INCOME-BASED HOUSING The list accessible via the website link in this profile is a good starting point for those seeking income-based/subsidized housing. Income-based/subsidized housing typically charges approximately 30% of a household's income (if any income) in rent and includes a utility allowance to assist with energy bills. Please note that most income-based/subsidized housing complexes do not require any income. Some complexes include energy in the rent. Income-based housing can either be open to the general public or targeted to specific populations. Populations for which there can be additional income-based housing opportunities are as follows: -Those age 18+ with a disabling condition (this typically could be a physical, mental, or developmental condition). Please note that often a person does NOT need to be receiving SSI or SSDI; they just must have a mental health or medical professional verify that they experience a condition (the apartment complex is not allowed to ask what the condition is). -Those age 18+ with a mobility disability (can often include heart and/or lung conditions). Please note that a person does NOT need to be receiving SSI or SSDI; they just must have a doctor verify that they experience a condition (the apartment complex is not allowed to ask what the condition is). -Those age 50+, 55+, 62+, or 65+, regardless of presence of a disabling condition. ------------------------------------ To view income-based housing options primarily in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Fulton counties, please visit the link in this profile. To view income-based housing options in other areas please use the following resources: *Illinois Housing Search http://www.ilhousingsearch.org OR 877-428-8844---HAS SOME LISTINGS FOR INCOME-BASED/SUBSIDIZED HOUSING *HUD Subsidized Housing Map https://resources.hud.gov Select Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me. You can search by county or city in the top bar. You are then taken to a map of the area you specified with icons. When you click on an icon, it provides more details on the apartment complex, such as the number of bedrooms and contact information for the complex and/or property management company (or the housing authority). Please note that if a complex is listed as being for seniors or the elderly, there is a good chance that they will take younger people with a disabling condition. You can also zoom out to see what is available in surrounding areas. -You are welcome to apply to complexes in as many counties (and states) as you would like (this will often result in faster housing). -This map will also give details on the local housing authorities. The housing authorities typically provide Section 8 vouchers and might also have additional subsidized (income-based) properties that they oversee, regardless of a person having a Section 8 voucher. =========================================== A few other pieces of information that might be helpful: -One-bedroom subsidized apartments will allow two occupants (sometimes there is more flexibility for children), and only the head of household needs to meet the qualifying condition. -To speed up the process, it is recommended to submit applications to at least a few complexes at a time. -All complexes will require ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, and verification of any income. If you need help obtaining these documents, please see below-- *Individuals experiencing homelessness may be able to receive a free ID and birth certificate. Forms for each must be completed with the assistance of a homeless service provider. These forms can be obtained by visiting https://www.chicagohomeless.org/birth-certificate-request-forms and looking under the "Other Illinois Counties Birth Certificates" and "State IDs" sections of the page. You may also call 211 or 309-999-4029 for guidance. If staying at a shelter, shelter staff should also be able to provide the forms. *In addition, First United Methodist Church in Peoria can potentially assist with IDs and birth certificates, regardless of housing status. Assistance is provided on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at 116 NE Perry Ave. Peoria, 61603. No appointment is necessary. If there are any questions, please call 309-673-3641 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. =================================== THE PRIVATE/NON-INCOME-BASED MARKET This approach can be difficult because there is no permanent rental assistance built in. Below are some search tools for getting an idea of rental units available. Sadly, the private rental market is quite chaotic and tracking is very decentralized. Illinois Housing Search: http://www.ilhousingsearch.org OR 877-428-8844 Rent.com: https://www.rent.com Apartments.com: https://www.apartments.com Apartment Guide: https://www.apartmentguide.com Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are also sometimes helpful in locating properties for rent. With all rental listing sites, please exercise caution and do not provide personal information or transfer payment without screening a landlord/property management company. Ask questions and check public records to verify their information. Occasionally, there are groups that can help a person get into a place, but they usually ask that the person has current or prospective (about to start) income. The organizations that can sometimes help (for example, The Salvation Army and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul) get thousands of calls each year for rental assistance. Due to this astronomical demand, they can only help a fraction of the people reaching out. HOI 211 (309-999-4029) tracks those resources in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties. *We have also heard of some landlords working with people on the move-in amount (for example, breaking up a deposit over a few months so the person does not have to come up with everything at once). This is rare, but worth mentioning. ================================ Possible Utility Deposit and Late Fee Waivers (might help when getting into a unit) Ameren now has a program to possibly waive the utility deposit, as well as late fees. There is more information on that here. https://www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance/verify-income-2 ================================

Illinois Housing Search offers home rental listings.

