Gone are the days when welfare recipients and poor families dominated the waiting list for the housing choice voucher program formerly called Section 8. Today, middle-class families are now seeking public housing units and vouchers too.
Now that the Chicago Housing Authority has opened its waiting list for the first time in 10 years, middle-income families are expected to apply.
“I applied…and pray to God that I am selected,” said Sean Granberry, 45, who is married with two small boys, ages 2 and 4. “My wife and I have a combined income less than $50,000 and I hear that amount will just qualify us for a voucher should we be selected.”
Unlike previous years, now an income of $50,000 a year for a family of eight, $37,700 for a family of four and $26,400 for an individual would all qualify under federal income guidelines. A household of one person is deemed living in poverty if the income is less than $10,210 and for a family of eight that income total is $34,570.
A lottery will determine the fate of nearly 200,000 people expected to apply for a spot on the list that was once filled with 35,000 names but is now down to a few thousand, said Bryan Zises, communications director for the CHA. “One thing people should know is that there’s no first come, first serve benefit here.
Someone who applies May 15 has just as much chance to be selected as someone who applied April 18,” Zises said. “The lottery process should be completed by early summer, and those selected will be notified shortly after.”
Vouchers can be used to secure housing in the private market and at CHA complexes. The deadline to apply is May 15 and free applications are available at Chicago Park Districts, City Colleges of Chicago and all 50 aldermanic offices. Zises said the best way to apply is online at www.rentbetter.org. For more information, call 312-786-3676.
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