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
The Winnebago County Housing Authority (WCHA) is seeking public input on its FY28 Moving to Work (MTW) Supplement to the Annual Plan.
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 […]
...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We were sad to learn of the passing of Patrick Stewart, who shared his talent with us in television, movies, and the stage.
Patrick also shared how public housing was impactful in shaping his life. Born into abject poverty, his family home had only one door to a bare stone room with one bare wood table and four wood chairs. The one window showed a small yard made up of only cinders. There was no kitchen--the fireplace grate was the stove. A shallow sink to the side had one faucet for cold water. Above this room were the two bedrooms, one for his parents, and one that he shared with his brother on the one bed that filled the room. It was all his father, a retired veteran, could afford.
His parents had been on a housing wait list for years for an affordable house when their name was called and they moved into their brand new home, part of the UK's public housing Council Homes developments.
In Patrick's words, "this new house brought about a complete transformation of how we lived. We had a small garden out front and another in the back, and, for the first time in my life, front and back doors. We also had a hallway, a kitchen, a sitting room, two proper bedrooms, and an indoor bathroom, All of these rooms were quite small, but to the three of us, it felt like the lap of luxury."
Patrick wrote this in his autobiography "Making It So," and we remember his words at his passing, where the impact of a decent, safe, affordable home with a garden and two doors is a "complete transformation in how we lived." ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We want to share our congratulations to Christal, who graduated from the NAHRO LEAD Program in October!
LEAD is a designed is designed to strengthen leadership skills for professionals in housing and community development. It focuses on supervision, communication, coaching, team management, performance evaluation, and leveraging employee strengths, and is a year long commitment. Our agency is a proud member of NAHRO, and we thank them for this valuable program that helps develop our nation's housing leaders.
Christal is the Collier Garden Manager, and is transitioning to be the Jobs Plus Coordinator, a program in partnership with The Workforce Connection and Bridges to Prosperity Northern Illinois that helps with ongoing coaching and services to help our residents grow with self-reliance, self-worth, and moving into fulfilling careers that lead into self-sufficiency, making it possible to help the next person on our wait lists. She'll help in creating a difference for Rockford, our communities, and with lives.
Congratulations, Christal! ...
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Sharing this job position from our friends at RAMP!
RAMP is seeking a motivated, self-starter who is passionate about serving and educating youth with disabilities and preparing them for success in competitive integrated employment and independent living. Candidates must be skilled communicators, display the ability to prioritize tasks, and show strengths with organization and attention to detail. RAMP staff members have the privilege of impacting our local communities and advancing the civil rights of people with disabilities—if this excites you, please apply!
We are looking for someone who excels in the following skills and abilities:
• Organization & Schedule Coordination
• Communication – both written and oral
• Planning
• Critical & Forward Thinker
• Attention to detail
• Collaboration
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Willingness to take on variety of tasks/projects
• Excellent computer skills & digital file organization
• Consistent follow through and meets deadlines given
This position will spend a lot of time conducting the following activities:
• Organizing/Planning
• Teaching prepared lessons at area schools
• Meeting with students 1:1 or in small groups toward vocational or independent living goals
• Entering case notes, tracking data
• Encouraging youth with disabilities so that they can become strong self-advocates and realize there are no limits to what they can do
Job Location: Hybrid work opportunity! Home office is located in Rockford, with regular travel within our service area: DeKalb, Winnebago, Boone, and Stephenson counties.
Starting salary range - based on experience: $37,800 – 40,824
(Please note: each salary offer is determined by using a rating scale, which is based off the minimum salary of the range provided).
recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/All/64353a05-1b35-4868-95da-5c43cf58945c/REGIONAL-ACCESS...Sustainable Staffing Inc. ...
REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC - Job Opportunities
recruiting.paylocity.com
REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC Careers Page - View all jobs and opportunities at REGIONAL ACCESS MOBILIZATION PROJECT INC and apply today. | Powered By Paylocity0 CommentsComment on Facebook
HUD launched the Public Housing Authority Accountability Dashboard, giving the public direct access to housing authority performance and funding data.
This is the latest step in the Trump Administration’s work to bring transparency to federal housing programs.
Search by housing authority, state, or nationwide. ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Northern Illinois Landlord AssociationHUD launched the Public Housing Authority Accountability Dashboard, giving the public direct access to housing authority performance and funding data.
This is the latest step in the Trump Administration’s work to bring transparency to federal housing programs.
Search by housing authority, state, or nationwide. ...
1 CommentsComment on Facebook
Join our team! We are hiring for a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Inspector.
Apply: www.indeed.com ...
2 CommentsComment on Facebook
Thank you to all our local media for sharing the news about Jobs Plus program coming to Rockford! And thank you to the Rock River Current for your story.
Work should always pay and with the Jobs Plus HUD grant, residents of Collier Garden will keep more of what they earn when they take a new job or get a raise. Plus, they will receive job training, career counseling, and financial coaching which will help families move forward and beyond housing assistance.
Services launch March 2027 at Collier Garden, in partnership with The Workforce Connection and Bridges to Prosperity Northern Illinois.
Read the full Rock River Current story here: ...
Winnebago County Housing Authority wins $1.6M grant to help residents advance their careers - Rock River Current
www.rockrivercurrent.com
By Kevin Haas Rock River Current Get our free mobile app ROCKFORD — The Winnebago County Housing Authority has won a competitive $1.6 million Jobs Plus grant, which will be used to help residents at...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We're sharing this message from Home For Good. ...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook