Frequently Asked Questions

This website provides information and guidance to help you prepare your application, but the application process itself may require paper forms and in-person submission.

Current process:

• Visit our Public Housing or Housing Choice Voucher program pages for specific instructions on how to obtain and submit an application.
• Applications may need to be picked up at the PHA office or requested by phone.
• Completed applications may need to be returned in person during designated office hours.

Check waitlist status:

If you have already applied, you can check your waitlist status using the Waitlist Status Portal. This portal is hosted by a third-party provider and will open in a new window. You will need your Social Security number to look up your status.

Questions?

Contact PHA at (309) 676-8736 for the most current application instructions and to confirm whether the waitlist is open for your program.

You can check your waitlist status using PHA's official waitlist portal:

Check Waitlist Status (opens external site)

Before you go: This link takes you to an external system managed by a third party. The portal will ask for your Social Security number to verify your identity. PHA's main website will never ask for your SSN. Do not share sensitive information through any forms on our website.

If you cannot access the online portal or need help, you can:

• Call us at (309) 676-8736 during business hours
• Visit our office at 100 S. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, IL 61605
• Use our contact form

Keep your contact information current to receive updates about your waitlist position.

Current PHA residents can pay rent and check their account balance through the Tenant Portal.

Tenant Portal

Use the Tenant Portal to:

• View your current balance
• Make a rent payment online
• Review your payment history

This portal is hosted by a third-party provider and will open in a new window. You will need your login credentials to access your account.

Other payment options:

Contact PHA at (309) 676-8736 or visit the office at 100 S. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, IL 61605 to ask about additional payment methods (money order, check, or in-person payment).

Questions about your balance?

If you have questions about charges, credits, or your payment due date, contact your property manager or call the main office. Visit our Residents Rent page for more details about rent policies and assistance.

Keeping your contact information current is important. If PHA cannot reach you when your name comes up on the waitlist, you may lose your place.

How to update your information:

Contact PHA directly to report any changes to your address, phone number, or household composition:

• Call: (309) 676-8736
• Visit: 100 S. Richard Pryor Place, Peoria, IL 61605 during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.)
• Use our contact form: Contact PHA

When you contact us, be ready to provide your name, date of birth, and the program waitlist you are on (Public Housing or Housing Choice Voucher).

Note: This website does not have a self-service portal for updating your waitlist information. Please contact our office directly to make changes.

When a waitlist is closed, PHA is not accepting new applications for that program. Here's what you can do:

• Check Notices for announcements about when the waitlist may reopen.
• Visit the Apply page to see current waitlist status information for each program.
• Call (309) 676-8736 during business hours to ask about current waitlist availability.

Waitlist openings are not on a set schedule and depend on program demand and available units. PHA does not provide estimates for when a waitlist will reopen.

If you are already on a waitlist, your position is not affected when the waitlist closes to new applicants. Keep your contact information up to date so PHA can reach you when your name comes up.

When you apply for housing assistance, you will typically need to provide documents that verify your identity, income, and household composition. Common documents include:

Identification

• Government-issued photo ID for all adults (driver's license, state ID, passport)
• Social Security cards for all household members
• Birth certificates or proof of age for children

Income and Assets

• Pay stubs (recent, usually last 30–60 days)
• Benefit award letters (Social Security, SSI, TANF, etc.)
• Bank statements
• Tax returns (if self-employed)

Other

• Proof of current address (utility bill, lease, etc.)
• Custody documents (if applicable)

The specific documents required may vary by program and your household's situation. Visit our Apply page for program-specific checklists, or contact PHA at (309) 676-8736 to confirm what you need before submitting your application.

Important: Do not send Social Security numbers or sensitive documents through this website. Bring original documents in person or follow instructions provided by PHA staff.

Emergency maintenance issues are problems that pose an immediate threat to health, safety, or property. Examples include:

• No heat (when outside temperature is below 50°F)
• No water or major water leak/flooding
• Gas leak or smell of gas
• Electrical hazard (sparking outlets, exposed wires, power outage in your unit)
• Sewage backup
• Lock-out (after hours only)
• Broken windows or doors that cannot be secured

For life-threatening emergencies, call 911 first.

Who to call after hours

If you have a maintenance emergency after hours, on weekends, or on holidays, call the emergency maintenance line at (309) 213-2418. This line is available 24/7 for urgent issues that cannot wait until the next business day.

For non-emergency maintenance requests during business hours, visit our Maintenance page or call the main office at (309) 676-8736.

Emergency maintenance includes situations that pose an immediate threat to life, health, or property. Examples include:

• Gas leaks or the smell of gas
• Fire or smoke
• No heat in freezing weather
• Flooding or major water leaks
• Electrical hazards
• Sewage backup
• No working toilet (if only one in the unit)

Who to Call After Hours

For emergency maintenance after hours, call (309) 213-2418. This line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for true emergencies only.

For life-threatening emergencies, always call 911 first.

Non-Emergency Maintenance

For non-emergency maintenance requests during regular business hours, visit the maintenance request page or call PHA at (309) 676-8736.

Both programs help low-income families afford safe housing, but they work differently:

Public Housing

• You live in a housing development owned and managed by the Peoria Housing Authority (PHA).
• PHA sets your rent based on your income (generally 30% of adjusted income).
• Maintenance and property management are handled by PHA staff.
• Learn more on our Public Housing program page.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV / Section 8)

• You find your own rental home in the private market with a participating landlord.
• PHA pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord; you pay the remainder.
• The unit must pass a housing quality inspection before you can move in.
• Learn more on our Housing Choice Voucher program page.

Which program is right for you?

Both programs have income eligibility requirements and waitlists that may be open or closed at different times. If you're not sure which program fits your situation, visit our Apply page for guidance or call us at (309) 676-8736.

Voucher portability allows Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) participants to use their voucher to rent housing outside the area where they originally received assistance.

If you have an HCV voucher and want to move to a different city or state, you may be able to "port" your voucher to a housing authority in that area. The receiving housing authority will administer your voucher after you move.

To start the portability process:

1. Contact PHA before you plan to move.
2. You must be in good standing with your current voucher.
3. PHA will coordinate with the receiving housing authority.

For more information about the Housing Choice Voucher program, visit Housing Choice Voucher or contact us to speak with staff about your specific situation.

Peoria Housing Authority (PHA) offers two main housing assistance programs:

Public Housing — Affordable rental housing owned and operated by PHA in developments throughout Peoria County. Rent is based on your income.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A rental assistance program where you find your own housing in the private market, and PHA pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord.

Both programs have income eligibility requirements and may have waitlists. Visit the Apply page to learn how to apply, or call (309) 676-8736 with questions.

Start at the Apply for Housing page and choose the program you are interested in—either Public Housing or Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8). Each program page explains how applications are currently handled, including where to get one and how to submit it.

Application availability and steps can change depending on waitlist status and program requirements. Call the main office at (309) 676-8736 to confirm the current process before visiting.

Need help? Visit our Contact page for phone numbers, office hours, and other ways to reach us.

Note: The waitlist status portal is for checking your place on an existing waitlist—not for submitting a new application.