Do you need affordable housing?

We’re Here to Help!

Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing (NI ReACH), 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.

NI ReACH administers programs for both Winnebago County Housing Authority and Boone County Housing Authority.

 

Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing
Review Housing Options

Step 1

Review Housing Options

NI ReACH (Northern Illinois Regional Affordable Community Housing) 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.

Apply Illustration

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
Housing Application Status Illustration

Step 3

Check Your Status

Your number on the wait list is affected by your needs, the needs of others in the community, and the availability of housing. Once your application is processed, you’ll be able to log in to track your status on the wait list.

WHAT YOU NEED:
  • Last Name
  • Last four digits of your Social Security number
Family enjoying their new affordable home

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!

About NIReACH

At Northern Illinois ReACH, 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.

About NIReACH

Lets get social!

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MyAire, a student in one of our homes, was a national art winner with her What Home Means To Me poster in the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials calendar for the month of April.  

MyAire writes Home for me is to have my family together always.  To have a place to sleep, to have food to eat and a place to eat at, to have a place to feel safe, a place where one loves, a place where I can be myself, where everyone sticks together and everyone understands what the next person is going through.  Home is where happiness is.  Home is the most wonderful place ever.  Home is where everyone in the home is a piece of a complete puzzle.

Thank you, MyAire, we are so fortunate to have you in our community.  And congratulations on your winning entry!  And thank you for sharing your talent!

My'Aire, a student in one of our homes, was a national art winner with her "What Home Means To Me" poster in the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Official's calendar for the month of April.

My'Aire writes "Home for me is to have my family together always. To have a place to sleep, to have food to eat and a place to eat at, to have a place to feel safe, a place where one loves, a place where I can be myself, where everyone sticks together and everyone understands what the next person is going through. Home is where happiness is. Home is the most wonderful place ever. Home is where everyone in the home is a piece of a complete puzzle."

Thank you, My'Aire, we are so fortunate to have you in our community. And congratulations on your winning entry! And thank you for sharing your talent!
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Thank you to Gorman & Company and their Illinois Market President Ron Clewer for hosting our December Boone County Housing Authority board meeting at the Pearl Place Senior Apartments in Belvidere.

A $38 million rehab of the historic Pearl School with the original building dating from 1898, Pearl Place is now home to 56 apartments for seniors and the disabled, and retains the historic flavor of the period in which the different sections were built.

Eleven of the units are assisted by the Boone County Housing Authority, and four of the units assist homeless, disabled Veterans and their families in partnership with the Midwest Veterans Administration.  Three of the VA Coordinators from Madison and the Rockford/Boone County program were on hand to tour the site as well.

Thank you to Gorman & Company and their Illinois Market President Ron Clewer for hosting our December Boone County Housing Authority board meeting at the Pearl Place Senior Apartments in Belvidere.

A $38 million rehab of the historic Pearl School with the original building dating from 1898, Pearl Place is now home to 56 apartments for seniors and the disabled, and retains the historic flavor of the period in which the different sections were built.

Eleven of the units are assisted by the Boone County Housing Authority, and four of the units assist homeless, disabled Veterans and their families in partnership with the Midwest Veterans Administration. Three of the VA Coordinators from Madison and the Rockford/Boone County program were on hand to tour the site as well.
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HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Director Rich Monocchio was in Chicago to announce the Family Self-Sufficiency awards for the nation.  Below are the Illinois housing authorities.  WCHA received the third highest award in Illinois, behind only Chicago and Springfield!  Thank you, HUD!  Oh, and below is an archived picture of a FSS family receiving their award from our Board Chairman at the time, Fred Wescott!

And thank you to our FSS Coordinators, Kristin Andrews and Scott Lewis, for your excellent work that makes such a difference to our communities and to so many lives.
 
IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of East St. Louis $79,380  East St. Louis

IL PHA Chicago Housing Authority $1,338,000 Chicago

IL PHA Peoria Housing Authority $209,078 Peoria

IL PHA Springfield Housing Authority $290,329 Springfield

IL PHA Housing Authority of Champaign County $115,000 Champaign

IL PHA Housing Authority of Henry County $130,128 Kewanee

IL PHA Madison County Housing Authority $79,380 Collinsville

IL PHA Rock Island Housing Authority $71,041 Rock Island

IL PHA Moline Housing Authority $65,000 Moline

IL PHA Rockford Housing Authority $230,000 Rockford

IL PHA Housing Authority of Joliet $118,247 Joliet

IL PHA Waukegan Housing Authority $143,077 Waukegan

IL PHA Menard County Housing Authority $106,680 Petersburg

IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of Freeport $75,600 Freeport

IL PHA St. Clair County Housing Authority $65,500 BELLEVILLE

IL PHA Kankakee County Housing Authority $54,510 Kankakee

IL PHA Macoupin County Housing Authority $48,075 Carlinville

IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington $58,883 Bloomington

IL PHA Lake County Housing Authority $250,045 Grayslake

IL PHA Housing Authority of Marion County $89,440 CENTRALIA

L PHA Winnebago County Housing Authority, $269,400 Rockford

IL PHA Housing Authority of Elgin, Illinois $115,906 Elgin

IL PHA DuPage Housing Authority $127,812 Wheaton

IL MFH Foxview Apartments, L.P. $115,906 Carpentersville

FSS Coordinators in each local program build partnerships with employers and service providers in the community to help participants obtain jobs and services. These services may include childcare, transportation, basic adult education, job training, employment counseling, substance/alcohol abuse treatment, financial empowerment coaching, asset-building strategies, household skill training, homeownership counseling, and more.

