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Note from Chief HCV Officer, Cheryl L. Burns
Cheryl Burns Photo

Welcome to Owner News, CHA's bi-monthly e-newsletter. We hope you are enjoying the format and find the information useful as you navigate the ins and outs of the HCV Program. Each issue includes a short how-to, an answer to a common question and a timely program reminder ... plus links to news you may have missed and helpful resources.

How-to: Submit an RTA Packet on the HCV Owner Portal 
HCV Owner Portal Upload My RTA Screenshot

Did you know existing HCV property owners and managers must submit new Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packets on the HCV Owner Portal? 

If you are new to the HCV Program (don't currently have a Vendor #), you must submit RTA packets via email to ownerinfo@thecha.org. However, if you already have a Vendor # and are looking to lease up a new HCV tenant, simply follow these four easy steps!

Step 1:
Visit chahcvportal.org and log in to your Owner Portal account.

Step 2:
Click 'Moves' within the site menu and select 'Upload My RTA' from the drop-down list.

Step 3:
Select the appropriate Vendor account from the drop-down menu and complete all fields using information directly from the RTA, including Voucher #, Tenant Name, Unit Address, City, State, ZIP Code and Requested Rent. If you’re not sure what the Voucher # is, double-check the RTA or contact the tenant as this is a key piece of information needed to process the packet.

Step 4:
Upload the complete and accurate RTA packet, along with any supporting documentation, and click the 'Submit' button to finish.

Note: If there’s already a pending RTA packet submission associated with the Voucher # you entered, an error message will appear and the RTA packet you are attempting to upload will not be accepted. To ensure a timely and efficient move, make sure to review your submission carefully and/or reach out to the tenant to confirm any relevant information.

Not registered for an HCV Owner Portal account yet? It's easy! Click here for help with creating an account as well as other HCV Owner Portal FAQs.

FAQ Corner: Getting Ready for Winter 
Image of icicles on a tree branch

Property owners often ask ... "What steps can I take to make sure my property is prepared for winter weather?" Here are a few tips to help!

Inspect the Roof
Remove any debris such as twigs or trash. Check for any loose or missing shingles. Clean out the gutters and downspouts as this ensures any melted snow can flow properly.

Talk to your Tenants about Pipe Maintence
There are steps your tenants can take to help prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Keeping a small trickle of cold water dripping from faucets and opening cabinet doors in the kitchen and bathroom to help heat circulate to pipes can help prevent pipes from freezing. If subzero temperatures are expected, touch base with your tenants to ensure they’re taking proactive measures.

Install Insulation
Not only does insulation help with heat flow and reducing the costs of utility bills, it can help prevent harmful pollutants, allergens and chemicals from entering the property. In addition to windows and doorways, it’s also important to insulate your pipes. This can help prevent them from freezing and bursting during subzero temperatures.

Have a Plan for Managing Ice and Snow
Removing ice and snow in a timely matter can help prevent property damage and create a safe environment for your tenants. There are many companies that offer snow removal services in Chicago. Hardware stores will also likely carry snow removal equipment such as snow blowers, shovels, ice melt and ice scrapers.

Ensure the Unit Heat Works Properly
Check your furnace and make sure your property has adequate heat before the winter season begins. As a reminder, the Chicago Heat Ordinance mandates that 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.

Program Reminder: Tax Savings Applications Due December 15 

If your property is located in a census tract with a poverty rate below 12%, you may be eligible for CHA's HCV Tax Savings Program! Click here for more information as well as a link to the application.

If eligible, make sure you complete and submit the HCV Tax Savings Program Application (for the 2025 tax year) no later than December 15, 2025.

Note: Once completed, the application must be notarized and mailed to the CHA address listed on the first page (mail the original and keep a copy for your records). Applications are not accepted by email or fax.

