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Rental Housing
Support Program
The housing affordability crisis directly impacts many families and households throughout the State of Illinois causing them to pay a disproportionate share of their income for basic housing. To address this pressing need, the State of Illinois enacted the Rental Housing Support Program (RHSP). This state-funded program promotes permanent housing by providing rental assistance to rent burdened extremely- and severely-low-income households.
How the Program Works
Since 2011, Housing Choice Partners (HCP) receives funding from the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) to manage the RHSP in suburban Cook County. Under this program, participants pay only 30 percent of their income for rent. They pay the rent directly to the landlord and HCP pays the remainder of the rent directly to the landlord as well.
Currently, the RHSP program subsidizes just 70 units in suburban Cook County. HCP conducts periodic outreach to recruit renters who meet the extremely- and severely-low-income requirements. Once their eligibility is confirmed, HCP will take participants through an orientation and will keep them on an active waitlist until a unit opens up.
Units are always in need. Therefore, HCP also makes efforts to connect with landlords on an ongoing basis. HCP will explain the benefits of program participation, how rental rates are determined, and when subsidy payments are made. HCP will also confirm unit eligibility via an inspection and ultimately finalize an agreement.
How is this Program Different?
The RHSP program is different from the traditional Section 8 or Housing Choice Voucher program in that the subsidy is based on the unit. That means that when one participant vacates the unit, another extremely- or severely-low-income participant moving into the unit would receive the same benefits. Participants in the RHSP program do not have to be Housing Choice Voucher participants. Although this is a small-scale program, enrollment in this program can bring about long-term stability to clients since there is currently no time limit for tenant participation in the RHSP program.
How Type of Support Does HCP Provide?
HCP provides a number of supportive roles for both tenants and landlords participating in the RHSP. HCP's first priority is to ensure a healthy relationship between landlords and tenants by assisting in rental lease negotiations, providing inspections to ensure the safety of all parties, ensuring program rules are met by all participants, and mediating any potential disputes that may arise, even after the lease is signed. HCP also helps to connect tenants with any needed social services.
How do Tenants Enroll?
At this time, the application waitlist is closed. Participation for renters is limited due to small amount of units available. However, renters are encouraged to visit this page periodically or sign up for our general newsletter for any notice of an open application for the waitlist.
How do Landlords Enroll?
Landlord partnerships are always welcomed and enrollment for the Rental Housing Support Program is on an ongoing basis. Please contact Mari Valero at (312) 386-1009 x229, or via email for more information.