Crest Hill Section 8 Calculator — Will County Income Limits & Rent Estimate
Renters in Crest Hill, IL often search for the Housing Choice Voucher program — commonly called Section 8. Vouchers help very low-income households afford rent in private housing. In this city or town, HUD rules are usually applied through a Public Housing Authority (PHA) serving Will County.
Expanded local guide
Section 8 in Crest Hill — Will County Housing Authority, Waiting Lists & Will County Housing
Local Section 8 guide for Crest Hill and Will County: WCHA vouchers, waiting list status, payment standards, income limits, and estimated tenant rent share.
Updated September 12, 2026
Housing Authority Serving Crest Hill
- Agency: Will County Housing Authority (WCHA)
- Jurisdiction: Will County, Illinois, including Crest Hill
- Waiting list status: Opens periodically; check the official portal
- Application portal: willcountyhousing.org
- Main office: 71 N Ottawa St, Joliet, IL 60432
- Phone: (815) 723-4197
The Will County Housing Authority is the federally designated housing agency for Crest Hill and the rest of Will County, one of Illinois’s fastest-growing counties. Crest Hill is a residential community of approximately 20,000 residents situated between Joliet and Lockport along the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal corridor. WCHA administers federal Section 8 vouchers to help low- and moderate-income households afford quality housing in Will County’s competitive suburban rental market.
Crest Hill’s location near the Joliet Arsenal Business Park, major logistics corridors along I-55 and I-80, and the METRA commuter rail system makes it attractive for working families who need affordable housing within commuting distance of Chicago and suburban employment centers. WCHA works to expand landlord participation in Crest Hill and throughout the county to ensure voucher holders have meaningful housing choices beyond Joliet’s older housing stock.
Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Will County
Will County is part of the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet metropolitan area for HUD income limit purposes, which means the qualifying thresholds are higher than in rural Illinois counties. In 2026, the four-person Very Low Income (50% AMI) limit is approximately $55,450, and the Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) limit is around $33,300. A single-person household qualifies at roughly $38,800 at 50% AMI. Households at or below these thresholds may qualify for the WCHA voucher program.
Fair Market Rents for the Will County area of the Chicago metro in 2026 are: approximately $980 for a studio, $1,150 for a one-bedroom, $1,450 for a two-bedroom, and $1,850 for a three-bedroom. Crest Hill’s rental market is generally priced within 10–15% of these FMRs, and newer apartment developments along Caton Farm Road and Black Road sometimes command slightly above-FMR rents. WCHA’s Payment Standards are set to make most standard Will County apartments accessible.
A household earning $2,500 per month would contribute approximately $750 toward rent, with WCHA covering the balance up to the Payment Standard. In Crest Hill, this subsidy makes two-bedroom apartments feasible for qualifying families, representing a significant reduction from the 40–50% of income many unassisted low-income renters spend on housing.
Run your Crest Hill rent estimate →
How to Apply for Section 8 in Crest Hill
- Visit willcountyhousing.org to check the current waiting list status; WCHA posts announcements prominently when intake periods open.
- Gather your document packet before the list opens: photo ID for all adults 18+, Social Security numbers for every household member, three months of income documentation, and proof of current residency.
- Submit your pre-application online or in person at the WCHA office in Joliet during the enrollment window — demand is high and windows close quickly.
- After submission, keep your application active by notifying WCHA of any changes to income, household size, or mailing address through the applicant portal or by phone.
- When your application is reached, attend the WCHA eligibility interview, complete background and rental history screening, participate in the mandatory briefing, and use your 60–90 day voucher search period to find a qualifying unit.
Waiting List Tips for Crest Hill
- Will County’s Community Development Division and Catholic Charities of Joliet maintain emergency rental assistance funds for residents facing eviction who are awaiting a voucher.
- The City of Joliet Housing Authority operates a separate program — apply there as well to double your chances in the region.
- METRA’s Rock Island and Heritage Corridor lines run near Crest Hill, making it practical to search for units in neighboring Lockport, Plainfield, or Romeoville if Crest Hill options are limited within the Payment Standard.
HUD income limits & Fair Market Rents — Crest Hill
Official HUD figures for Will County (area: Chicago-Joliet-Naperville, IL HUD Metro FMR Area). Local PHA payment standards are often 90–110% of FMR.
Annual income limits (FY 2026)
Very low income (~50% AMI) and low income (~80% AMI) by household size. Section 8 typically prioritizes very low-income households.
| Household size | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $42,550 | $68,050 |
| 2 | $48,600 | $77,800 |
| 3 | $54,700 | $87,500 |
| 4 | $60,750 | $97,200 |
| 5 | $65,650 | $105,000 |
| 6 | $70,500 | $112,800 |
| 7 | $75,350 | $120,550 |
| 8 | $80,200 | $128,350 |
Monthly Fair Market Rents (FY 2027)
Benchmark gross rent (rent + utilities) by unit size. Use the ZIP calculator for Small Area FMRs or an estimated voucher amount.