HUD Principal Deputy Assistant Director Rich Monocchio was in Chicago to announce the Family Self-Sufficiency awards for the nation. Below are the Illinois housing authorities. WCHA received the third highest award in Illinois, behind only Chicago and Springfield! Thank you, HUD! Oh, and below is an archived picture of a FSS family receiving their award from our Board Chairman at the time, Fred Wescott!

And thank you to our FSS Coordinators, Kristin Andrews and Scott Lewis, for your excellent work that makes such a difference to our communities and to so many lives.

IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of East St. Louis $79,380 East St. Louis

IL PHA Chicago Housing Authority $1,338,000 Chicago

IL PHA Peoria Housing Authority $209,078 Peoria

IL PHA Springfield Housing Authority $290,329 Springfield

IL PHA Housing Authority of Champaign County $115,000 Champaign

IL PHA Housing Authority of Henry County $130,128 Kewanee

IL PHA Madison County Housing Authority $79,380 Collinsville

IL PHA Rock Island Housing Authority $71,041 Rock Island

IL PHA Moline Housing Authority $65,000 Moline

IL PHA Rockford Housing Authority $230,000 Rockford

IL PHA Housing Authority of Joliet $118,247 Joliet

IL PHA Waukegan Housing Authority $143,077 Waukegan

IL PHA Menard County Housing Authority $106,680 Petersburg

IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of Freeport $75,600 Freeport

IL PHA St. Clair County Housing Authority $65,500 BELLEVILLE

IL PHA Kankakee County Housing Authority $54,510 Kankakee

IL PHA Macoupin County Housing Authority $48,075 Carlinville

IL PHA Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington $58,883 Bloomington

IL PHA Lake County Housing Authority $250,045 Grayslake

IL PHA Housing Authority of Marion County $89,440 CENTRALIA

L PHA Winnebago County Housing Authority, $269,400 Rockford

IL PHA Housing Authority of Elgin, Illinois $115,906 Elgin

IL PHA DuPage Housing Authority $127,812 Wheaton

IL MFH Foxview Apartments, L.P. $115,906 Carpentersville

FSS Coordinators in each local program build partnerships with employers and service providers in the community to help participants obtain jobs and services. These services may include childcare, transportation, basic adult education, job training, employment counseling, substance/alcohol abuse treatment, financial empowerment coaching, asset-building strategies, household skill training, homeownership counseling, and more.
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Christal Warne, Collier Garden Manager, has moved from Collier to manage our Champion Park, Westcott Homes and Winnebago Homes programs.  We are so grateful for her work at Collier and look forward to her new role helping families.

Rene Myers becomes the Collier Garden Manager.  Christal, Rene and Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services Coordinator Emily Schwartz are in this picture, with the Collier Garden Resident Council giving their good bye and hello.  We are so fortunate to work with such great team members and residents.

Christal Warne, Collier Garden Manager, has moved from Collier to manage our Champion Park, Westcott Homes and Winnebago Homes programs. We are so grateful for her work at Collier and look forward to her new role helping families.

Rene Myers becomes the Collier Garden Manager. Christal, Rene and Resident Opportunities and Supportive Services Coordinator Emily Schwartz are in this picture, with the Collier Garden Resident Council giving their good bye and hello. We are so fortunate to work with such great team members and residents.
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1 CommentComment on Facebook

Congrats to Christal and Rene! Enjoy your new locations and positions! WCHA is lucky to have two excellent team leaders.

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News and Events

The Winnebago Housing Authority (WCHA) (dba NI ReACH) 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 […]

Are you interested in a career in construction and the building trades? Check out the program offerings and eligibility requirements here. For more information, contact Awaken Foundation L3C at 815-683-6009 or awakenfoundationl3c.com

NI ReACH offices will be closed today, Thursday, February 16 at noon due to severe weather. The Winnebago County Housing Authority Board meeting scheduled for this evening is also cancelled.

The Boone County Housing Authority (BCHA) is issuing a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) from property owners to receive Project-Based Voucher (PBV) assistance of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) voucher program utilizing existing housing. The housing must be located within Boone County, Illinois. BCHA’s goals for project basing VASH voucher assistance is to increase […]