This is a copy of the email Rick sent to staff.
Everyone,
Here is an important note from Kathy Nicola at Eisenhower about Section 8 Housing in Cook County. The upshot is that there is no current application process.
Rick
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Good morning, all.
Spring is in the air! Trees are budding, birds are singing, flowers are starting to poke their little heads up. And rumors about the availability of Housing Choice Voucher applications are flying thick and fast. We've received several calls this week from patrons claiming to have heard that libraries will be getting Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) applications on Friday.
Short version: It ain't so.
I've spoken this morning with service representatives at both the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) and the Chicago Housing Authority Corp. (CHAC), who assured me that the following -- and only the following -- is true:
- The waiting lists of both organizations remain closed.
- There is no evidence or expectation that either list will be opening anytime soon.
- Application forms are not being sent to libraries.
- Application forms are not being made available anywhere else, either, because they are not currently being accepted for consideration.
- It is also not true that you have to pay $8 (or any amount) to download an application form from the Housing Authority Web site (either organization).
The rep from CHAC did give me a phone number (312-786-3676) that patrons can call for automated information about future openings in the Chicago program. Note! -- and be sure to emphasize to patrons when you give them the number, that it pertains to the Chicago Housing Authority program *only*. Also, for your info, note that the phone number on the CHA's Web site has changed. The correct current number is 312-935-2600.
If patrons insist on a number for HACC, the main number is 312-663-5447. Be aware that they are receiving a virtual tsunami of calls; I spent a solid hour-and-a-half on hold. (On the plus side, their "hold" music is very pleasant to do paperwork by!)
There ya have it. Good luck!
Kathy