This area uses Small Area FMRs by ZIP. County-level FMR rows may be blank — use the calculator with your ZIP code.
| Bedrooms | FMR |
|---|---|
| Studio | $1,678 |
| 1 bedroom | $1,780 |
| 2 bedrooms | $2,011 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,586 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,954 |
Source: HUD USER API (income limits & FMR). Educational estimate only; not affiliated with HUD or any PHA. Reference fiscal year: 2026.
Crest Hill Section 8 Rent Calculator & Voucher Estimate
Because Crest Hill may sit in a multi-county HUD area, use our Section 8 rent calculator to check your county, HUD income limits, and estimated tenant rent share before you contact a housing authority.
Calculate Crest Hill rent share & voucherHousing Choice Voucher program
A Section 8 voucher in the Crest Hill area does not pay your full rent. You pay a tenant share (often about 30% of adjusted income), and the voucher covers part of the rent up to the local payment standard, which is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for Will County.
Most PHAs near Crest Hill run waiting lists that open only periodically. Eligibility depends on income, household size, and local preferences — not on applying first online alone.
- Project-based Section 8 — Project-based Section 8 — subsidy stays with specific buildings (different application path).
- Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — Tenant-based vouchers (HCV) — you find a unit; the voucher moves with you in many cases after initial lease-up.
- Local preferences — Local preferences — veterans, elderly, disabled, or working families may get priority on some lists.
Section 8 guides for Crest Hill renters
These guides explain vouchers, income limits, and rent math for households in Crest Hill and across Illinois. Each links to our calculator so you can run numbers for your ZIP.
How Section 8 HAP Is Calculated (Tenant Share vs Owner)
HAP is min(payment standard, gross rent) minus TTP. See family rent to owner, utility reimbursement, the 90–110% FMR band, and what this calculator can and cannot decide.
RentHow Much Section 8 Pays by Bedroom Size
There is no national dollar amount for a 1-, 2-, or 3-bedroom voucher. Family unit size, the PHA payment standard, and your TTP decide HAP — plus the 40% first-lease rule.
PHAFind Your Public Housing Authority (PHA) for Section 8
Learn what a PHA is, how to find the housing authority for your city or county, and where to apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
ApplicationHow to Apply for Section 8 — Waiting Lists & PHA Steps
Step-by-step overview of Section 8 waiting lists, PHA applications, and what to do while you wait for a voucher.
Voucher programHousing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) Explained
What the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is, how PHAs run it, and how vouchers differ from public housing.
RentSection 8 Rent Calculator — How Much Will I Pay With a Voucher?
Estimate your Section 8 tenant share (TTP), payment standard, and maximum voucher subsidy. Includes rent above payment standard examples.
Income limitsSection 8 Income Limits Explained by Household Size
HUD very low and low income limits determine Section 8 eligibility. See how limits vary by ZIP, county, metro area, and family size.
BasicsHow Section 8 Housing Works — Vouchers, PHAs & What You Pay (2026)
How Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work in 2026 — who qualifies, how PHAs issue vouchers, how payment standards are calculated, and exactly what renters pay vs what the subsidy covers.
Apply near Crest Hill
- Confirm income limits with the calculator.
- Find your PHA in our PHA Directory or the HUD contacts tool (Will County).
- Join the waiting list when the PHA opens applications — many lists close for years at a time.
- When selected, find a rental at or below the payment standard and complete inspection.
Ready to apply? Download the PDF application checklist before your appointment.
FAQ — Section 8 in Crest Hill
Can I use Section 8 in Crest Hill, IL?
Many renters in Crest Hill can apply if they meet HUD income limits and the local PHA has an open waiting list. Vouchers are portable in some cases, but you must apply through the housing authority that serves your area — often tied to Will County.
How much rent will I pay with a voucher near Crest Hill?
Your minimum share is the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) — typically the greater of 30% of adjusted monthly income, 10% of gross income, or a small PHA minimum. Use our calculator with your ZIP to see an estimate for Will County.
Where do I apply for Section 8 in Crest Hill?
Applications are handled by your local Public Housing Authority, not this website. Search HUD's PHA contact directory for authorities serving Will County, then follow their waiting list instructions.
Does Crest Hill have its own income limits?
HUD publishes income limits and Fair Market Rents by county or metro area. Crest Hill uses the limits for Will County. Enter your ZIP in our calculator to pull the current HUD figures for your household size.
Do medical bills lower Section 8 rent in Crest Hill?
If your household is elderly (62+) or disabled, HUD may deduct unreimbursed medical costs above 10% of annual income, plus a family allowance. That reduces the adjusted income used for your tenant share (TTP). Run a Crest Hill ZIP in the calculator; the PHA serving Will County decides which receipts count.