Para leer este boletín en español, haga clic aquí.

P.S. Going Places will be delivered exclusively via email moving forward. 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.

In order to continue participating in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, voucher holders must follow a set of rules known as the Family Obligations, which outline their responsibilities as an HCV participant. Understanding and complying with these rules is key to remaining in good standing and maintaining your housing benefits. Below are a few reminders to help you stay in compliance. To review the complete list of Family Obligations, see CHA's Participant Guidebook (a great reference to help you make the most out of your participation in the HCV Program).

Keep CHA informed. Have a change in income or family composition? Report any changes on your HCV account to CHA as soon as possible and make sure to include any supporting documentation. You can report these changes online using your RENTCafé account, just select the 'Interim Request' tile on your dashboard (see the RENTCafé Tips article below for guidance on how to log in to your account).

Follow your lease. Make sure to read through and have a clear understanding of the terms of your lease. It is a legally binding document. As a reminder, CHA is not a party to the lease between you and the property owner and does not get involved in lease enforcement-related conflicts. However, if the conflict indicates that a violation of the Family Obligations may have occurred, CHA's Enforcement Department will investigate and take the appropriate action, as required.

Manage your appointments. HCV participants must attend and complete all appointments, including, but not limited to, Re-Examinations, CHA-conducted inspections and those scheduled to discuss violations of the Family Obligations. If you have an inspection coming up, make sure to allow the property owner and CHA to inspect the unit.

With the school year coming to a close, now is the time to make plans for the youth in your household so they can have a fun and fulfilling summer. CHA offers many programs to help children and young adults stay active and engaged over the next few months ... check out a few opportunities below:

Chicago Park District Membership — CHA residents ages 6-12 are eligible for a Chicago Park District membership and can join programs at little to no cost. The membership includes Summer Day Camp and other Park Kids Programs in the fall, winter and spring at any park with these programs.

Chicago Department of Family & Support Services (DFSS) — CHA partners with organizations across the city to offer year-round interactive programs for CHA residents ages 6-21. Partner organizations include Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, Chicago Youth Centers, Youth Guidance and Chicago Youth Programs, Inc.

Summer Jobs — CHA's Summer Youth Employment Program offers CHA residents ages 13-24 the opportunity to get paid while exploring career options in a variety of fields such as filmmaking, photography, culinary arts, cosmetology, music production and entrepreneurship. Applications are managed through OneSummerChicago.org.

To learn about all opportunities available for CHA youth, visit thecha.org/youth. 

RENTCafé Tips: Updating Your Contact Information     

Making sure your contact information is up to date will ensure you receive information from CHA that will help you successfully manage your voucher as well as learn more about all of the benefits and resources available to HCV participants. You can easily update your contact information in just a few steps using CHA's RENTCafé:

1. Log in to your account at res-par.thecha.org. Select ‘Resident Login’ in the upper right corner of the screen and enter your credentials.
2. Once logged in, locate the 'Quick Links' box on the right-hand side of the page. Select 'Update Contact Details' in the drop-down menu. 
3. Carefully review your contact information and update the fields as needed.

Not registered yet? It's easy! Click here to view a short tutorial on how to sign up for an account.

Running into issues logging in to your account? Double-check the following to help get you back on track:

Make sure you have a valid email address on file with CHA. When creating a new RENTCafé account or logging in to your existing one, you must use the same email address that is on file with CHA.

Double-check your password to make sure it’s correct. If you forgot your password, you can easily reset it by clicking on the ‘Forgot password?’ link on the RENTCafé Resident Login page.

Check your internet connection. CHA's RENTCafé processes a lot of data so you’ll need a strong connection for the best experience. Check the bottom left of your screen to see if the page is loading.

Next month, CHA will be releasing proposed updates to its FY2026 MTW Annual Plan for public comment.

The 30-day public comment period will begin July 17 and run through August 15, 2025. While CHA encourages and welcomes all program participants, residents, and the community-at-large to review the proposed updates, you are not required to view or attend the public comment hearings to submit comments. Your presence or absence at the hearing and/or submission of comments will not affect your housing.

CHA will host three public comment hearings — two via livestream and one in person:

Livestream at www.thecha.org:
Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
Monday, August 4, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
(Sign interpreter will be present.)

In Person at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center (FIC):
Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 6:00 p.m.
(Sign and Spanish interpreters will be present.)

To help streamline the moving process for HCV participant families, CHA will now calculate the Contract Rent and send a rent offer to the property owner for acceptance prior to scheduling and conducting the Initial Inspection of the unit.

Effective June 1, 2025, once CHA receives and reviews the complete and accurate RTA packet and any supporting documentation, the steps for processing a new move are as follows:

1. CHA screens the property owner to determine eligibility.
2. CHA calculates the Contract Rent (based on an analysis of comparables, the property owner's Asking Rent and the HCV participant family's affordability) and contacts the property owner with a rent offer.
3. CHA awaits the property owner's acceptance of the rent offer.
4. Once accepted, CHA schedules an Initial Inspection with the property owner.
5. CHA conducts an inspection of the unit.
6. Once the unit passes the CHA-conducted inspection, the participant family and property owner determine a move-in date and sign the lease agreement, and CHA executes the HAP Contract with the property owner.
7. CHA receives the signed HAP Contract, Utilities and Appliances Lease Addendum and corresponding lease agreement and schedules the subsidy payment to the property owner, and the participant family moves in to the new unit (on the lease effective date).

For more information about the moving process, visit thecha.org/voucher-holders or see CHA's Participant Pocket Guide.

June is Alzheimer’s and Brain Health Awareness Month. Over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates 14 million Americans will be living with Alzheimer’s by 2060. Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Below are just a few ways you can get involved and promote better brain health this month:

Prioritize your health. Get in a routine of practicing activities that can improve your brain health. Habits such as reading, getting enough sleep, taking care of your mental health, and a healthy diet all promote positive brain health and can help reduce cognitive decline.

Attend an event. The Alzheimer’s Association is hosting education events throughout Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month. Topics include Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment, and how to maintain a brain-healthy diet. Register here.  

Wear purple. Purple is the official color of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month! Wearing purple is a great way to show your support and raise awareness.

Secure your belongings. Always make sure your car doors are locked. Use a lock and cable to secure any bicycles. This will help prevent theft. Always double-check your front door to ensure it’s locked when coming and going. 

Be mindful of the weather. If it's going to be a sunny day, apply sunscreen to avoid sunburn. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. If there are heat advisories, limit the time you spend outside and do the same for any children or pets.

Connect with your community. Check on your neighbors to make sure they are safe. Having a relationship with your neighbors is also a good way to stay in the know of the activity in your neighborhood.

Practice water safety. Always keep an eye on friends and loved ones when swimming, especially children. Avoid swimming by yourself unless there is a lifeguard on duty.

HCV Participant Webinar — Completing Your Re-Examination Appointment through RENTCafé 
Tuesday, June 17, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Click Here to Register

As a requirement for continued eligibility, HCV and PBV participants must complete a Re-Examination every 1-3 years, depending on their household composition and/or reported income. This review is done to ensure families are receiving the financial assistance they need.

Join us to learn more about what to expect during your next Re-Examination, what documents are needed, who must be present to sign forms and how easy it is to use RENTCafé to complete your appointment online. This session will also cover the many other ways RENTCafé gives you access to manage your voucher 24/7.

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.

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