Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA), believes that having a safe, stable home is something everyone deserves. We work with local, state, and federal organizations to provide homes and supportive services to the families and communities we serve.
WCHA administers programs for both Winnebago County Housing Authority and Boone County Housing Authority.
WCHA (Winnebago County Housing Authority) has several housing options available, so finding one that fits your family’s needs is step one. Learn about each of our programs and their basic eligibility requirements.
We know that applying for housing can be stressful, but we are here to help. To start the process, complete our pre-application. After 10 business days, you’ll be assigned a wait list number to track your application.
Your number on the wait list is affected by your needs, the needs of others in the community, and the availability of housing. Once your application is processed, you’ll be able to log in to track your status on the wait list.
A safe, stable home in a supportive community offers more than a place to live – it inspires hope and achievement. With affordable housing, families can thrive and focus on their futures. It reduces unimaginable stress, which improves physical and mental health. Through our housing and other support programs, residents achieve more in school and jobs, develop a sense of pride, and find a sense of belonging and community.
Safety
Stability
Supportive
Hopeful
Thriving
Pride
We maintain extremely high standards for our communities with the goal of redefining perceptions about affordable housing. Here are just a few!
D’Agnolo Garden Apartments in Rockton, IL features lovely 1-bedroom unites on acres of park within a couple miles of banks, stores, restaurants and pharmacies.
Collier Garden Apartments feature 1- and 2-bedroom units situated on acres of park within a couple miles of banks, stores, restaurants, pharmacies and more.
Robert Johnston Garden Apartments in South Beloit, IL features 1-bedroom units within walking distance of banks, stores, pharmacies, and restaurants.
At Winnebago County Housing Authority, we create vibrant neighborhoods, fight blight in our communities, and address the negative impacts of poverty. While we are known for our housing programs, we actively develop and participate in initiatives to support growth and learning toward self-sufficiency for our residents and others. We’ve earned a reputation for innovation and are often looked to as leaders in affordable housing.
Collier Garden's Garden Committee donated fresh produce from their garden to St. Elizabeth's Food Pantry. They were excited to share the harvest with others. . See More See Less
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We can't get too far away from August 21st before acknowledging the history of the Section 8 program!
August 21, 2024 was the 50th anniversary of the Section 8 program through The Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, and we thought it would be interesting to look back on the history of the program.
1937
The Housing Act of 1937 was created on 09/01/37 at the height of The Great Depression to fit the need of affordable housing that was so visible with the “Hoovervilles” shanties that started appearing around cities (so called after President Hoover, who was in office during the October 29, 1929 Stock Market Crash).
1940
The Housing Act made it possible for cities and counties to create local housing authorities. WCHA was created on 09/11/40, one week before the first peace-time draft in U.S. history, to prepare for the families of servicemen to be stationed at Camp Grant in Rockford. Housing authorities such as WCHA build and own their own public housing.
1965
Congress enacts Section 23 of the Housing Act, which allows housing authorities, for the first time, to reach out to the private market to house families. Under Section 23, a housing authority would lease a landlord’s house or apartment complex, and then sublease it to low-income families.
1970
Congress authorizes the Experimental Housing Allowance Program (EHAP) under Section 501 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1970, which tested the concept of providing housing allowances to families who rented from landlords. This was the first major test of what we know today to be the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also called Section 8.
1974
Congress enacts Section 8 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (and that is where the name Section 8 originated. Originally, they were certificates, with separate wait lists dependent on bedroom size, and a fixed rental subsidy based on bedroom size.
1983
Congress adds the voucher program as an alternative to the certificate program. The voucher program uses a single wait list, and the housing assistance is based on the 50th percentile of a market area rent, with the idea that the assisted family will pay less for a house with lower rent, and more for a house with higher rent (as with any family looking for a place to rent), and therefore use the housing assistance most efficiently through this shopping.
1998
Congress consolidates the certificate and voucher programs in the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998.
2024
This brings us to today. WCHA administrates over 1,600 Housing Choice Vouchers throughout Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone and Jo Daviess counties, in such programs as VASH (for homeless, disabled veterans), Mainstream (for homeless, disabled non-elderly), Family Unification (to help reunite families), Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, Project Based Vouchers that help us build and renovate affordable housing, and more.
What can Section 8 do? The program lets us build Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs, and the developer fees help us renovate distressed housing and provide them for free to the City of Rockford and the Rockford Police Department, for police officers and their families to have a free place to live in distressed and high crime neighborhoods--the police officer's presence, their visits to schools, businesses, churches, and neighbors, only helps build safer neighborhoods for all of us, and for the families served by the Section 8 program, like this house that was renovated in partnership with Rockford Comprehensive Community Solutions-Official
Thank you for all the many landlords and property owners that help us house families! . See More See Less
it would be interesting to look back on the history of the program. 1937 The Housing Act of 1937 was created on 09/01/37 at the height of The Great Depression to fit the need of affordable housing that was so visible with the “Hoovervilles” shanties that started appearing around cities (so called after President Hoover, who was in office during the October 29, 1929 Stock Market Crash). 1940 The Housing Act made it possible for cities and counties to create local housing authorities. WCHA was created on 09/11/40, one week before the first peace-time draft in U.S. history, to prepare for the families of servicemen to be stationed at Camp Grant in Rockford. Housing authorities such as WCHA build and own their own public housing. 1965 Congress enacts Section 23 of the Housing Act, which allows housing authorities, for the first time, to reach out to the private market to house families. Under Section 23, a housing authority would lease a landlord’s house or apartment complex, and then sublease it to low-income families. 1970 Congress authorizes the Experimental Housing Allowance Program (EHAP) under Section 501 and 504 of the Housing Act of 1970, which tested the concept of providing housing allowances to families who rented from landlords. This was the first major test of what we know today to be the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, also called Section 8. 1974 Congress enacts Section 8 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (and that is where the name Section 8 originated. Originally, they were certificates, with separate wait lists dependent on bedroom size, and a fixed rental subsidy based on bedroom size. 1983 Congress adds the voucher program as an alternative to the certificate program. The voucher program uses a single wait list, and the housing assistance is based on the 50th percentile of a market area rent, with the idea that the assisted family will pay less for a house with lower rent, and more for a house with higher rent (as with any family looking for a place to rent), and therefore use the housing assistance most efficiently through this shopping. 1998 Congress consolidates the certificate and voucher programs in the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998. 2024 This brings us to today. WCHA administrates over 1,600 Housing Choice Vouchers throughout Winnebago, Stephenson, Boone and Jo Daviess counties, in such programs as VASH (for homeless, disabled veterans), Mainstream (for homeless, disabled non-elderly), Family Unification (to help reunite families), Youth Aging Out of Foster Care, Project Based Vouchers that help us build and renovate affordable housing, and more. What can Section 8 do? The program lets us build Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs, and the developer fees help us renovate distressed housing and provide them for free to the City of Rockford and the Rockford Police Department, for police officers and their families to have a free place to live in distressed and high crime neighborhoods--the police officers presence, their visits to schools, businesses, churches, and neighbors, only helps build safer neighborhoods for all of us, and for the families served by the Section 8 program, like this house that was renovated in partnership with Rockford Comprehensive Community Solutions-Official Thank you for all the many landlords and property owners that help us house families!" height="" />
