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
Joining the Northern Illinois Landlord Association is an investment in your success. With guest speakers, informational resources on current political issues, and networking opportunities, you’ll gain both valuable insight and relationships.
The Winnebago Housing Authority (WCHA) is issuing a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) from experienced rental housing providers to receive Project-Based assistance for rehabilitation and/or new construction. The housing must be located within Winnebago and Stephenson County, Illinois. WCHA’s goals for project basing Housing Choice Voucher assistance are to increase and preserve affordable rental housing […]
The Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) is seeking public input on its FY27 Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement to the Annual Plan. The MTW Program is designed to (1) reduce costs and achieve greater cost effectiveness in federal expenditures, (2) increase self-sufficiency among families served, and (3) increase housing choices for low-income families. The Supplement […]
(Managed by Winnebago County Housing Authority) It will be held via Online Lottery: May 14th , 2025 12:01 am to May 20th, 2025 11:59 pm Apply online @ www.wchauthority.com 600 applications will be chosen through a computerized, random lottery system. Because it is a computerized, random lottery system, there is no advantage to those that […]
WCHA Resident Supportive Services Coordinator Emily Schwartz (right) and WCHA Family Self Sufficiency Coordinator Scott Lewis (third from right) presented on resident services program best practices at the Illinois Association of Housing Authorities annual conference! The other panelists included resident services from the Housing Authority of Champaign County and Knox County Housing Authority! ...
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LIHEAP Walk in applications will be taken this Thursday:
Thursday 10/15/26
Washington Park Community Center
3617 Delaware Street, Rockford
9:00 am - 12:00 pm ...
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The United Way of Boone County is hiring!
For an Administrative Assistant (Part-Time) Job Description
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Professionally answer phone, respond to questions, or direct calls as appropriate.
• LIHEAP/PIPP Intake – Schedule appointments, process digital applications
• Perform all data entry into QuickBooks (QB).
• Record incoming checks in log.
• Perform monthly bank reconciliations of all accounts
• Prepare ACH payment authorizations (quarterly)
• Generate monthly QuickBooks reports – Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, Transaction Detail by Account
• Prepare bank deposits
• Order office supplies and monitor inventory.
• Assist with shared tasks (annual financial review, EFSP documentation review)
QUALIFICATIONS:
• High school diploma or GED equivalent required.
• Experience in business administration, accounting, or related field preferred.
• Bilingual, preferred
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
• Basic computer skills
• Knowledge of QuickBooks Online
• Familiar with basic accounting principles preferred.
• Must be familiar with Microsoft Word and Excel
• Demonstrate excellent people skills with the ability to communicate effectively with the public.
Send your resume to Reverend Muriel Morely Jahn at director@uwboonecounty.org. ...
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Sharing the news of RAMP's Community Listening Session! ...
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Sharing the Rockford Rockford Illinois Police Department Trunk or Treat program! ...
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Ten years ago, we began building pathways toward greater stability, opportunity, and economic mobility in our community.
The first 10 years built the foundation.
The next 10 years will build the future.
That’s the vision behind Rockford Rising: 10 Years Forward, a community-wide initiative focused on reducing poverty, expanding opportunity, and creating stronger pathways to economic mobility for people throughout Rockford.
📅 Tuesday, October 27, 2026
⏰ 8:30–10:00 AM
📍 Rock Valley College – Downtown West Campus
315 S. Winnebago St., Rockford
Join us as we celebrate the work of the past decade and launch the vision for the next 10 years. The next chapter starts now.
👉 Register today: www.eventbrite.com/e/rockford-rising-10-years-forward-the-launch-tickets-2000054178889?aff=oddtdt...
#RockfordRising #10YearsForward #PathwaysToProsperity #StrongerRockford #EconomicMobility ...
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We had a wonderful morning with volunteers from Landstar and Header Die and Tool. They helped with outside cleanup and cleaning inside our Collier Garden building in Rockford for their Day of Caring program. They did an amazing job and we are so grateful for all they did here today!
Thank you to Collier Garden Manager Crystal Warne for putting this together. ...
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We're happy to share that Boone County Sheriff’s Deputy Michelle Young has received the 2026 Alvira B. Long Memorial Award for her service on the Boone County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.
Michelle is well known for her care to our community in her work with the Boone County Health Department’s Community Outreach and Recovery Program, the Boone County Prevention Coalition and Family Violence Coordinating Council, which led her to being selected for the 2024 National Nexstar Media Groups award honoring Remarkable Women.
She brought this community care as a Boone County Housing Authority board commissioner. The housing authority serves 300 of our community’s low-income families, has a self-sufficiency program that helps families transition out of housing assistance, vouchers for disabled and homeless veterans, for youth aging out of foster care, family unification and more. When she joined the housing authority board, Michelle went to work helping create a partnership with the 17th Judicial Circuit Court to create a different housing model for people with mental and emotional disabilities, which helped to reduce the endless arrest cycling and the hours of administration expense with our police and courts. She was also involved with the housing authority’s Pearl Place Apartments rehab that created homes for Boone County senior and disabled persons and the first housing in Northern Illinois that fixed vouchers for homeless disabled veterans in partnership with the Veterans Administration.
Michelle’s board work brought attention from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, which includes almost all of the nation’s 3,000 housing authorities, and they have awarded her the 2026 Alvira B. Long Memorial Award for Commissioners, which honors a housing authority commissioner in the central United States who has shown excellence in advocating and developing community support and program expansion for families.
Thank you to Boone County Chairman Karl Johnson for presenting the award at the County Board Meeting, and Boone County Sheriff Scott Yunk who was also onhand to congratulate Michelle. ...
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