Waythrough is an independent resource, not CHA. We summarize public information to help you get oriented. For applications and the most current waiting-list status, always use the official links below.
The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is the public housing authority (PHA) that administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, Project-Based Vouchers, and public housing for the City of Chicago — the second-largest housing authority in the country. This page summarizes CHA's current waiting-list status, contact information, and how to apply, and links to the official CHA site for anything time-sensitive.
Quick Facts
Serves: the City of Chicago, Illinois
Phone: (312) 935-1777
Official site: www.thecha.org/
Apply: CHA application page
Status last checked: May 2026
Waiting-List Status
Waiting lists open and close frequently, so treat the status below as a starting point and confirm on the official site before you rely on it.
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): Closed — The general HCV waiting list closed in 2008 and has not reopened; more than 16,000 households remain on it.
- Project-Based Vouchers (PBV): Rolling, property-by-property — CHA operates separate PBV waiting lists for specific developments — apply through the online portal below.
- Public Housing: Partially open — Certain senior and family developments accept applications — check the online portal for current openings.
- Specialty referrals (HUD-VASH, FUP, EHV, Mainstream, FYI): Accepted by referral — Accessed through partner agencies rather than open public registration.
Programs CHA Runs
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
- Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)
- Public Housing
- HUD-VASH (for veterans)
- Family Unification Program (FUP)
- Emergency Housing Vouchers and Mainstream vouchers
How to Apply
Apply directly through the authority's official application page: applyonline.thecha.org/. If you have already applied, call (312) 935-1777 to verify your position and keep your contact information current — if the authority cannot reach you when your name comes up, you can be dropped from the list.
New to the process? Our step-by-step guide to applying for Section 8 walks through the whole thing, and how to find your PHA helps you locate the right authority.
Other Authorities Serving This Area
- Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) serves suburban Cook County outside the City of Chicago, with its own separate waiting lists.
More Local Resources
For the full picture of affordable housing in this area — emergency shelter, rental assistance, tenant rights, and legal aid — see our Chicago housing resources page and our IL state resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chicago (CHA) Section 8 waiting list open?
No. The Chicago Housing Authority's general Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list has been closed since 2008 and has not reopened; more than 16,000 households remain on it. CHA does operate rolling Project-Based Voucher waiting lists for specific developments, and certain public-housing developments accept applications — check applyonline.thecha.org for current openings and confirm before relying on any status.
How do I apply for CHA housing right now?
Because the general Section 8 list is closed, the realistic paths are CHA's property-specific Project-Based Voucher waiting lists and public-housing developments that are currently open, both through applyonline.thecha.org. Veterans may qualify for HUD-VASH, and families in the child-welfare system may qualify for the Family Unification Program by referral.
Who serves the Chicago suburbs?
The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) administers Section 8 and public housing for suburban Cook County outside the City of Chicago, and runs its own separate waiting lists. Neighboring counties have their own authorities as well.