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 […]
Everyone needs a home. Even a mouse needs a house.
Let the Winnebago and Boone County Housing Authority help--we also cover Stephenson, Jo Davies, Carroll, and Ogle counties with homes!
www.wchauthority.com/ ... See MoreSee Less
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We appreciate the Rockford Apartment Association article in their January 2025 newsletter about our Family Self-Sufficiency Award!
The FSS program truly helps families move to self-sufficiency, making it so we can then help another family. And we can not do this without the valuable partnership of landlords. Thank you, RAA, for the article and the story of a family that was helped! ... See MoreSee Less
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Do you represent a family member or client for the Social Security benefits?
The Social Security Administration is excited to announce the launch of their newly redesigned Representing Claimants webpage. This new, task-oriented design aims to enhance customer service for appointed representatives and their staff by consolidating portals and services into one convenient location.
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Representing SSA Claimants | SSA
www.ssa.gov
Provides information about representing claimants in Social Security's hearings and appeals processes and Federal Court Review process0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Can a scholarship help you for your school?
We have 'em! The NICHA scholarship is available to any of our residents and families we assist in Winnebago, Stephenson, Jo Daviess, Ogle, Boone and Carroll counties! If you are part of the Winnebago Homes Association and Winnebago and Boone County Housing Authorities, then you are eligible for the scholarships.
The scholarships can be used for entrance exams such as SAT and ACT, tuition, books and other fees at an accredited college, university or trade school.
In 2024, two scholarships were awarded to two people in the WCHA program--the only scholarship awardees in Illinois (one of them is below)!
Please apply online at ... See MoreSee Less
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Hello everyone.
In keeping you updated, the Office of Management and Budgets has rescinded the memorandum pausing federal financial assistance.
We can now access our funding portal, and as shared last night, we had also been told by HUD that we would receive the Section 8 funding to make payments to landlords and families.
I’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide any further details as they may be needed. Thank you, everyone, for your patience. And again, thank you for being such valuable partners in the landlords that work with us, the community that supports us, and the families that we serve, so that houses continue to become homes for our communities and for so many families.
Alan
Alan Zais
Executive Director
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www.nahro.org
www.nahro.org
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Hello everyone.
As you may know, an Executive Order was issued last night initiating a “Temporary Pause of Agency Grant, Loan, and Other Financial Assistance Programs.” Details are still emerging.
Today, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released a list of programs under review, which includes the Housing Credit and most major HUD programs. Federal agencies must provide OMB with additional information by February 7.
In the meantime, OMB has issued a Q&A document that provides some additional clarity and can be seen at this link images.clubexpress.com/360930/attach/4076144_1_OMB_Q_A_M-25-13_1_.pdf
• Agencies will work with OMB to determine whether programs align with the Executive Order. Some pauses may last only a day, and OMB has already approved many programs to continue without interruption.
• Payments required by law will proceed as scheduled.
• The pause does not apply universally to all Federal financial assistance; it is targeted to specific programs and activities under review.
I think it is important to highlight a section of the Q&A that we note, and that states “Funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused.”
We understand additional guidance may be issued later today. It’s also worth noting that Cabinet Secretaries and agency leaders have flexibility in how they implement this process, though few specific decisions have been confirmed so far.
We appreciate the patience and understanding from all of the property owners, landlords, families and applicants that are such a valuable part of our critical work in providing housing for families through our programs. Please know we are closely monitoring developments and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Again, thank you so much for your patience, help and understanding.
Alan ... See MoreSee Less
images.clubexpress.com
images.clubexpress.com
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We're excited to share that HUD has designated the Winnebago County Housing Authority as the first MTW Regional Public Housing Authority in the United States!
The Moving To Work (MTW) program is only allowed for 139 of the nation's 3,300 housing authorities and gives the ability for a housing authority to put new programs in place that can best address a community's needs. The MTW Regional Public Housing Authority was designated to WCHA by HUD in recognition of these programs and the efficiencies put in place by WCHA. Through this designation, we're now able to extend the MTW program first to the Boone County Housing Authority and give that agency the ability to provide these same program benefits to Boone County.
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WCHA affordable housing program expands regionally to Boone County
www.wrex.com
The Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) is launching a new program that will expand access to affordable housing in both Winnebago and Boone counties.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A year ago the Jo Daviess County Housing Authority asked if the Winnebago County Housing Authority could help with the recovery of their Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, which had received a 2023 program score from HUD of only 27%
A year later we are happy to report that the recovery has been successful! HUD has scored the 2024 program at 89%, only one point short of a High Performer program!
We have to thank WCHA Deputy Director Deb Alfredson and WCHA Director of Voucher Operations Kristin Andrews for their great work in recovering the program in just 12 months. We also want to thank the Jo Daviess County Housing Authority for their partnership, and to HUD.
It makes a difference to the many Jo Daviess families who will have a safe home that they can now afford. ... See MoreSee Less
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