wait list team.

For public records requests under the state’s transparency laws, HACC provides instructions and submission details on its dedicated FOIA Request page.

Follow News, Events, and Governance

HACC shares updates on board meetings, annual plans, and community events. You can review recent announcements, reports, and program news on its News & Events section.

Keeping an eye on these official updates helps you:

See when wait lists open or close
Learn about new housing developments and redevelopment projects
Understand changes driven by HUD or local policy
Stay informed about how the Housing Authority is governed

Housing Authority of Cook County – Offices and Contact Details

Downtown and Central Management Offices:
10 South LaSalle Street, Suite 2200, Chicago, IL 60603;
1710 East End Avenue, Chicago Heights, IL 60411 – (312) 663-5447

Cook County Housing Authority FAQs

How do I find open wait lists and start the application process?

To see which programs are taking applications, go to the official Housing Authority of Cook County website from the “For Residents” area on the HACC homepage. The Residents hub shows open public housing and project-based voucher wait lists and links to the correct online application or instructions. When a list is closed, it will be clearly marked, so always rely on the current information posted there rather than other sites or social media.

Where can residents and applicants get official forms and online access?

If you’ve already applied or are a current participant, the Residents hub at Residents – HACC serves as a central starting point. From there you can reach the RentCafé portals for applicants, residents, and landlords, and you’ll see links to required paperwork. For the newest versions of recertification, portability, and other program documents, use the Forms & Documents page at HACC resources, which is kept current by the housing authority.

What should participants know about recertifications, income changes, and moves?

HACC reviews your income and household size on a regular schedule through recertifications, and the rules for these reviews are outlined on the Housing Choice Voucher and related sections of Residents – HACC. Families are expected to report changes in income or household members in writing within the timeframe stated there, and moves generally require advance written notice and approval. Checking these program pages before you act helps you avoid missing a deadline that could affect your assistance.

How can landlords work with voucher holders through HACC?

Owners who want to rent to families with vouchers should start with the Housing Choice Vouchers – HACC page. It explains program basics from the owner side, including how the leasing packet, inspections, rent offers, and Housing Assistance Payments work. The page also points to inspection guidance and forms so landlords can prepare units to meet Housing Quality Standards and understand follow-up or special inspections.

Where do vendors and contractors find bid opportunities?

Companies interested in maintenance, construction, professional services, or other contracts can use the Doing Business – HACC page. From there you can register in the electronic procurement system, view open solicitations, and access Section 3 information and doing-business forms. Because all official bid announcements and documents are routed through this system, checking it regularly is the best way to stay current on opportunities with the housing authority.