Do you need affordable housing?
We’re Here to Help!
Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA), believes that having a safe, stable home is something everyone deserves. We work with local, state, and federal organizations to provide homes and supportive services to the families and communities we serve.
WCHA administers programs for both Winnebago County Housing Authority and Boone County Housing Authority.
Step 1
Review Housing Options
WCHA (Winnebago County Housing Authority) has several housing options available, so finding one that fits your family’s needs is step one. Learn about each of our programs and their basic eligibility requirements.
Step 2
Apply for Housing
We know that applying for housing can be stressful, but we are here to help. To start the process, complete our pre-application. After 10 business days, you’ll be assigned a wait list number to track your application.
WHAT YOU NEED:
- Names, birthdates, and Social Security numbers of all members of your household
- Income information
Why is Affordable Housing Important?
A safe, stable home in a supportive community offers more than a place to live – it inspires hope and achievement. With affordable housing, families can thrive and focus on their futures. It reduces unimaginable stress, which improves physical and mental health. Through our housing and other support programs, residents achieve more in school and jobs, develop a sense of pride, and find a sense of belonging and community.
Safety
Stability
Supportive
Hopeful
Thriving
Pride
Featured Communities
We maintain extremely high standards for our communities with the goal of redefining perceptions about affordable housing. Here are just a few!
D’Agnolo Garden Apartments in Rockton, IL features lovely 1-bedroom unites on acres of park within a couple miles of banks, stores, restaurants and pharmacies.
Collier Garden Apartments feature 1- and 2-bedroom units situated on acres of park within a couple miles of banks, stores, restaurants, pharmacies and more.
Robert Johnston Garden Apartments in South Beloit, IL features 1-bedroom units within walking distance of banks, stores, pharmacies, and restaurants.
About WCHA
At Winnebago County Housing Authority, we create vibrant neighborhoods, fight blight in our communities, and address the negative impacts of poverty. While we are known for our housing programs, we actively develop and participate in initiatives to support growth and learning toward self-sufficiency for our residents and others. We’ve earned a reputation for innovation and are often looked to as leaders in affordable housing.
Lets get social!
News and Events
HUD Recognizes WCHA’s Groundbreaking Programs to Positively Reshape Affordable Housing Rockford, IL (January 23, 2025) –Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) announced today it has been named the nation’s first Regional Moving To Work (MTW) Housing Authority by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This historic designation recognizes WCHA for its groundbreaking efforts […]
The Boone County Housing Authority (BCHA) announces the availability of up to 4 Section 8 Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) for rehabilitation and/or new constructed housing units within Boone County. Applications in response to this Request for proposal must be consistent with the established Request for Proposals (RFP) and in compliance with government rules and regulations. The […]
The Winnebago County Housing Authority is seeking request for proposals from qualified professional grant writers. For a complete copy of the proposal, please contact Deb Alfredson at dalfredson@wchauthority.com or in person at 3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, IL 61102. Question deadline will be February 3, 2025. Submission dates will be from January 9th through February 10th, […]
The 45-day comment period for the proposed Direct Rental Assistance Program (DRA) will run from Monday, January 6th, 2025, to Thursday, February 20th, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. During this period, the documents related to the program will be available for review at the Winnebago County Housing Authority office, located at 3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, IL […]
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The National Public Housing Museum in Chicago has an opportunity for public housing residents with the Beauty Turner Academy of Oral History! And earn money for your help.
They're recruiting for their new cohort of the Beauty Turner Academy of Oral History. This is one of the National Public Housing Museum’s flagship programs: a multi-week, virtual, intergenerational and PAID intensive oral history training program. This training program empowers residents to harness the power of stories to make a difference in their communities.
Current and former public housing residents, as well as close community members of public housing across the country, are invited to learn more and apply. Applications are open through April 25. The 11-week virtual program (June 9–Aug 29), includes a $1,000 stipend, training workbook, and equipment starter kit.
Click here to learn more. ... See MoreSee Less
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We appreciated NAHRO CEO Mark Thiele inviting us to join him, NAHRO Communications Manager Catherine Berry and former Chicago Housing Authority CEO Tracey Scott for the grand opening of the National Public Housing Museum.
We had been invited to tour the site in 2017, and the renovation is remarkable. One apartment captures the 1930s home for the Garvis family, immigrants from Belarus. The second apartment a home for the Hatch family in the 1950s, and the third apartment the Luther home in the 1970s. The apartments had the pictures of the families, furniture and household items in the same configuration as they were for the families, immersive movie, and even recipe cards from the families for us to take along with samples!
The Museum has done a wonderful job with the National Archives for the apartment restorations, and now housing the larges oral archives that save and share the stories of the families and lives within this building and throughout public housing homes. ... See MoreSee Less
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Congratulations to Carolyn Cooper, elected this week as President to the Collier Garden Apartments in Rockford, and seen flanked by Resident Services Coordinator Emily Schwartz and Collier Garden Manager Christal Warne!
And we loved seeing some of the Easter decorations from residents. ... See MoreSee Less
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We appreciated the NAACP Freeport Branch and the Freeport Area Landlord's Association for inviting us to today's Housing Work Group to explore how we can come together and create solutions for Freeport's affordable housing needs.
The next program is community wide on 05/01/25! ... See MoreSee Less
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In need of food? City First Church is hosting a drive-through FREE food distribution starting at 10am this Saturday at Haskell School, 515 Maple Street. It goes until noon, unless they run out sooner.
Our thank you to Barb Chidley, Neighborhood Specialist with the City of Rockford, for sharing this news. ... See MoreSee Less
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We appreciated being a part of Shelter Care Ministries Rockford Foundation Fulfillment Friday and all the wonderful work and care of Shelter Care Ministries Rockford, and the opportunity to share our housing programs and applications.
And thank you to the WCHA team of Jilly Graciana and Emily Schwartz presenting at our table! ... See MoreSee Less
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