Landlords and the DeKalb County Housing Authority as Partners
DeKalb County Housing Authority provides rent subsidy payments to owners and landlords of privately owned rental units through its Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). The agency administers the voucher program and determines whether tenants are eligible. The units are managed and leased by their owners, who screen tenants for suitability.

The program does not place exact limits on the amount of rent a landlord can charge, but rents must be comparable to rents for similar, unassisted units.

Tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers allow voucher recipients to choose and rent units from private landlords and owners. If you are a landlord in good standing with the DeKalb County Housing Authority and have units within DeKalb County, you are encouraged to participate.

The Authority pays a fixed amount of the rent to the landlord each month. The tenant pays the difference between this subsidy and the total rent, in addition to any utilities not included in the rent directly to the landlord each month. In general, tenants pay at least 30 percent—but no more than 40 percent—of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities.

The program does not place limits on the amount of rent a landlord can charge, but rents must be comparable to similar units that are not assisted by a subsidy.  Landlords may raise a families rent after a tenant's first full year of occupancy, subject to a reasonable rent comparison, and with a 60-day notice to the Authority.

Owner participation in the program is voluntary; however, the owner may not discriminate against any prospective tenant of the basis of race, creed, color, sex, religion, national origin or familial status.

The owner is responsible for screening and selecting a family for tenancy. We certify that the family is eligible to receive program assistance, but the owner must screen for suitability. We do not screen applicants’ previous rental history. We strongly encourages landlords to screen prospective tenants using generally the same procedures used for non-subsidized families such as credit, employment, criminal background, landlord references, etc.

In accordance with HUD requirements, we will furnish property owners with the family’s current address, and if known to, the name and address of the landlord at the family’s current and prior address.

 

There are many benefits to being a Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Participant:

• Every month you receive part of each voucher holder's rent from the DeKalb County Housing Authority. These housing assistance payments arrive at the same time every month and are directly deposited to your account. The payments help low-income families afford decent housing while providing you with a dependable source of income.

• It offers flexibility and stability to landlords. If a tenant's income unexpectedly drops, the Authority can reduce the tenants portion of the rent and increase the Authority’s paid portion. This helps assisted families miss fewer payments and maintain stable tenancies.

• It will help maintain property value.  Housing inspections help owners identify and fix problems with units. By ensuring that units are kept in good condition, the program improves tenants' quality of life and helps you protect your investments.

• We help landlords with occupancy by advertising vacant and available units.  While the Authority cannot refer tenants to specific buildings, the agency does help tenants find housing by maintaining lists of units available for rent in DeKalb County.  You may list as many units as you wish, free of charge.

Rental Units
Participating landlords may advertise rental units for free.  Please note that only units within DeKalb County will be listed.  To submit a rental listing:

• You can email your unit information (photos are appreciated too) by sending the details to requests@dekcohousing.com. 

• By fax to 815.758.4190

• By mail to DeKalb County Housing Authority, 310 N. 6th Street, DeKalb, IL 60115

• By Phone at 815.758.2692 x. 121

• You must include:

  • Number of bedrooms

  • Type of unit (House, Apartment, Duplex, Condo, Townhouse, Other)

  • Date available

  • Is the unit handicap accessible?

  • Deposit

  • Monthly Rent

  • Amenities and other necessary information, such as utilities the tenant will be responsible to pay.

  • Contact person and Phone number

  • Your name

  You will only be contacted by the Authority if there are problems with your submission.  If you successfully rent a unit and would like your listing removed, please contact us at 815.758.2692 x. 121, or by fax, e-mail or mail.