Frequently Asked Questions

The Housing Authority has 4 different types of housing assistance programs. They include Public Housing, Section 8 Vouchers,  Rural Development, and Section 8 New Construction

The public housing program is funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and provides approximately 900 rental units at locations throughout Lasalle County and includes a mix of different unit types such as duplexes, high rises, row houses, and homes. The Housing Authority is the owner/manager of these units serving as the landlord.  The HA screens and selects tenants, signs and enforces leases and maintains the units.  Rent for the tenant is based on monthly adjusted income of the household and is paid to the Housing Authority.

The voucher program is funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is a certificate of eligibility for a participant to receive monthly rental assistance paid directly to a private owner landlord on their behalf.  The participant has a choice of where and what type of unit within the county that they wish to rent and will execute a lease with the private owner. Their portion of the rent will be paid directly to the private owner.  The HA will pay the remainder of the rent directly to the owner each month.  Funding limits assistance to approximately 525 vouchers. The HA currently sets aside 125 vouchers for Grundy County and 400 vouchers for use in Lasalle County.

Through funding received from the Department of Agriculture, the Rural Development Agency funds three apartment complexes in Lasalle County.  A total of 38 units at locations in Ottawa, Leland, and Sheridan are available. The properties are a mix of assisted and non assisted units.  Assisted units have rents based on tenant’s income, non assisted units rent for an affordable cost below market.  The HA serves as landlord for these units.

The Section 8 New Construction units administered by the HALC and funded by the Illinois Housing Development Agency are located at Fornof Manor in Streator, IL.  Fornof Manor is a 104 unit high rise originally designed for the elderly.  Unit rents are based on tenant income. The HA serves as landlord for these units.

Pre-applications for public housing and lottery applications for Section 8 Housing Authority programs may be obtained at the HALC main administrative office located at 526 E. Norris Drive in Ottawa, IL, or at one of two sites offices, either Centennial Courts, 2222 N. Tonti, LaSalle, IL or Evan Heights, 1401 Otter Creek, Streator, IL.  Applications must be picked up in person unless a reasonable accommodation has been made.

Unfortunately, the HALC does not offer emergency housing or have an emergency subsidy available. Please refer to the Helpful Links section to view a list of local agencies that may be able to provide emergency shelter and assistance.

The length of the waiting list varies for each program and is subject to other factors such as unit turnover, preference status of the applicant, and bedroom size required.  Following submission of a fully completed pre-application, applicants are sent a letter with an estimated length of wait time. Public Housing applicants may remain on the waiting list until a unit is available.  Section 8 applicants must reapply for lottery selection following the expiration of the lottery period. Lottery periods expire on January 31^st and July 31^st. Currently, the Section 8 Voucher program is the most popular, followed by public housing. Wait times for Section 8 New Construction and Rural Development are currently the shortest.

You will need information on all household members. This will include providing legal names, dates of birth, social security numbers,  income received, and address information. All household members aged 18 and older will need to sign the pre-application.  A photo ID will be required for the head and co-head of the household.  Proof of address,  income, assets, and social security cards will be required when you reach the top of the waitlist.

Applicants must have a household income that is less than federally established income limits.  The applicant must be of legal age to sign a lease (18 or legally emancipated). The applicant must not have a debt with the HA or any other HA.  Criminal records will be checked and prior tenancy or participation in federal housing will also be reviewed.  Crimes that are determined violent, drug-related, or result in sex offender status may cause a denial.  Previous evictions or multiple terminations from the Section 8 program may also cause a denial.  Applicants must also be able to obtain utility service for any tenant-paid utilities of the unit they rent.

Yes, you may apply for multiple location and programs. You are encouraged to apply only for units you would seriously consider as refusals are limited and may affect your placement on other lists.  

For all programs, assisted rent is based on approximately 30% of monthly adjusted income with allowance given for anticipated tenant utility costs.  For the Section 8 voucher program,  participants should keep in mind that the greater the rent, the greater the tenant portion.  Tenants may end up paying more than 30% of their income if they select a larger or nicer unit, but will not be allowed to pay more than 40% of their income.

Yes. A tenant-paid security deposit is required. For all programs other than Section 8, the deposit amount is $100. For Section 8, the deposit amount will be determined by the private owner, must be paid by the tenant, and should not be more than one month’s rent.

Yes, if the pet meets size requirements, has recent vaccinations, is spayed/neutered, and a pet security deposit is paid.  Note: final decision of pets being allowed in Section 8 is the decision of the private owner.

Changes to applicant information should be reported to the office in writing immediately.  Some changes will affect your wait time. A change in address should be reported promptly so that you can be contacted when you reach the top of the waiting list. If you fail to report changes, or you fail to respond to notices from our office,  you will be withdrawn from the lists and will be required to re-apply and start your waiting time over.