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P.S. As of 2025, Going Places is delivered exclusively via email. You are receiving this e-newsletter because your email address is on file for your account. If you know of an HCV participant family who is not receiving Going Places, it's most likely because they don't have an email address on file. We hope you'll encourage them to contact CHA and add a personal email to their account. Just remember, if possible, any email on file should belong to the voucher holder, since CHA also uses it for sensitive account-related information.

The Department of Buildings enforces the Chicago Building Code. This includes the Chicago Heat Ordinance, which mandates that during cold-weather months, property owners and managers must supply heat to rental units or to any unit where occupants do not have individual control of heat.

From September 15 – June 1, the temperature inside a rental residence is required to be at least 68 degrees from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and at least 66 degrees from 10:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

A property owner/manager can face fines up to $500 per day, per violation for each day they do not supply adequate heat. The reason for the lack of heat does not matter ... property owners/managers must follow the law and residences must be heated regardless.

If you don’t have adequate heat in your unit or no heat at all, you may file a complaint using 3-1-1. The Department of Buildings will investigate and take appropriate action. As always, to report an immediate danger to yourself or others, call 9-1-1.

With cold weather coming up, exterior repairs can be difficult to make. This is why CHA grants Weather-Related Extensions for most inspections (initial inspections are the exception), allowing additional time for exterior repairs to be made. Weather-Related Extensions are only granted between November 1 and March 15 when weather prevents property owners from correcting certain exterior violations.

CHA considers Weather-Related Extensions on a case-by-case basis and only if:

• The exterior repair does not endanger the health or safety of the tenant, and
• The unit does not have any other inspection violations, or
• The unit passes all interior fail items before the extension is requested.

To learn more about the Chicago Heat Ordinance, visit chicago.gov/heat. 

Did you know there are legal regulations that govern notices for rent increases? Property owners in the City of Chicago must provide a certain amount of notice for rent increases, as required by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). It all comes down to how long the tenant has resided in the unit:

• If the tenant has resided in the unit for 3 years or less, the property owner must notify the tenant 60 days prior to the desired effective date of the increase.
• For tenants who have lived in the unit for more than 3 years, a 120-day notice is required.

This requirement of the Chicago RLTO applies to all units (there are no exceptions for owner-occupied multi-family properties). Visit chicago.gov/housing for more information about the Chicago RLTO and how it governs rental property.

RENTCafé Tips: How to Complete an Interim Request

To get started, all you need is a computer, smartphone or tablet, and a strong internet connection. It only takes a few simple steps to submit an Interim Re-Examination request online:

1. Visit res-par.thecha.org and click on "Resident Login".
2. Once registered (if you haven't done so already) and logged in, you'll have access to report any household changes by clicking the “Interim Request” tile on your RENTCafé dashboard, then clicking the “Interim Re-Examination Request” button.
3. Follow the steps, complete all required fields and upload documents, as needed.

Unsure whether or not you need to request an Interim Re-Examination? Contact CHA at 312-935-2600 or hcv@thecha.org to ask! Common examples include loss of employment (income change), increase or decrease in work hours (income change), a new baby is born and will be residing in the unit (family composition change), or a household member is moving out to go to college (family composition change).

When completing your Interim request on RENTCafé, remember to upload all your supporting documentation as this is key to processing your request! All documents should be dated within 60 days of the request.

CHA is currently working on policy updates to ensure full implementation of HUD's new inspection model — National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, otherwise known as NSPIRE — by early next year.

As a reminder, several new inspection standards are already in place (as of April 1, 2026), including those for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, bathtub/shower components, wall conditions, and security. See the Q2 2026 issue of this newsletter for details.

Stay tuned ... more information about what is changing will be shared in the coming months. In the meantime, to review the current requirements, download the February 2026 edition of the CHA Inspection Guidebook.

Did you know CHA has a program that offers support to individuals and families participating in the HCV Program who may be facing challenges affecting their mental health? Launched in June 2022, CHA’s HCV Health and Wellness Program provides individual and family therapy, case management and care coordination, and can help participants find general resources for their basic needs. The services are free and available to anyone listed on the voucher and living in the home, starting at age 6. No insurance is required.

To connect with a member of the HCV Health and Wellness Program team, email clinicalsupport@thecha.org or call 312-935-2634. Make sure to include your name and voucher number in your message. If you are NOT an active HCV participant but would like to refer someone who is, please email fairhousing@thecha.org.

With the often overwhelming demands of everyday life, self-care has become an essential part of our day-to-day to help maintain balance and an overall sense of well-being. Making time for yourself is vital when juggling work, family, school, and personal commitments. Check out the tips below for meaningful ways to incorporate self-care into your routine, no matter how busy things get.

Know when to say "No." Practice saying no when you’re overloaded, as constant overload increases stress, drains energy, and can lead to burnout. Saying no to additional plans and commitments also supports healthy boundaries. When you clearly communicate limits, others learn to respect your time, energy, and capacity.

Practice breathing exercises. Breathing exercises activate the body’s relaxation system and increase emotional regulation. Try inhaling for four (4) seconds and exhaling for six (6) seconds to practice a simple breathing exercise.

Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep is one of the strongest foundations of your physical, mental, and emotional well‑being. It strengthens cognitive function and improves focus, memory, decision-making, and problem-solving, making it easier to handle everyday tasks.

Do something you love. Whether it’s reading, cooking, or watching your favorite show, hobbies and passions help reconnect you with your identity and creativity.

HCV Participant Webinar: Navigating Disability, Hardship, and Safety Accommodations in the HCV Program
Tuesday, September 22, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Click Here to Register

CHA can make modifications to its policies, procedures, or properties to help ensure equal access to the HCV Program. Whether you’re experiencing a temporary or permanent disability, financial hardship or situations involving domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, CHA offers accommodations to support your needs. Join us to discover the full range of accommodations available and learn how to request assistance that can make the HCV Program more accessible to you.

HCV Participant Bootcamp @ the Sulzer Regional Library
Tuesday, September 29, 12:15 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Click Here to Register

This in-person event will provide you with a high-level overview of the HCV Program. We’ll cover how to find the right unit for your needs, key forms and how to submit them correctly, what CHA looks for during an inspection, and how to navigate HCV Program rules and compliance expectations.

To view the full list of upcoming events, visit thecha.org/hcvparticipantevents.

Webinar topics include:

• How to Search for Housing
• Education & Employment
• Tenants' Rights
• RENTCafé
• And more!

Click here to take advantage of all the educational resources that are available in the HCV Webinar Library.

If you liked this newsletter, or have topic suggestions for newsletter articles or webinars, reply to this email and let us know.

Looking for past editions of Going Places? Find them under the HCV Resources menu on your RENTCafé dashboard at res-par.thecha.org.

Chicago Housing Authority | 60 E. Van Buren Street | Chicago, IL 60605