Affordable Housing
Hi Neighbor! Welcome to the affordable housing information page. Here, you’ll find resources surrounding affordable housing in the City of Chicago and the 46th Ward.
Chicago Housing Locator
The Chicago Housing Locator is a tool from the Mayor’s Office for renters looking for affordable housing. You can search by zip code, income level, desired rent, and more! The page also has access to additional resources through the Mayor’s Office’s Housing Resource Guide. To access the housing locator, click below!
Chicago Housing Search
Chicago Housing Search is a non-city, community-run website dedicated to promoting available section 8 housing for the whole of Chicago! It provides a full list of all available section 8, alongside information about section 8 and CHA.
Chicago Housing Authority (CHA)
The Chicago Housing Authority is the official public housing provider in the City of Chicago. CHA owns and manages senior housing, low income housing, section 8 housing, and more across the city.
The 46th Ward is home to countless CHA Senior Buildings, LGBTQIA+ Friendly Buildings, and Scattered Sites what we are proud to have serving our neighborhood.
High demand means that CHA waitlists can be long. Our office highly recommends contacting CHA as soon as possible to get on their housing waitlist
Affordable Requirements Ordinance (ARO)
The Affordable Requirements Ordinance is a part of the Chicago Municipal Code which requires certain newly constructed buildings to make 10% of their units income-based affordable housing.
What is the Point of the ARO?
The ARO is a form of Inclusionary Zoning which ties affordable homes to private development. ARO requires new developments with more than 10 units to make between 10% and 20% of their units affordable to individuals who fall under the Area’s Median Income (AMI).
What kind of buildings are part of the ARO?
All new developments with more than 10 units built after 2021 are subject to ARO, meaning that new developments also bring new affordable housing!
46th Ward ARO Housing E-Mail List
ARO units can sometimes be hard to come by, and even harder to find out about. Since our ward office has the resources to know when ARO units will become available, we created the 46th Ward ARO Mailing List. This list lets us know who in the neighborhood is looking for neighborhood Affordable Housing so we can send you an email and give you a call when applications for ARO units open so you can be the first one to apply!
PLEASE NOTE- THIS IS NOT A GUARENTEE AT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. This is a signup for a reminder email and phone call when ARO Applications become available!
Other Housing Resources
Not quite what you’re looking for? Reach out to these organizations in our community to get assistance with your housing needs! If you still aren’t satisfied, come in to our office or give us a call so we can accomodate your housing needs more directly.
Case Management
Nourishing Hope
3945 N Sheridan Rd.
(773) 525 - 1777
Walk-ins - Mon, Wed, Fri: 11am-1pm
Connects people to in-house assistance and resources such as public benefits, financial, transportation, employment, mental health, wellness, and housing.
Northside Community Resources
1530 W. Morse Ave.
(773) 338 - 7722
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Mission to build and strengthen communities among the diverse populations of Chicago’s North Side. Services: Small accessibility repairs for seniors, housing program, multicultural resource program, senior services, and fair housing program.
Legal Services
Law Center for Better Housing
100 N LaSalle St. Room 2500
(312) 347 - 7600
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Provides free legal and supportive services to help low and moderate income renters in the private housing market avoid eviction, address substandard housing conditions, and stabilize their homes.
Legal Aid Chicago
120 S LaSalle St. Rm 900
(312) 341 - 1070
Mon-Fri: 8:45am-5pm
Provides free representation in civil legal matters for clients who lack the resources to hire an attorney on their own.
Uptown People’s Law Center
1530 W. Morse Ave.
(773) 338 - 7722
Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm
Mission to build and strengthen communities among the diverse populations of Chicago’s North Side. Services: Small accessibility repairs for seniors, housing program, multicultural resource program, senior services, and fair housing program.