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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.

Moving season is right around the corner! And we know it can be a very chaotic time, but there are steps you can take to streamline the process and lower your stress level. Check out the tips below to help make your move more manageable.

Make sure you’re eligible to move. Have you renewed your current lease for another term? Have you received moving papers within the last 12 months? Do you have an Interim Re-Examination in progress, or are you due for your regular Re-Examination within the next 120 days? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may not be eligible to move.

Be aware of your deadlines. Once you receive the voucher, you have 120 days to look for housing and work with the property owner/manager to complete and submit the RTA packet to CHA. In some cases, CHA may grant a 60-day extension; however, you must submit the request in writing before the voucher expiration date and include supporting evidence.

Communicate. When you request to move, notify your current property owner of your intentions and keep them informed when you submit your paperwork, including providing a notice to vacate at least 30 days before you move out.

Utilize online resources. There are a lot of helpful housing search websites you can use to find a new unit, such as AffordableHousing.com, Zillow, Trulia, and more.

Know your rights. Tenants in Chicago are protected by a range of fair housing laws, from local to federal, that prohibit discrimination. For example, property owners cannot discriminate when it comes to source of income. This means that a property owner must consider any lawful income source that you receive when determining whether you can afford to rent their unit, including sources such as food stamps, unemployment or even a housing choice voucher. For more information on fair housing, refer to pages 16-17 in CHA's Participant Guidebook.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2026-2027 CHA Scholarship Program. Through the support of CHA's non-profit partner, Springboard to Success (S2S), the CHA Scholarship Program is able to offer up to 125 scholarships of $2,000 each to current HCV participants who are high school seniors or college undergraduates.

If you plan on attending an accredited two- or four-year college/university in the United States this fall, now is your chance to apply. Visit thecha.org/scholarship today for more information.

Deadline to apply: Saturday, May 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

In addition, for HCV participants who are enrolled or plan to enroll in a degree program at one of the Chicago City Colleges, CHA has a separate Partners in Education Program that will allow you to attend for little or no cost, after financial aid is applied. Visit thecha.org/education to learn more. 

RENTCafé Tips: Text Message Alerts  

Step-by-step instructions for signing up for text message alerts:

1. Log in to your account at res-par.thecha.org.
2. Once on the RENTCafé home screen, locate the TEXT MESSAGE ALERTS box located on the right side of the page.
3. Enter your mobile phone number in the field and select the ‘Opt In’ button.

You’re all set! You will now receive important text message alerts from RENTCafé. Note: Standard messaging rates apply.

Looking for more information on how to navigate RENTCafé? Visit CHA's website at thecha.org/hcvresources for guides, video tutorials and more.  

As of January 1, 2026, housing providers in Illinois must attach the Summary of Rights for Safer Homes as the first page of every written residential lease, including new and renewal. Housing providers must obtain the signature of each tenant at the bottom of each page of the summary.

The Illinois Safe Homes Act provides housing protections for survivors of domestic or sexual violence. Under the Safe Homes Act, tenants can end their lease early without penalty if staying puts them at risk, and request that housing providers change locks to prevent further abuse.

For more information, visit dhr.illinois.gov/safer-homes.

The HCV Program has many moving parts (a few are complex), which can often lead to misconceptions about the program. Let's set the record straight and debunk some of the most common ones. Check out the statements below and see if you can spot the myths from the facts.

I have to complete my Re-Examination appointment at an HCV Regional Office.
This is a myth. HCV participants can complete their regular Re-Examination appointment virtually using RENTCafé, CHA's online account management tool available at res-par.thecha.org. Plus, completing your Re-Examination via RENTCafé requires the same information that you normally provide to CHA when completing your appointment in person at the office, just without the travel.

Once I have my moving papers, I have 120 days to find a unit.
This is a fact. However, HCV families may be eligible for an extension of up to 60 days if there are circumstances outside their control.

After receiving my voucher, CHA will find me a place to live.
This is a myth. As a participant in the HCV Program, the choice of housing is your responsibility — it's even in the name ... Housing Choice Voucher. However, there are two exceptions: 1) HCV participants with disabilities who are searching for units with accessibility features can request assistance from the HCV Fair Housing Department, and 2) HCV families who participate in the Mobility Counseling Program can receive assistance in their search for housing in Mobility Areas. To learn more about Mobility Areas, visit thecha.org/mobility. 

If I'm moving outside the city of Chicago, I can transfer my voucher to the housing authority that manages the area where I wish to live.
This is a fact. This is called “porting.” Since CHA only manages vouchers in the city of Chicago, you would “port out” of Chicago and “port in” to the new housing authority. You can find a full list of housing authorities and their jurisdictions at HUD.gov.

During a regular CHA-conducted inspection, the property owner is responsible for making all rooms inside the unit available to the Inspector.
This is a myth. This is the tenant's responsibility during a regular inspection. Any room or space inside the unit that is locked or unavailable to inspect will be classified as a Tenant Fail. However, if there are areas not accessible by the tenant, such as a basement or boiler room, the property owner or a representative should be present to allow the inspector entrance. 

By Doreen Green, LCPC, Clinical Support Specialist, CHA's HCV Health & Wellness Program

Practicing self-reflection means being intentional about taking time to truly notice and see your own self, including the parts of yourself that feel good and unpleasant. Practicing self-reflection might feel comfortable to some and challenging to others. Yet, through self-reflection, you create the space to explore and learn from the different versions of yourself, both past and present. This can mean looking at changes in your mindset, choices, and identity over time. Understanding how you change can impact the future version of yourself, the quality of your relationships, and your connections with the world around you. Ultimately, this can impact the quality of your life and life path. When practicing self-reflection, the focus is not on judging yourself; it is on acknowledgement and understanding with self-compassion.

Life can bring us both joy and pain. The fact that we can’t predict what’s next is part of the human experience. What is known is that change is constantly happening by the minute, hour, and day. This means there is an ongoing chance for you to experience yourself and life differently, even if the difference is unknown. Please keep in mind that, like the seasons, you are always changing, whether by choice or by circumstances, and you do not have to be locked into one version of yourself forever.

HCV Participant Bootcamp @ the FIC
Tuesday, March 24, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Click Here to Register

This in-person event will cover everything you need to know about the HCV Program, including entering the program and finding a unit that meets your needs, completing the required paperwork, CHA-conducted inspections and HCV Program enforcement. Plus, you'll be able to visit with organizations throughout the day that offer housing, education, career, and/or family support resources for HCV families.

HCV Participant Webinar: HCV Paperwork Essentials
Tuesday, April 7, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Click Here to Register

Join us as we review key HCV Program documents and show you how to use them to successfully manage your voucher. This session will focus on the RTA Packet, Rent Burden Worksheet, Notice to Vacate and other important documentation.

HCV Participant Webinar: Roles and Responsibilities in the HCV Program 
Tuesday, April 21, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Click Here to Register

HCV participants, CHA, and property owners each have important contractual obligations under the HCV Program. Join us as we break down these responsibilities and discuss how CHA monitors compliance and investigates complaints to ensure program integrity.

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

Webinar topics include:

• How to Search for Housing
• Education & Employment
• Moving with Your Voucher
• Homeownership
• 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.

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