CHAC

CHAC is a private company in a unique partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority to administer the Housing Choice Voucher Program, formerly called Section 8. CHAC assumed control of program operations in December 1995. CHAC has won numerous awards: 26 from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) for administrativ... e and program innovation and 7 from HUD in the Best Practices category. Participating families pay between 30 - 40% of their monthly income toward rent and CHAC pays the remainder directly to the property owner. CHAC's monthly payment to the owner is called a Housing Assistance Payment or HAP check. CHAC employs more than 300 dedicated people. Over 15,000 property owners participate in the Chicago Housing Choice Voucher Program. CHAC distributes approximately $25 million in rent subsidies to property owners each month. More than 34,000 families receive assistance under the programdouble the number when CHAC assumed program operations in 1995. On average, 127 families use their voucher program each month to move from Chicago to another city. On average, 101 families use their voucher program each month to move from another city to Chicago. CHAC offers the following services for families with vouchers: Resource Center: Opened in 1999. CHAC's award-winning Resource Center located in CHAC's lobby area gives both families and owners access to more than 3,000 resourcesfrom day care and training programs to financing for rehab projects and property management courses. Serves an average of 1,000 people monthly. Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS): Started in 1996. A five-year program for families with vouchers that helps families set goals, then works with the household to identify resources to help them reach their goals. Attractive features include an escrow savings account and individual counseling. Currently, there are over 1,500 families in FSS with more than $2.8 million in escrow accounts. Housing Opportunity Program: Assists family in making informed choices ...Read More