INCOME-BASED HOUSING The list accessible via the website link in this profile is a good starting point for those seeking income-based/subsidized housing. Income-based/subsidized housing typically charges approximately 30% of a household's income (if any income) in rent and includes a utility allowance to assist with energy bills. Please note that most income-based/subsidized housing complexes do not require any income. Some complexes include energy in the rent. Income-based housing can either be open to the general public or targeted to specific populations. Populations for which there can be additional income-based housing opportunities are as follows: -Those age 18+ with a disabling condition (this typically could be a physical, mental, or developmental condition). Please note that often a person does NOT need to be receiving SSI or SSDI; they just must have a mental health or medical professional verify that they experience a condition (the apartment complex is not allowed to ask what the condition is). -Those age 18+ with a mobility disability (can often include heart and/or lung conditions). Please note that a person does NOT need to be receiving SSI or SSDI; they just must have a doctor verify that they experience a condition (the apartment complex is not allowed to ask what the condition is). -Those age 50+, 55+, 62+, or 65+, regardless of presence of a disabling condition. ------------------------------------ To view income-based housing options primarily in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Fulton counties, please visit the link in this profile. To view income-based housing options in other areas please use the following resources: *Illinois Housing Search http://www.ilhousingsearch.org OR 877-428-8844---HAS SOME LISTINGS FOR INCOME-BASED/SUBSIDIZED HOUSING *HUD Subsidized Housing Map https://resources.hud.gov Select Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me. You can search by county or city in the top bar. You are then taken to a map of the area you specified with icons. When you click on an icon, it provides more details on the apartment complex, such as the number of bedrooms and contact information for the complex and/or property management company (or the housing authority). Please note that if a complex is listed as being for seniors or the elderly, there is a good chance that they will take younger people with a disabling condition. You can also zoom out to see what is available in surrounding areas. -You are welcome to apply to complexes in as many counties (and states) as you would like (this will often result in faster housing). -This map will also give details on the local housing authorities. The housing authorities typically provide Section 8 vouchers and might also have additional subsidized (income-based) properties that they oversee, regardless of a person having a Section 8 voucher. =========================================== A few other pieces of information that might be helpful: -One-bedroom subsidized apartments will allow two occupants (sometimes there is more flexibility for children), and only the head of household needs to meet the qualifying condition. -To speed up the process, it is recommended to submit applications to at least a few complexes at a time. -All complexes will require ID, birth certificate, Social Security card, and verification of any income. If you need help obtaining these documents, please see below-- *Individuals experiencing homelessness may be able to receive a free ID and birth certificate. Forms for each must be completed with the assistance of a homeless service provider. These forms can be obtained by visiting https://www.chicagohomeless.org/birth-certificate-request-forms and looking under the "Other Illinois Counties Birth Certificates" and "State IDs" sections of the page. You may also call 211 or 309-999-4029 for guidance. If staying at a shelter, shelter staff should also be able to provide the forms. *In addition, First United Methodist Church in Peoria can potentially assist with IDs and birth certificates, regardless of housing status. Assistance is provided on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at 116 NE Perry Ave. Peoria, 61603. No appointment is necessary. If there are any questions, please call 309-673-3641 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. =================================== THE PRIVATE/NON-INCOME-BASED MARKET This approach can be difficult because there is no permanent rental assistance built in. Below are some search tools for getting an idea of rental units available. Sadly, the private rental market is quite chaotic and tracking is very decentralized. Illinois Housing Search: http://www.ilhousingsearch.org OR 877-428-8844 Rent.com: https://www.rent.com Apartments.com: https://www.apartments.com Apartment Guide: https://www.apartmentguide.com Sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are also sometimes helpful in locating properties for rent. With all rental listing sites, please exercise caution and do not provide personal information or transfer payment without screening a landlord/property management company. Ask questions and check public records to verify their information. Occasionally, there are groups that can help a person get into a place, but they usually ask that the person has current or prospective (about to start) income. The organizations that can sometimes help (for example, The Salvation Army and the Society of St. Vincent de Paul) get thousands of calls each year for rental assistance. Due to this astronomical demand, they can only help a fraction of the people reaching out. HOI 211 (309-999-4029) tracks those resources in Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Fulton, Marshall, Putnam, and Stark counties. *We have also heard of some landlords working with people on the move-in amount (for example, breaking up a deposit over a few months so the person does not have to come up with everything at once). This is rare, but worth mentioning. ================================ Possible Utility Deposit and Late Fee Waivers (might help when getting into a unit) Ameren now has a program to possibly waive the utility deposit, as well as late fees. There is more information on that here. https://www.ameren.com/illinois/residential/energy-assistance/verify-income-2 ================================

Illinois Housing Search can assist people in finding affordable housing that fits their needs.

Advocates for Access provides housing search and information in two ways:
-Acts as a screening agent for individuals and families on Medicaid to be placed on the Statewide Referral Network (SRN) list for subsidized housing. The SRN list allows a person or family to pick several counties, even specific cities, in which they are interested in residing. When an opening becomes available, they are notified and may apply to the housing entity or complex. This is not guaranteed housing but a means to find out about available housing.
-Maintains lists of subsidized and other housing by county (Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, and Fulton), available on the Advocates for Access website

The Central Illinois Agency on Aging can assist older adults in locating housing.