Section 8 Rentals in Chicago: Landlord and Tenant Guide

Section 8 rentals in Chicago aren’t just another housing option-they’re the difference between staying in your apartment and getting evicted. For landlords, it’s a steady stream of rent payments backed by the government. For tenants, it’s often the only way to afford a safe place to live. But the system is messy, confusing, and full of traps for people who don’t know the rules.

How Section 8 Works in Chicago

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is run by the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA), which gets its money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It’s not a public housing program-you don’t live in government buildings. Instead, you get a voucher that covers part of your rent in a private apartment or house.

The amount of help you get depends on your income. If you make 30% of the area median income, the CHA pays up to 70% of your rent. If you make more, you pay more. The voucher covers the difference between 30% of your monthly income and the payment standard for your unit size.

Here’s the catch: landlords don’t have to accept Section 8 vouchers. But in Chicago, it’s illegal to refuse someone just because they use one. That’s thanks to the Source of Income Protection Ordinance, passed in 2020. Landlords can still screen applicants for credit, criminal history, or rental history-but they can’t say, “We don’t take Section 8.”

What Landlords Need to Know

Many landlords avoid Section 8 because they think it’s complicated. It’s not. Here’s how it actually works:

• You list your rental like normal-on Zillow, Apartments.com, or your own website.
• A tenant with a voucher contacts you and asks if you accept Section 8.
• You agree, and they submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) to CHA.
• CHA sends an inspector to check your unit. It must meet HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS). That means no broken windows, no mold, working heat, running water, and safe electrical systems.
• If it passes, CHA signs a contract with you and starts sending rent directly to your bank account every month.

Payments are reliable. CHA pays on time, every time. Late payments? Almost never. If the tenant stops paying their share, CHA still pays its portion. You’re protected from rent defaults.

But there are downsides. Inspections happen every year. If you install a new shower and it leaks, you’ll get a notice. Repairs must be done fast-usually within 30 days. If you don’t fix it, CHA can stop payments. And you can’t raise the rent without CHA’s approval. They compare your rent to similar units in the neighborhood. If you ask for $1,800 but comparable units rent for $1,500, they’ll cap it at $1,500.

What Tenants Need to Know

Getting a Section 8 voucher in Chicago isn’t easy. The waiting list has over 100,000 names. New applications closed in 2021 and are still closed as of 2026. If you’re on the list, your turn might come in 5-10 years. Some people get lucky with priority status-homeless families, domestic violence survivors, or those displaced by natural disasters.

Once you have a voucher, you have 120 days to find a place. That sounds like a lot, but in Chicago’s tight rental market, it’s not. You need to be organized. Know your payment standard. Know what neighborhoods accept vouchers. Call landlords before you visit. Ask: “Do you accept Section 8?” Don’t waste time on places that don’t.

When you find a place, the landlord has to agree to the inspection. If they refuse, you can report them to CHA. Under Chicago law, that’s discrimination. CHA can fine landlords who violate this rule.

Your share of the rent can’t go over 40% of your income. If your rent is $1,200 and your income is $2,000, you pay $600. CHA pays the other $600. If your income drops, your rent goes down. If you get a raise, your rent goes up-but slowly. CHA recalculates every year.

Common Pitfalls for Landlords

Landlords who do Section 8 well have one thing in common: they treat it like any other rental. They don’t make exceptions. They screen tenants the same way. They don’t lower standards because the government is paying.

But here are the mistakes they make:

• Accepting a tenant without an inspection. You can’t skip this. If the unit fails later, you owe CHA money.
• Not keeping records. Always keep copies of inspection reports, payment receipts, and communication with CHA.
• Trying to evict too fast. You can’t evict a Section 8 tenant just because they’re behind on their portion. You have to go through the same legal process as any other tenant-and CHA has to be notified.
• Ignoring repairs. A broken heater in January? You’ll get a notice within 48 hours. CHA doesn’t wait.

Common Pitfalls for Tenants

Tenants often think Section 8 means they can pick any apartment. It doesn’t. The voucher has limits. The rent must be below the payment standard. The unit must pass inspection. And you can’t move into a place without CHA’s approval.

Here’s what goes wrong:

• Signing a lease before approval. If the unit fails inspection, you lose your deposit and your voucher.
• Not telling CHA about a move. If you move without permission, your voucher gets canceled.
• Not reporting income changes. If you get a raise, you have 10 days to tell CHA. If you don’t, you could owe them money later.
• Using the voucher in the wrong city. Section 8 vouchers are portable, but you have to notify CHA and get approval before moving out of Chicago.

Where to Find Section 8-Friendly Rentals

Not all neighborhoods in Chicago are equal when it comes to Section 8. Some landlords are more open. Others have informal policies against it-even if it’s illegal.

Areas with higher voucher usage: North Lawndale, Englewood, Austin, South Shore, and parts of Humboldt Park. These areas have more landlords who are used to the program. That doesn’t mean they’re all good-but they’re more likely to accept vouchers.

On the flip side, neighborhoods like Lincoln Park, Lakeview, and Gold Coast have very few Section 8 rentals. Landlords there often charge market rates and don’t want the paperwork.

Use CHA’s online portal to search for approved properties. Or ask local housing nonprofits like Shelter Half or Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. They keep lists of landlords who accept vouchers.

What Happens If You Break the Rules?

Landlords who refuse Section 8 tenants can be fined up to $2,500 per violation. CHA has been enforcing this more aggressively since 2023. They’ve already issued over 300 fines in the last two years.

Tenants who lie about income, sublet their unit, or let someone else live there without approval can lose their voucher permanently. CHA does random home visits. They check who lives there. If they find someone who isn’t on the lease, you’re done.

And if you damage the unit beyond normal wear and tear, CHA can hold you responsible for repairs-even if they paid most of the rent.

Final Thoughts

Section 8 in Chicago isn’t perfect. The waiting list is broken. The inspections are strict. The paperwork is endless. But for thousands of people, it’s the only way to stay housed.

For landlords, it’s a reliable source of income with fewer bad tenants than you think. Many Section 8 renters are employed, have good credit, and treat the property well.

For tenants, it’s not a handout-it’s a lifeline. But you have to play by the rules. Know your rights. Know your limits. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.

The system works when both sides understand it. Not when one side tries to game it.