Home | Forms/Documents | News | Contact Us | Privacy Statement | En Español
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
CHAC’s annual property inspections help owners protect their investment and keep our neighborhoods in good condition. |
||
|
|
|
How The Program Works
For families or individuals with a voucher, there are six steps to participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. They are:
- Issuance of voucher
- Housing Search
- Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection
- Rent Reasonableness Determination
- Execution of Lease and HAP Contract
- Rent & Housing Assistance Payments begin
If the tenant likes the unit and also passes the owner’s screening process, the owner will submit a Request for Tenancy Approval Packet or RFTA to CHAC. CHAC will contact the owner within 3 working days of receiving the paperwork to schedule a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspection.
The inspection process is designed to ensure that subsidized housing meets a minimum set of health and safety standards established by the federal government. Generally, the inspection is scheduled within 3 to 5 working days of the date that the owner indicates the unit will be ready. To assist owners in preparing units and expediting the inspection process, CHAC has prepared a self-inspection checklist. You can download a copy now.
After the unit passes inspection, the rent requested by the owner is reviewed to make sure that it is reasonable, compared to similar units in the neighborhood based on size, amenities and other factors. At this point, the tenant is ready to move in. The owner will sign a lease with the tenant and a Housing Assistance Payment or HAP contract with CHAC.
The HAP contract is the legal relationship between CHAC and the owner. The document outlines the rights and responsibilities of each under the voucher program. CHAC’s major responsibility to the owner is to make monthly payments on the tenant’s behalf in a timely manner; the owner’s major responsibility is to abide by landlord/tenant laws and keep the unit in good condition.
To receive additional information by mail, contact CHAC’s owner information line at 312.786.3602.
DOWNLOADS:
Owner's Guide to The Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program
Owner Orientation Sessions
Reference Manual for Property Owners and Managers
Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP Contract)
HUD's Tenancy Addendum
Housing Choice Voucher Program Family Obligations
Reporting Program Fraud Form (2 pages, including instructions)
