CHA’s website features a variety of resources that can help guide you as an HCV property owner or manager!

To get started, visit CHA's website at thecha.org. From the main site menu, click Property Owners and select Property Owner Support from the drop-down list. Then, click Property Owner Resources (either at the top of the page or within the page menu) to access the full array of available resources.

On this page, you will find information about upcoming events, including HCV webinars, the 2026 Owner Symposium and the OS26 Webinar Series. There is also a forms and documents section that includes essential materials for completing HCV business, such as the HCV Change of Ownership/Management Packet and HCV Tax Savings Application, a guides and videos section and an Owner News section with links to past issues of this newsletter. New tools are added as they become available, so make sure to bookmark the Resources for Property Owners page for future reference!

Property owners/managers often ask ... "What is the HCV Owner Portal and how can I use it to manage my rental properties?”

The HCV Owner Portal is a mobile-friendly account management tool that allows HCV Program property owners and managers the ability to handle key HCV tasks digitally. Here’s a breakdown of some of its features:

Account Management
Update your contact information, view your HCV units, list any unit vacancies and enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Need help enabling your 2FA on your HCV Owner Portal account? Check out our 2FA Instruction Guide. 

Inspections
View inspection results and upcoming inspection appointments, and pay any re-inspection fees.

Finance
View Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) statements, request and track rent increase requests, view abatements and 1099s, and change direct deposit information.

Did you know rent increase requests can only be submitted on the HCV Owner Portal? Once you select ‘Request a Rent Increase’ and read through the criteria, Adobe Sign will launch with a fillable Rent Increase Request form.

Moves
Upload Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet(s), track your moves with the Moves Tracker, and use the Affordability Calculator tool to see if the Asking Rent for your unit is affordable for a specific HCV participant family.

Resources
Download HCV Program forms and documents, read current and past issues of Owner News, find links to upcoming events, local government information, and public records.

As long as you are an HCV property owner or manager with at least one vendor number, you are eligible to create an HCV Owner Portal account. Looking to create an account? Visit chahcvportal.org and click the Sign Up button on the bottom left of the screen.

Need to troubleshoot your account? Contact our Owner Services Department at ownerinfo@thecha.org for assistance or check out our HCV Owner Portal FAQs. 

CHA's Office of the Inspector General (OIG) ensures that violations, as they relate to CHA residents, employees, contractors, subcontractors or any entity receiving funds from CHA, are investigated and prosecuted.

As an HCV housing provider, if you have any information regarding fraud in your dealings with tenants, CHA employees, or CHA contractors, you are encouraged to report this information to the OIG. Immediate reporting, while facts are still fresh in your mind, is helpful. Complaints can be kept confidential.

If you have any information relating to fraud or unethical activity within or affecting the Chicago Housing Authority, please file an anonymous complaint online, or contact the OIG at fraud@thecha.org or 800-544-7139.

Did you know an HCV participant's voucher size may not necessarily dictate the size of the unit they lease? It all comes down to affordability. If the participant family chooses a unit larger than the one indicated on their voucher, CHA will use the Payment Standard and Utility Allowance for the unit size designated on the voucher. However, if the participant family chooses a unit smaller than the one indicated on their voucher, CHA will use the Payment Standard for the unit size designated on the voucher and Utility Allowance for the actual unit size.

For example, the Smith family has a 4-bedroom voucher:

• If they choose a 4-bedroom unit or larger, CHA will calculate the subsidy using the 4-bedroom Payment Standard and Utility Allowance, despite the unit’s actual size.
• If they choose a 3-bedroom unit or smaller, CHA will calculate the subsidy using the 4-bedroom Payment Standard, but the Utility Allowance for the unit’s actual size.

For more information on how CHA uses the Payment Standard and Utility Allowance for calculations, see pages 26-30 in the HCV Property Owner Guidebook.

Health & Wellness Corner: Self-Care Tips

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.

Property Owner Bootcamp @ the FIC
Thursday, August 20, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. |  Register Now

Join us, in person at the FIC, to learn the ins and outs of the HCV Program, including how to get started, how rent is determined, what to expect during CHA‑conducted inspections, and how program enforcement works. Whether you’re new to the HCV Program or looking to strengthen your understanding, this session will give you a clear overview of each step in the process

OS26 Webinar Series: Affordable Housing 101
Thursday, September 3, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Join us to learn the fundamentals of affordable housing, including common program types, income qualifications, compliance basics, and more. We’ll also discuss the roles of housing providers and government agencies in these programs.

OS26 Webinar Series — Get to the Next Level: Power Up Your Portfolio
Thursday, October 1, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

This session will walk you through the core principles of operating your rental property like a successful business. Learn how to become an expert in real estate, manage finances, protect assets, understand the benefits of stock market investing, and make strategic decisions that support long-term growth.

Save the Date: 2026 CHA Owner Symposium
Thursday, October 29, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | In Person and Online

The Owner Symposium is CHA's premier event for Chicago property owners, managers, investors and other real estate professionals. Now in its 17th year, this day-long event will be held at CHA Headquarters and feature three general sessions covering timely industry topics, a dedicated exhibit area with products and services from a variety of vendors, and opportunities to connect with other Chicago housing providers.

Registration is scheduled to open later this summer, and space for the in-person event will be limited. Visit chaownersymposium.org for the most up-to-date information and click here to view highlights from last year’s event.

OS26 Webinar Series: Understanding the Eviction Process
Thursday, November 5, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Learn best practices for navigating the eviction process. This session will cover essential legal steps and required notices as well as how to ensure you’re compliant with local and state regulations.

OS26 Webinar Series: Foundations for Strong Relationships
Thursday, December 3, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Join us as we review key principles for managing landlord tenant relationships in a professional and consistent way. Learn how communication, documentation, and clear policies can support a smoother rental experience.

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 Increases Accountability, Expands Property Management Vendor Pool With Eight New Contracts
Englewood Sculpture Garden Opens On Former Vacant Lots: ‘A Positive Footprint For The Community’
Illinois Launches New Program To Provide Food Benefits To People Who Lost SNAP

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.

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