Health & Wellness Corner: Breast Cancer Awareness Month 

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide with more than 2 million diagnosed each year. Breast cancer awareness month is dedicated to supporting those who have been diagnosed, encouraging regular breast cancer screenings and educating about the associated risk factors. This year’s theme is ‘Every Story is Unique, Every Journey Matters’, highlighting how every breast cancer diagnosis is personal and touches the lives of women and their families differently.

Certain factors increase the risk of breast cancer, such as family history, increasing age and history of radiation exposure. Medical experts recommend that women go for regular breast cancer screenings starting at age 40.

For more information, including ways to support loved ones who have been diagnosed as well as guidance on screening and testing, visit breastcancer.org.

Upcoming Events  

Home Safety: How to Improve the Quality of Your Home
Tuesday, November 4, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Are you looking to improve the level of safety in your home? Join us to learn how to promote a healthy home and eliminate hazardous materials such as lead, pests, mold and more. This session will also cover how to make sure your home is prepared when it comes to any damaging effects of weather. 

OS25 Webinar Series: Home Improvement 101
Thursday, November 6, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Conducting property maintenance can be stressful and costly but we’re here to help you streamline the process and create the ultimate maintenance checklist. From small repairs to major projects, we’ll discuss maintenance tips and tricks that will keep both your wallet and your tenants happy. 

OS25 Webinar Series: How to Successfully Run Your Property Like a Business
Thursday, December 4, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Your rental property is a business … so you should treat it like one! Join us to learn how to optimize your property’s profitability and how factors such as tenant retention, marketing and expense management can help set your rental business up for success. 

Chicago City Services
Tuesday, December 9, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Did you know rodent control, forestry and graffiti removal are some of the services provided by the city of Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS)? Join us to learn more about all the critical services the Department provides and how its team of over 2,000 can help improve your community. 

That's a Wrap on the 2025 CHA Owner Symposium! 

Whether you joined us in person at CHA Headquarters or viewed the sessions online, thank you to everyone who took part in celebrating 16 years of education and networking. We hope you enjoyed all that this year's Owner Symposium had to offer.

If you missed any of the OS25 sessions or just want to watch them again, on-demand viewing is now available. Click here to access the LiveStream recording. And, if you want to follow along, make sure to visit the Event Schedule for links to the session slides as well as other information that was shared during the event. 

We’re already looking forward to 2026 and will reach out once we have more details about our next event. Until then, be safe, be well, and take care!

Audience Photo from the 2025 CHA Owner Symposium

Resources for Property Owners 
Photo of a staff meeting in a conference room

HCV Webinars are available on-demand!

Dozens of recorded sessions are available for you to watch anytime, including: Equitably and Suitability: Understanding the Tenant Screening Process, Lease Writing 101, Communication and Mediation: The Key to Having a Healthy Relationship with Your Tenant and many, many more!

We want to hear from you! Especially if you’ve never attended one of our educational sessions before ... please take a minute to share what you'd like to see from HCV education and events.
TAKE THE SURVEY

Have leasing-related questions, or want to request a 1:1 consultation? The HCV Owner Outreach team is here to help. Email owneroutreach@thecha.org. ¡También ofrecemos estos servicios en español!

In Case You Missed It:

CHA and the Federal Government Shutdown
Officials Break Ground for Illinois Quantum Campus at Old US Steel Plant Site on South Side
City Will Not Be Plowing Sidewalks Anytime Soon As Measure Fails In Council

Photo of a stack of books
HCV Online Resources to Bookmark

Affordability Calculator (for non-Mobility area units): chahcvportal.org under the 'Moves' menu.

Search the interactive Mobility Area Map: thecha.org/mobility and scroll to the bottom.

Add comparable units to CHA's rent reasonableness database: AffordableHousing.com (free account required), log in and click 'Comparables' in the left-hand menu.

View/download HAP Statements or submit a rent increase request: chahcvportal.org under the 'Finance' menu.

Thanks for Reading  

We appreciate your continued partnership! 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 Owner News? Find them on the HCV Owner Portal at chahcvportal.org, under the 'Resources' menu.

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

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