📌 Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)

IHDA doesn’t accept Section 8 applications itself, but it directs you to local PHAs and subsidized developments.

You can use IHDA resources to find developments that may have their own waiting lists. 

📝 . How to Apply Step-by-Step

Contact the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC)

Ask whether their Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is open — if so, request the application link or form. 

If the waitlist is closed, sign up for email notifications on the HACC site. 

Search Affordable Units & Waiting Lists

Use ILHousingSearch.org to find HUD or subsidized apartments near Hickory Hills where you may apply directly to properties. 

Check Nearby PHAs for Additional Vouchers

If HACC waitlists are closed, consider nearby PHAs (e.g., other suburbs in Cook County). Some might have open waitlists listed on affordablehousing.com waiting list directory. 

Prepare Required Documents

Typical documents for any low-income housing application or waitlist:

Photo ID

Proof of income (pay stubs, benefits statements)

Social Security numbers for all household members

Immigration status documentation (if applicable)

📌 Key Tips for Applicants

✅ Waitlists open sporadically — signing up for notifications is essential on HACC’s site. 
✅ Don’t limit yourself to a single program: look at local subsidized developments as well as HUD vouchers. 
✅ Keep updated contact info on file with PHAs so they can reach you when you move up the list. 

📞 Useful Contacts & Links

👉 Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) – Customer/Applicant Portal

Register for waitlist notifications and check program status on the HACC/RentCafe portal. 

👉 ILHousingSearch.org — Free Illinois housing search tool with contact info. 

👉 HUD Illinois Info — General HUD contact for rental assistance questions. Call 1-877-426-6515 (M-F)

These local housing authorities currently have open waiting lists for Section 8 (or are open until further notice):

Fulton County Housing Authority – Section 8 waiting list open until further notice 

Grundy County Housing Authority – Section 8 waiting list open until further notice 

Housing Authority for LaSalle County (includes LaSalle & Grundy County) – Section 8 waiting list open until further notice 

Jersey County Housing Authority – Section 8 waiting list open now 

Knox County Housing Authority – Section 8 waiting list open now 

Woodford County Housing Authority – Section 8 waiting list open now 

💡 Note: This is not a comprehensive list of all PHAs in Illinois, but it reflects those reported as open at this time. Many major authorities (e.g., Cook County, Chicago, DuPage, Joliet) currently have closed lists. 

📍 Example Open Waiting List Details & How to Apply

📌 Woodford County Housing Authority

Section 8 waiting list is listed as open now. 

Check the housing authority’s website or contact their office directly for the application and income eligibility criteria.

📌 Jersey County Housing Authority

Section 8 waiting list open. 

Contact details and specific application procedures should be verified on the authority’s official site.

📌 Knox County Housing Authority

Accepting Section 8 applications. 

Confirm how to apply with the local housing authority (often online or by mail).

📌 Fulton & Grundy/LaSalle County Authorities

Both are currently open until further notice. 

Visit each authority’s official website to access the Section 8 application.

🏘️ Major PHAs With Closed Lists

These large PHAs currently do not accept new Section 8 applications:

Housing Authority of Cook County (Cook County, including suburbs like Hickory Hills) – waiting list closed. 

Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) – waiting lists reportedly closed. 

DuPage, Joliet, Elgin, Park Forest, Lake County, McHenry County waiting lists closed at this time. 

Note: Some authorities close lists for years at a time.

🧾 Important Application Tips📄 1. Check Each PHA’s Official Website

For open lists, applications are typically available:

Online through the housing authority’s portal, or

By mail / in person (depending on local procedures).

📄 2. Verify Eligibility Before Applying

Most Section 8 programs require:

Income limits (usually ≤50% of area median income),

Citizenship or eligible immigration status,

Social Security numbers for all household members,

Proof of income and other documentation. 

📄 3. Apply to Multiple PHAs When Possible

Because the process can take years, applying to more than one open waiting list increases your chances. 

📄 4. Keep Your Application Updated

Once on a waiting list, you may need to periodically update your information (address, income, household size) or risk being removed. 

📌 How to Find More Updated Listings

You can also use tools that track Section 8 waiting lists nationwide:

AffordableHousingOnline – Open Section 8 Waiting Lists (Illinois) shows current statuses by county. 

AffordableHousing.com provides a searchable list and filters for open Section 8 lists in Illinois. 

Additionally, you can always contact HUD’s Public and Indian Housing Customer Service at 1-800-955-2232 to get help with local PHA contacts and waiting list info.