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Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington (BHA) administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, commonly known as Section 8, to provide low-income households with the opportunity to secure affordable housing in the private market. This program empowers families and individuals to choose from a wide variety of housing options, enabling families to find a home that best suits their needs.

THE HCV Wait List is CLOSED. Current Wait List Applicants will not be issued vouchers until further notice. (As of 07/2025)

Please be advised of the following changes in BHA's Portability Requirements:
If you wish to PORT TO BHA please notify your current Housing Authority that we are BILLING.
If you wish to PORT OUT of BHA, only requests to port to another Housing Authority that is ABSORBING vouchers will be approved due to a shortfall in BHA FUNDING for 2025. Please contact your HCV Specialist if you have questions.

Benefits of Housing Choice Voucher

Affordability

The HCV program makes housing more accessible by ensuring that rent payments are manageable. Tenants contribute 30% to 40% of their monthly adjusted income toward rent at move-in, while the Housing Authority covers the balance. 

Flexibility and Choice

Participants in the HCV program have the flexibility to choose their housing from the private rental market. This means they can find a home that meets their preferences and needs, whether it’s close to work, schools, or other important activities. 

Security and Stability

With the Housing Authority’s rental payments, tenants and landlords alike can enjoy the security of a stable housing arrangement. This stability helps build stronger communities and supports long-term residency. 

Supportive Services

BHA offers additional resources and support to HCV participants, ensuring they have the tools and assistance they need to maintain successful tenancies and achieve greater financial stability. 

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total households

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female head of household

$12,024

median household income

Safe and Affordable Housing That Fits Your Budget and Lifestyle

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program is designed to make affordable housing accessible to you. Payment Standards are an essential part of this process, ensuring that rental assistance is aligned with the local cost of living. Based on HUD’s Fair Market Rents (FMR), these standards reflect the cost of rental units in McLean County, including utilities. Currently, McLean County’s Payment Standards are set at 110% of HUD’s 2024 FMR to better match local market rates.

Payment Standards serve as a crucial starting point in determining how much a family can rent because help ensure that their housing expenses stay manageable, giving them the flexibility to find a home that suits both their budget and lifestyle.

Below are the current Payment Standards for McLean County effective July 2025.

  • 1 Bedroom: $752
  • 2 Bedrooms: $972
  • 3 Bedrooms: $1283
  • 4 Bedrooms: $1289
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Frequently Asked Questions

A federal housing program that provides housing assistance to low-income renters. This assistance comes in the form of rental subsidies, minimizing the monthly rent payment of the assisted recipient. 

Your rent payment is based on income. HUD states that 30% of a household’s income should be for housing (rent portion AND utilities). When initially renting a unit, HUD allows a family to pay up to 40% of its monthly adjusted income.  

For additional Housing Choice Voucher FAQs, visit HUD at:  

https://www.hud.gov/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8 

It varies. Our wait list times are averaging between 18-24 months.

Not currently available.  

No, the applicant is responsible for paying all fees charged by the landlord. This includes security deposits, application fees, maintenance charges, late fees (if the tenant portion is late), etc.

Yes, you can exercise your right to portability any time after the FIRST year of McLean County residency!

1. How do I request portability?

You must contact your current housing authority to see the steps needed to begin the portability process. Some housing authorities may require you to complete a form. Most housing authorities will also require that you are: not currently in a lease or your lease is set to expire soon, do not owe any money to your landlord, and that you have given proper notice to your landlord that you intend to move.

2. How do I contact BHA for Portability Options?

The preferred method to receive portability paperwork is via email to the corresponding case manager listed at the bottom of the page. Fax is 309-820-1140

3. Is BHA billing or absorbing?

BHA is currently billing for all incoming portability requests effective March 2025.

4. What happens when BHA receives my paperwork?

Upon receipt of your portability paperwork, BHA will review it and reach out to you to schedule an in person briefing appointment. You will receive your voucher and all necessary materials to begin looking for a rental. BHA may require additional documentation from you such as current proof of income, assets, proof of identity, etc.

4. How do I request portability to another PHA?

You must complete the Request for Portability form and your intent to vacate form and submit it to the BHA office for review. 

5.What happens once I turn in my form?

BHA will review the form and approve or deny your request.

6. When will you send my paperwork?

Upon approval, BHA will prepare the necessary documents and send it to the receiving PHA. You will be notified via phone or email when this has been completed.

7. My paperwork has been sent. What now?

BHA recommends you wait a couple of days (up to 7-10 business days) after the paperwork has been sent to reach out to the receiving PHA. Once they have received/reviewed your paperwork, they should reach out to you informing you of the next steps in their process. Please be aware that the receiving PHA may require you to attend an in-person appointment at their offices.

Due to the Source of Income Law in Illinois and landlords having to consider all applicants, including voucher holders, we do not have a list of landlords that accept the voucher.  The Source of Income law states that a landlord cannot deny someone because they have the voucher. All applicants must be subjected to and pass, the prospective landlords’ rental criteria to be approved through the landlord, but the landlord cannot say things like “we do not take the voucher” or “no Section 8”. That’s housing discrimination and it’s against the law.  

For more information on the Source of Income Law in Illinois, visit the IDHR page:  

https://dhr.illinois.gov/filing-a-charge/faq-sourceincome.html 

BHA-HCV also accepts referrals (only) for the following special purpose vouchers:

The HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Please contact your local VA Medical Center for assistance.

Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers. Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream vouchers is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program. Please contact your local Center for Independent Living office.

HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER DEPARTMENT

SHELLI GARLAND

HCV Specialist
Last Names: A - G
shellig@bloomingtonha.com

COURTNEE WARFIELD

HCV Specialist
Last Names: H - Q
courtneew@bloomingtonha.com

JORGE OVALLE

HCV Director
Last Names: R - Z
jorgeo@bloomingtonha.com

JOHN LANGLOIS

HCV Inspector
johnl@bloomingtonha.com

GET STARTED TODAY

Discover the possibilities with the Housing Authority of the City of Bloomington. Apply now to find affordable housing, access valuable services, and join a supportive community committed to your success!