Housing Opportunity:
Access to opportunity using Section 8 Vouchers

The federal Section 8 Housing Voucher Program (also known as the Housing Choice Voucher Program) is largest program providing affordable housing for families at the lowest end of the economic ladder. There are about 78,000 housing vouchers in use in Illinois, and 2,000,000 nationally. We have only enough vouchers to provide for 1 out of 3 families who qualify.

The voucher program allows low-income families to take advantage of the private housing market by paying the difference between what a family can afford to pay (30% of their gross income) and the market rate rent. The goal of the program is to allow families to move anywhere there is market rate housing. The reality is families with housing vouchers are concentrated in poor communities with little access to jobs or educational opportunities.

Protestants for the Common Good’s Housing Opportunity Program is designed to strengthen the Section 8 program by removing barriers to mobility – thus allowing families to truly achieve the goal of living where that desire.

The Housing Opportunity Tax Incentive Act is an innovative state law drafted and promoted by Protestants for the Common Good.

• FACT SHEET & FAQ
• In Chicago – CHAC website for Tax Savings Program
• Slideshow showing eligible areas in metro Chicago.