The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development may be able to work with landlords to lower rent for low-income tenants.
The median income for a family four in Illinois was $69,600 in 2010, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Those falling below this income level may be eligible for several types of housing assistance. Agencies throughout Illinois are prepared to offer counseling and application aid in several languages to families and individuals in need.
Instructions
Finding Low-Income Housing
1. Determine your eligibility for low-income housing. Low-income markers are set yearly by HUD. The 2010 low-income determination for a family of four in the Chicago metro area was $60,100; very low was $37,550; and extremely low was $22,550.
2. Search for a subsidized apartment in your area through the HUD website. These apartments have an agreement with HUD to offer reduced rent to low-income applicants. You may apply to live in these units through their management office.
3. Visit a public housing agency if you are not able to find subsidized housing. About 60 public housing agencies offering Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and low-income housing exist throughout Illinois. Those qualifying for Section 8 housing generally do not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the county they wish to live in. According to the 2008 U.S. Census, 12.2 percent of Illinois' population earned below the poverty level, meaning their income was lower than the determined poverty threshold for the year.
4. Apply for public housing or a housing voucher. Public housing is an apartment or home designated for low-income applicants, while a housing voucher allows the holder to live in qualifying home or apartments with mixed income tenants. You will need documentation, such as birth certificates for your family and tax returns, to verify the information you supply. After the public housing agency collects information on your family size, income and assets and approves you for a housing voucher, your family will be placed on a waiting list for housing.
5. Maintain your lease agreement if you are approved for housing. Public housing has no limits to how long you may live in an apartment or home, as long as you comply with the lease.
6. Contact a housing counseling agency if you want advice. A list of more than 100 HUD-approved agencies in Illinois is available on the HUD website.
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