States / Illinois / Counties / Winnebago County
Winnebago County, IL — Fair Market Rent & HUD income limits
FY2024 county-level Fair Market Rent for studio through four-bedroom units, HUD Section 8 income limits at 30%, 50%, and 80% of area median income, and the local housing authority that processes vouchers across Winnebago County's small towns and rural communities.
Affordable housing in Winnebago County, Illinois
Winnebago County covers approximately 513 square miles of Illinois. Like most non-metro counties in the United States, the housing market here is dominated by single-family rentals, manufactured-home communities, and small multi-family buildings spread across the county seat and the surrounding small towns. National apartment-search sites focus on metro areas and skip rural counties like this one entirely, which is exactly why this directory exists.
Because HUD sets Fair Market Rent at the county or metropolitan-area level, every town inside Winnebago County uses the same rent ceilings shown on this page — whether you live in the county seat, an unincorporated community, or one of the small incorporated towns. Income limits work the same way: HUD computes one set of 30%, 50%, and 80% AMI tiers for the entire county, then adjusts them by household size.
For more on how HUD calculates these numbers nationally, see HUD User's official Fair Market Rents methodology page.
FY2024 Fair Market Rent — Winnebago County
The maximum gross rent (rent + tenant-paid utilities) the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher will cover here, before exception payment standards.
| Bedrooms | Fair Market Rent (FY2024) | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| 0 / Efficiency | $930 / mo | $11,160 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,060 / mo | $12,720 |
| 2 bedroom | $1,280 / mo | $15,360 |
| 3 bedroom | $1,640 / mo | $19,680 |
| 4 bedroom | $1,930 / mo | $23,160 |
HUD income limits — Winnebago County (FY2024)
Annual gross-income ceilings used to determine eligibility for HUD-subsidized housing programs. Area median income for this county is approximately $104,300.
| Household size | Extremely low (30% AMI) | Very low (50% AMI) | Low (80% AMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $21,900 | $36,500 | $58,400 |
| 2 persons | $24,950 | $41,600 | $66,550 |
| 3 persons | $28,250 | $47,100 | $75,350 |
| 4 persons | $31,300 | $52,200 | $83,500 |
| 5 persons | $33,700 | $56,200 | $89,900 |
| 6 persons | $36,350 | $60,600 | $96,950 |
| 7 persons | $38,750 | $64,600 | $103,350 |
| 8 persons | $41,200 | $68,650 | $109,850 |
Local Public Housing Agency
Winnebago County Housing Authority
PHA agency mergers are common in rural America. Always verify directly with HUD's official PHA contacts directory before mailing an application — that page is the authoritative source HUD itself updates monthly.
How to apply for Section 8 in Winnebago County
The Housing Choice Voucher program is administered locally, not federally. To start an application in Winnebago County, contact Winnebago County Housing Authority directly using the phone number above, or visit HUD's PHA contacts page to confirm the agency's current intake process. Most rural PHAs run open waiting lists year-round; some larger agencies open and close their lists periodically and post the schedule on their websites.
You'll generally need: photo ID for every adult household member, social security cards, birth certificates for children, most recent income documentation (pay stubs, benefits letters, retirement statements), and information about your current living situation. The PHA will calculate your annual gross income, compare it to the income limits above for your household size, and verify household composition before placing you on the waiting list.
What if I'm above the income limit but still struggling with rent?
If your household income exceeds the 80% AMI threshold for Winnebago County ($58,400 for one person, up to $109,850 for an eight-person household), you generally won't qualify for Housing Choice Vouchers. However, USDA Rural Development's Section 502 and Section 504 loan programs, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and weatherization assistance through state energy offices have higher income ceilings and may help. See USDA Rural Development's housing program directory for current options.
Are there project-based affordable apartments in Winnebago County?
In addition to tenant-based vouchers, HUD subsidizes specific privately-owned apartment complexes through programs like Section 202 (elderly), Section 811 (disabled), and Project-Based Section 8. Availability varies widely by county. The local PHA can tell you which specific properties accept project-based subsidies and what their current vacancy and waiting list status is.