2025 Qualified Allocation Plan
The 2025 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) Draft sets the City’s evaluation criteria and process for awarding Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), a critical funding tool that the City utilizes to support affordable housing development.
LIHTC is a federal program that incentivizes public-private partnerships in affordable housing development by providing tax credits to investors in exchange for significant equity investments in qualified low-income rental housing developments. It is the most significant resource for the production and preservation of affordable rental housing in the United States today.
The 2025 QAP draft is being released jointly with a memo outlining the forthcoming changes to the Architectural Technical Standards Manual (ATSM), a policy document maintained by DOH that outlines design and contracting requirements for developers, architects, and general contractors building housing with City funds.
DOH will work closely with residents, advocates and developers to finalize the QAP this year. The draft will be open for public comment until Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 4pm CT. You can submit comments by emailing DOH2025QAP@cityofchicago.org.
DOH hosted a virtual public meeting on Tuesday May 6, 2025, at 1:30pm CT. Additionally, the Illinois Housing Council sponsored a QAP overview and feedback opportunity for developers on April 24, 2025.
*If you need to access this document in a language other than English, please email your request to doh@cityofchicago.org for a copy in your preferred language. Allow at least 10 business days for processing.
2025-26 City of Chicago LIHTC Program Timeline* | |
Event | Date |
Draft 2025 QAP Release for Public Comment | Tuesday, April 15, 2025 |
Public Hearing (Virtual) | Tuesday, May 6, 2025 |
Public Comment Period Ends | Thursday, May 15, 2025 |
Final 2025 QAP Released; PPA Period for 2025 Applications Begins | Monday, June 16, 2025 |
PPA Deadline for 2025 LIHTC Applications | Tuesday, July 15, 2025 |
DOH PPA Review Period | July, August, and September 2025 |
PPA Notification to Sponsors | Tuesday, September 30, 2025 |
PPA Clarification Period Begins | Wednesday, October 1, 2025 |
PPA Clarification Period Ends; FPA Period for 2025 Applications Begins | Monday, November 3, 2025 |
Full Project Application Deadline for 2025 LIHTC Applications | Wednesday, December 31, 2025 |
FPA Notifications to Sponsors | Tuesday, March 31, 2026 |
PPA = Preliminary Project Application; FPA = Full Project Application
* - Dates subject to change.