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
WCHA is releasing a Request for Proposals to identify and select an experienced professional Grant Writer consultant or firm with a proven track record of researching, developing, writing, and submitting successful grant proposals to raise both public and private funds in support of creative housing solutions for those with various forms of disabilities, persons experiencing […]
The Winnebago County Housing Authority has opened the public comment period for the 2025 Agency Plan. A 45-day comment period has been established beginning October 7, 2024 and ending November 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Throughout the comment period, the document may be viewed by clicking below and seen at 3617 Delaware Street, Rockford, Illinois, […]
The Winnebago County Housing Authority has opened the public comment period for the 2026 Moving to Work Plan Supplement. A 45-day comment period has been established beginning October 7, 2024 and ending November 21, 2024 at 5:00 pm. Throughout the comment period, the document may be viewed by clicking below and seen at 3617 Delaware […]
The Winnebago County Housing Authority and the Winnebago Homes Association (collectively “WCHA/WHA”) is issuing a Request for Qualifications (“RFQ”), soliciting proposals for: The WCHA/WHA is seeking a development team to assist in new construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing in the Illinois communities of South Beloit, Rockton, and Freeport, as well as to facilitate additional […]
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Congratulations to Danielle and her daughter, Amaya, families with the Winnebago County Housing Authority, who were awarded scholarships today from Northern Illinois Council of Housing Authorities (NICHA) scholarship program, which is for families served by the housing authorities in the NICHA membership. Below is Danielle, receiving her scholarship. Danielle is enrolled to attend the Illinois Institute of Nursing Studies, in Rockford, in January. Amaya is currently at Northern Illinois University, studying psychology with an intensive on nursing!
There is such a critical need for nurses, and Alan Zais, WCHA Executive Director, serves on the OSF College of Nursing to help our community with this. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is expected to expand by 6% over the next decade. The Bureau projects that 193,100 RN opening will be unfilled each year through 2032 when nurse retirements and workforce exits are factored into the need. In Illinois, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and the Illinois Economic Policy Institute published a report showing that over half of the Illinois registered nurses are over age 55, with Illinois projected to see an RN shortage of 15,000 by 2025 with 34% of existing RNs planning to leave nursing in the next twelve months.
We thank NICHA for their very valuable scholarship that makes such a difference to Danielle and Amaya! And thank you Danielle and Amaya, for pursuing an education and career that will help all of us! ... See MoreSee Less
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We are happy to share that HUD has again designated the Boone County Housing Authority as a High Performer Agency with a 104% score for the HUD annual Section Eight Management Assessment Program (SEMAP) score, which is the HUD report card for the agency. Very briefly, HUD grades housing authorities on:
• Selection from the Wait List. It is done correctly.
• Reasonable Rent: The family’s housing assistance is based on reasonable landlord rents.
• Determination of Adjusted Income: The housing assistance is properly calculated at 30% of adjusted income.
• Utility Allowance Schedule: Annually, BCHA properly completes a market utility allowance study for use in the housing assistance calculation.
• HQS Quality Control: BCHA has a quality control system in place for our Housing Quality Standards inspections of homes to ensure they are decent and safe homes.
• HQS Enforcement: BCHA enforces the Housing Quality Control inspections, a common sense inspection with 24 hour correction for emergency items, 30 days for all the others, and an abatement if the landlord or tenant are noncompliant.
• Expanding Housing Opportunities: BCHA provides the tools so families can choose the best home possible and integrate throughout the community.
• Payment Standards: BCHA reports its Payment Standards, which is used to calculate rental assistance. It is 110% of the Fair Market Rent (the highest allowed) based on a 50th % HUD FMR Exemption (otherwise it is 40%--this increases housing opportunities).
• Timely Annual Rexaminations: A family’s housing assistance is annually reexamined.
• Pre-Contract HQS Inspections: The home is inspected to ensure it passes the HQS before it is contracted to the program.
• Annual HQS Inspections: Inspections are done once a year. BCHA is allowed the HUD exemption to inspect every 24 months, reducing administrative expense and making the program more desirable to landlords.
• Lease-Up: BCHA uses its annual funding to as close of 100% as possible, which ensures we are helping as many families as possible.
• Deconcentration Bonus: BCHA was able to demonstrate that its program is responsible for helping to deconcentrate a high percentage of extremely low income families throughout the community, which makes it easier for families to find the best homes possible—near schools, transportation, employment and education. Specifically, this measure the extremely low income families with children, at 10% of the poverty level. The housing assistance made it possible for 95% of them to have homes in nice houses throughout Boone County.
The Boone County Housing Authority was created in 1946 with about 20 bungalows to house Veterans returning from World War II. Today, BCHA is a partner with the Winnebago County Housing Authority, serving almost 300 families for our community through the regular housing voucher program and special voucher awards from HUD for 40 Mainstream vouchers (non-elderly disabled, homeless families) and 15 Veterans Assisted Supportive Housing vouchers (disabled, homeless veterans). BCHA administers a Family Self-Sufficiency program that helps families move from the program so we can help another family, and BCHA was a partner in the rehab development of the 56 unit Pearl Place Apartments—11 of the apartments are for BCHA families, and 4 apartments only for disabled and homeless Veterans. BCHA housing payments to landlords will total approximately $1,368,787 to the Boone County economy, about $380 per month to each house, with the tenant paying an average monthly rent of $154.
25% of the BCHA program provides housing assistance for seniors over the age of 62 (the average age is 71).
55% of the BCHA program provides housing assistance for disabled persons (average age is 51).
We thank HUD, and more importantly, Boone County for its care and support to the community. ... See MoreSee Less
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RAMP Disability Resources & Services is seeking a Senior Accountant to join their team and support their mission to build an inclusive community for individuals with disabilities. This critical leadership role will oversee the financial management of their organization with the opportunity for growth to a Director or Officer role.
What They Are Looking For:
• A financial leader with a strong background in nonprofit financial management, grant tracking, and compliance.
• A collaborative team player who can support strategic planning and work closely with the CEO and other department heads.
• A detail-oriented professional with a commitment to accuracy, transparency, and inclusion.
Key Elements of the Job:
• Financial Operations: Oversee daily financial tasks, including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, and grant billing, and ensure all monthly financial reporting meets nonprofit standards.
• Financial Team Leadership: Lead and mentor the finance team, coordinating with internal teams and Board members.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate potential risks, manage insurance policies, and maintain strong internal controls.
• Performance Metrics: Strive for high accuracy in financial reporting and a strong on-time performance for grant and budget submissions.
This position offers a supportive work culture, full benefits, a performance-based work model, and the chance to make a real impact.
Job Location: Position is based out of Rockford RAMP office; hybrid work option.
Starting salary range based on experience: $58,700 - $75,000.
Full job description and benefits viewable via the link: ... See MoreSee Less
Senior Accountant - RAMP (Regional Access & Mobilization Project) - Career Page
ramp.applytojob.com
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Need Social Security information? The Social Security Administration has updated their Monthly Information Package (MIP) repository with new articles. The MIP is a compilation of articles about Social Security programs, services, and initiatives in English and Spanish.
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www.ssa.gov
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List of warming centers in the area. ... See MoreSee Less
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