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Chicago’s voucher program serves more than 36,000 families, making it the city’s largest single source of affordable housing. |
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About the Housing Voucher Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a national rental assistance program, funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The goal of the program is to assist low- and moderate-income families to rent housing in the private market, by paying a portion of the family’s rent each month. The program allows families to access a broader range of quality housing options—options that they might not otherwise be able to afford.
Families participating in the Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program can rent a single-family home, an apartment or a condominium. Prior to receiving a subsidy, however, every unit must pass a housing inspection. Once the unit passes inspection and rent reasonableness guidelines, voucher families pay between 30 - 40 percent of their monthly income toward monthly rent and utilities and CHAC pays the difference directly to the property owner.
Under the program, families, owners and CHAC all have rights and responsibilities.
Voucher families are required to:
- comply with program rules and the terms of their lease with the property owner
- permit housing inspections by CHAC
- report changes in income and household composition
- keep the unit in good condition
Participating property owners’ responsibilities are to:
- screen all applicants for suitability as tenants
- collect the tenant’s portion of the rent
- comply with landlord-tenant and fair housing laws, the terms of the lease with the tenant and their contract with CHAC
- permit inspections by CHAC
- make timely repairs to keep the property in good condition
As administrator of the program, CHAC’s major responsibilities are to:
- manage daily operations with fiscal integrity and in accordance with federal rules and regulations
- meet its goals and objectives established by the Chicago Housing Authority
- determine whether families and individuals are eligible for the program
- inspect units to ensure that they meet federal guidelines in terms of health and safety standards
- pay the appropriate portion of the rent to the owner in a timely manner; and
- monitor voucher participants and owners to ensure their compliance with program rules
Disclaimer: It has come to our attention that people have attempted to sell housing vouchers and applications for vouchers. This is a reminder that you should NEVER pay for such services. It is illegal for anyone to require money for ANY services provided by the Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program, including obtaining an application or voucher and placement on the waiting list. If anyone asks you for money for these services, notify CHAC immediately, by contacting our fraud hotline at 1.800.533.0441.
