A quality home is the foundation
of society & community

A quality home is the foundation of society & community

Application Information

How to Apply for the Low-Income Public Housing Program:

  1. Submit An Application
    • The application is found here.
    • If you need assistance applying for housing through our online portal, it is made available through our centralized Application Department located at 223 S. Winnebago St., Rockford, IL 61102. Please call 815-489-8500 to schedule an appointment for assistance.
  2. Join the waiting list
    • After submitting an application you will be placed on the Low-Income Public housing waiting list based on your selected program(s). Some lists are short, while others are very long. The amount of time you will spend on a waiting list depends on the demand for housing and waiting list preferences. You may see your waitlist status here.
  3. Submit a full application when you reach the top of the waiting list
    • When your name comes to the top of the waiting list, the Admissions Office will contact you by mail. You will be invited to a group interview, where you will meet with a staff member who will guide you through the full application process. They will collect documentation to confirm that you qualify for the Low Income Public Housing program.
  4. Have your application approved or denied
    • If you qualify, your application will be approved and you will be referred for placement in a unit in the Low Income Public Housing program. The approval is conditional until you lease a unit.
    • If you don’t qualify, your application will be conditionally denied. If that information is not sufficient, you may contest the denial by requesting a hearing.

How to Apply for the Low-Income Public Housing Program:

  1. Submit An Application
    • The application is found here.
    • If you need assistance applying for housing through our online portal, it is made available through our centralized Application Department located at 223 S. Winnebago St., Rockford, IL 61102. Please call 815-489-8500 to schedule an appointment for assistance.
  2. Join the waiting list
    • After submitting an application you will be placed on the Low-Income Public housing waiting list based on your selected program(s). Some lists are short, while others are very long. The amount of time you will spend on a waiting list depends on the demand for housing and waiting list preferences. You may see your waitlist status here.
  3. Submit a full application when you reach the top of the waiting list
    • When your name comes to the top of the waiting list, the Admissions Office will contact you by mail. You will be invited to a group interview, where you will meet with a staff member who will guide you through the full application process. They will collect documentation to confirm that you qualify for the Low Income Public Housing program.
  4. Have your application approved or denied
    • If you qualify, your application will be approved and you will be referred for placement in a unit in the Low Income Public Housing program. The approval is conditional until you lease a unit.
    • If you don’t qualify, your application will be conditionally denied. If that information is not sufficient, you may contest the denial by requesting a hearing.

Application Checklist

Do Not Wait to start gathering the items on the Checklist. You must have these documents at the time of your application interview.

Below is a list of items you must present at the formal intake interview appointment:

  • Any Income Verification
    • Welfare
    • Wages
    • Social Security and SSI
    • Unemployment Benefits
    • Veteran Income
  • Child Support
  • Retirement
  • Other income or assets
  • Photo ID for All Family Members 18 Years or Older
  • Birth Certificate for Everyone on the Application
  • Social Security Cards for Everyone on the Application
  • Marriage Verification (If Applicable)
  • Divorce Verification (If Applicable)
  • Current or Previous Landlord’s Name, Address and Phone number
  • Child Care Verification (Completed by the Care Giver)
  • Savings/Checking Accounts (Most recent statements)
  • Homeowners Tax Bill for the last year

Income Limits

To determine if a family is income-eligible, the Rockford Housing Authority compares the annual income of the family to the applicable income limit for the family’s size.

Family Members Low-Income Limit Very Low-Income Limit
1 Person
$39,000
$24,400
2 People
$44,600
$27,850
3 People
$50,150
$31,350
4 People
$55,700
$34,800
5 People
$60,200
$37,600
6 People
$64,650
$40,400
7 People
$69,100
$43,200
8 People
$73,550
$45,950