How to Apply for Section 8 in DuPage County, Illinois

1). Contact the Dupage housing authority at 630-690-3555 to add your name on the waiting list. The section 8 program is extremely popular. Most counties have long waiting lists, which can take the average person 5 to 10 years to reach the top. The county of Dupage is no different, as of June 2010, the waiting list for the Section 8 program is closed. When the list becomes open, a notice will be published in the local newspapers.
2). Schedule an appointment for intake. This is done once the recipient’s name reaches the top of the list. This process will determine if the individual or family is eligible for the program. At the intake meeting, the individual must submit documents to confirm their identity, income and citizenship. They also must provide the same documents for every person that will occupy the unit with them.
3). Attend a briefing. You will only be allowed to attend the briefing if you are found eligible for the program. The briefing will provide the recipient with useful information about the program, including how the program works. At the briefing the head of household is issued a housing voucher and moving papers. The voucher will state the maximum amount of rent the housing authority will pay on your behalf, as well as the amount of bedrooms you are approved for. The moving papers will start your process of moving from your current residence to a new unit. You will have 120 days to find a place to live and return this document back to the housing authority.
4). Find a place to rent. You can rent any type of housing as long as the unit can pass an inspection. Most voucher holders live in apartments. However, townhomes, houses and condominiums are not off limits. Once you find a unit and a landlord willing to accept the section 8 voucher, return the moving papers back to the housing authority to start the inspection process. Within a week, an inspector will inspect the house to make sure it is habitable. Once the house is deemed sanitary and safe, the housing authority will negotiate the rent and issue a lease. Sign both the lease with the housing authority and the landlord. If a security deposit is due, it must be paid directly to the landlord before you can move in.