What the Abilene Housing Authority does

The Abilene Housing Authority (AHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages public housing in Abilene, Texas, and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8) in the area. It does not build or finance private apartments — it either owns the buildings directly or helps tenants pay rent in privately owned units through vouchers. The Authority answers to a board of commissioners and operates under Texas Housing and Community Development rules.

AHA serves people whose income falls below a set threshold, which varies by family size and changes yearly. The Authority maintains a waiting list for both public housing and vouchers because demand typically exceeds available units. How long you wait, and whether you can get on the list at all, depends on which program you are interested in and current local conditions.

Key Takeaways

  • The Abilene Housing Authority runs two separate programs: public housing it owns directly, and Housing Choice Vouchers that work in private apartments.
  • Both programs have waiting lists, and both require your household income to fall below the federal limit for your family size.
  • You must explore in person or by mail at the AHA office; there is no online process portal.
  • The Authority can tell you current wait times and whether it is accepting new applications when you contact them directly.
  • If you receive a voucher, you choose your own apartment and the Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

AHA owns and manages public housing apartments throughout Abilene. These are buildings the Authority owns outright. Your rent is calculated as a percentage of your household income — typically 30 percent — and the Authority owns the property you live in. Maintenance, repairs, and building management are the Authority's responsibility.

Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. You find your own apartment in the private rental market, and the Authority pays your landlord a portion of the rent directly. You pay the difference out of pocket. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you are responsible for finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher. Not all landlords do. Both programs have separate waiting lists and separate income limits.

Income limits and household size

To be considered for either program, your household's gross monthly income must fall below the limit set by the federal government for your area and family size. These limits change every year, usually in April. For Abilene, a single person's limit is different from a family of four, which is different from a family of eight.

The Authority uses your most recent tax return, pay stubs, and sometimes bank statements to verify income. Self-employment income, Social Security, child support, and unemployment benefits all count. Once you are on the waiting list, your income is recertified annually. If your income rises above the limit, you may lose your spot or your information.

how the process works and what documents you need

Applications are submitted in person at the Abilene Housing Authority office or by mail. There is no online process system. You will need to bring or mail original documents: a government-issued photo ID, proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, recent pay stubs or tax returns, proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a signed lease if you already have one (for voucher applicants).

The office staff can tell you the exact list of documents required when you call or visit. Incomplete applications are typically returned, which delays your place on the waiting list. Once your process is complete, you are assigned a date and placed on the list according to that date — not according to need or other factors.

Waiting lists and current status

Both the public housing waiting list and the voucher waiting list are open or closed depending on how many people are already waiting and how many units become available. The Authority may close the list temporarily when it reaches a certain size, then reopen it months or years later. Wait times vary widely — sometimes a few months, sometimes several years.

The only way to know whether the list is currently open and how long the wait is for your situation is to contact the Abilene Housing Authority directly. Staff can tell you the current status by phone or in person. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen or whether you can be placed on a future opening list.

What happens after you are selected from the waiting list

When a unit becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list, the Authority contacts you. For public housing, you will be offered a specific apartment. For vouchers, you will receive your voucher and have a set amount of time — usually 60 days — to find an apartment and have the landlord sign the lease.

Before you move in, the Authority conducts a home inspection to may support the unit meets housing quality standards. For public housing, this is routine. For vouchers, the landlord's unit must pass inspection before the Authority will issue its first payment. If the unit fails, you either need to find a different apartment or the landlord must make repairs.

Rent calculation and your share

In public housing, your rent is set at 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income. Adjusted income accounts for deductions like child care, medical expenses, and disability costs. If your income changes, your rent is recalculated at your annual recertification.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, the Authority pays the landlord based on the unit's fair market rent and your income. You pay the difference between what the Authority pays and the actual rent. If the apartment costs more than the fair market rent, you pay the full overage. If it costs less, you pay less.

Contact information and next steps

The Abilene Housing Authority office is located at 1133 North Leaton Road, Abilene, Texas 79603. You can reach them by phone at (325) 676-6401. Office hours and current waiting list status are available by calling or visiting in person.

Before you visit or call, gather your identification, Social Security card, and recent income documents. Have a list of questions ready about which program fits your situation and what the current wait time is. Staff can walk you through the process process and tell you what documents you will need to submit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and voucher waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists and separate process processes. You can explore to both and be on both lists simultaneously. When one program reaches your name, you can choose to accept or decline that offer without affecting your place on the other list.

What if my income goes up after I move into public housing?

Your income is recertified every year. If it rises above the limit, you will be notified. You may be able to stay in your unit at a higher rent, or you may be required to move. The Authority's lease and policies determine what happens in your specific situation — ask about this when you explore.

Do I have to accept the first apartment offered to me?

For public housing, you can decline an offer, but doing so may move you to the back of the waiting list or remove you from it entirely. For vouchers, you have time to search for an apartment you want, so you are not forced to take the first one you see. Ask about the Authority's policy on declining offers before you are selected.

What if a landlord will not accept my voucher?

Landlords can choose whether to participate in the voucher program. If you have trouble finding a landlord, the Authority may have a list of landlords who have worked with voucher holders in the past. Some communities have local organizations that help voucher holders find apartments — ask the Authority whether such resources exist in Abilene.

How do I know if I meet the income limit?

Call the Abilene Housing Authority and ask for the current income limit for your household size. They will tell you the exact dollar amount. You can then compare it to your household's gross monthly income before taxes. If you are close to the limit, bring your documents when you explore so staff can calculate your adjusted income accurately.