The Housing Authority of Champaign County on Monday approved Resolution 2025-2, adopting a flat-tier rent schedule for 2026 to reflect recent changes in area median income.

Authority staff told the board the authority reviews rents annually and that a drop in the county median income from $106,000 to $97,800 required an adjustment to the schedule.

The change is a flat-tier system that assigns a fixed rent level to defined income ranges rather than calculating rents after deductions for dependents, medical expenses or similar items, Authority staff said. Under the agency’s Moving to Work (MTW) approach, staff also described a four-month continuation on the program for families that attain the full contract rent through increased earnings.

At the meeting, an Authority staff member said, “They pay they can pay between 30 to 40%, but it's based on what their income is. It's scheduled.” The staff member clarified that the flat tiers do not factor in deductions: “So it's a flat amount, not based on children, deductions, medical, or anything.”

Board members asked for clarifications about how the tiers would be applied when participants’ incomes change. Staff explained that if a household’s income moves it into a different tier, the rent is adjusted; if a household’s earnings increase to the point that they reach the full contract rent, the MTW plan allows that family to remain on the program for four months before termination or rent adjustment, to provide a short transition period.

Commissioners did not propose amendments during the discussion. A motion to approve Resolution 2025-2 was made and the board approved the resolution by roll call.

The resolution takes effect in calendar-year 2026 under the authority’s administrative rules. Staff said they will notify participants of the changes and implement monthly processing adjustments to apply the tiers and track transitions under the MTW four-month provision.