Pools. Gyms. Decks. Doormen.

What can you do with OPM?  

Anything you can get away with.

CHA 'SUPERVOUCHERS' SUBSIDIZE CHICAGO'S PRICIEST RENTS FOR LOW-INCOME RESIDENTS

abc News Chicago By Ben Bradley 7/28/14

CHICAGO (WLS) --

The Chicago Housing Authority is subsidizing the rent for low-income residents in some of the city's priciest apartment buildings.

A lifestyle out of reach for most is being enjoyed by some thanks to a CHA subsidy. One person living here at the Aqua Tower pays just 30-percent of their income toward rent, regardless of how little that income is. Who pays the rest of their rent? You do.

It's the good life: Pools. Gyms. Decks. Doormen. At 500 N. Lake Shore Drive, rent runs roughly $2,400 a month. At the Aqua Tower, it's $2,500. And at the new and exclusive "Streeter" it's $3,000 a month.

"It's not fair because we work hard to live in a place like this," said Christian Alarcon, Streeterville resident.

"When it comes to the luxury high rise units, there's no excuse why the CHA is doing this at taxpayer expense and at the expense of thousands of Chicagoans who are denied any access to vouchers because the CHA runs out of money," said Rep. Schock.

A CHA spokesperson wouldn't talk to us about the story on-camera, but told us only 706 people have received these "supervouchers," less than two percent of all the vouchers the CHA hands out.

But it's happening when more than 15,000 people are on the CHA's waiting list, hoping for any help at all. 

After scrutiny, CHA cuts value of 'super vouchers'

Chicago Tribune, August 18, 2014  By Michelle Manchir

CHA changes policy on 'super vouchers' so assisted renters don't land in luxurious high rises.

Chicago Housing Authority voucher recipients will no longer receive enough assistance to place them in the city's most luxurious high-rise buildings under a new policy, the agency announced Sunday.

The policy targets "super vouchers" that allow low-income recipients to receive up to 300 percent of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Market Rent, which for the Chicago area is $826 for a one-bedroom apartment. The new limit will be 150 percent, according to the release.

The Chicago Housing Authority came under scrutiny for its use of vouchers to put families in apartments where rent can start at $2,300 a month. (Anthony Souffle, Chicago Tribune)