Chicago Housing Authority Mobility Counseling

In partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority, HCP works with families that have a Housing Choice Voucher by providing information and resources that support families looking to move to Mobility Areas. These are Chicago Community Areas that are lower poverty, below-median crime rates, and tend to have quality educational and employment choices. Through this program, families can use their subsidy not just to pay the rent, but to improve their lives. Families are given information on housing options throughout the region and support services once a move is made.

First-time voucher recipients, current HCV participants, or families porting in from another housing authority are all eligible to participate in the CHA/HCP Mobility Counseling Program.

See below for full eligibility requirements.

Mobility Areas

Mobility Areas within the City of Chicago are community areas that have less than 20% poverty and lower than average reports of violent crime. Some areas with improving poverty and crime rates that offer job opportunities are included as well.

View a Map of Chicago Opportunity Areas

Mobility Area Address Checking Tool

Enroll in Mobility Counseling

1. Confirm Eligibility

To be eligible for the Housing Choice Partners/CHA Mobility Program, you must:

Have your voucher and moving papers from the CHA;
Have at least one child in your household age 16 or younger;
Have at least 45 days remaining on your voucher;
Be in good standing with CHA and your current landlord.

Please call Housing Choice Partners on (312) 386-1009 if you aren't sure what kind of voucher you have or if you have any questions about your eligibility.

2. Sign up for a New Participant Orientation

All participants must attend an orientation to enroll in the program.

Orientations are usually held at HCP's downtown offices, which are easily accessible by CTA "L" Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple, and Brown lines.

228 S. Wabash Ave, Suite 500 Chicago, IL 60604

Orientation schedules vary each month. One-on-one orientations are available, as needed and based on staff availability. Call (312) 386-1009 to enroll.

To enroll, click here to fill out our

Mobility Counseling Intake Form.

As soon as we receive your completed form, you will be contacted via phone to set up your orientation.

3. A Mobility Counselor will be assigned to you

Mobility Counselors work with families to locate a unit in an "Mobility Area" that fits the family's housing and community needs. Families work with their Mobility Counselor through all steps of the leasing process and after moving to transition into their new community.

4. Take advantage of other program benefits!

Assistance in locating community resources and enrolling children in school
Community tours and unit search assistance
Up to $500 to be used toward a security deposit or move-in fee
Support and mediation of any problems during leasing, move-in, or afterward
Assistance in enrolling your Landlord in the Illinois Housing Opportunity Area Tax Abatement Program*

*The Illinois Housing Opportunity Area Tax Abatement Program allows landlords/building owners to decrease the property taxes of units leased to HCV holders up to 19 percent for up to ten years. Units must be located within state-designated Opportunity Areas and must be in compliance with all applicable local building codes. Be sure to mention this to landlords when searching for housing.

Landlords interested in participating in the program can contact our Real Estate Specialist, Jessie McDaniels at (312) 386-1009 ext. 202 to find out how you can add your units to our list.