What the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority Does

The Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Akron, Ohio. It administers Section 8 vouchers, manages public housing units, and handles waiting lists for both. AMHA does not build or own most of the housing itself — it pays private landlords to rent units to low-income households, or it owns and operates its own properties. You deal with AMHA directly to get on a waiting list, renew your voucher, or report maintenance issues in public housing.

AMHA's main office is located at 145 East Market Street in Akron. You can reach them by phone at (330) 376-5015 during business hours. The agency also maintains a website where you can find forms, program information, and contact details for specific departments. If you need to visit in person, bring a photo ID and any documents related to your housing situation.

Key Takeaways

  • AMHA runs Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Akron; you must contact them directly to join a waiting list or manage an existing voucher.
  • Waiting lists for both vouchers and public housing are often closed, and reopening dates are posted on AMHA's website and announced by phone.
  • Income limits vary by household size and are set annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; AMHA staff can tell you the current limits when you call.
  • Section 8 vouchers require you to find your own rental unit and negotiate with the landlord, while public housing is owned and managed by AMHA itself.
  • Maintenance requests in public housing go through AMHA's maintenance department, and emergency repairs are handled separately from routine requests.

Section 8 Vouchers Through AMHA

A Section 8 voucher is a rental subsidy that pays part of your rent directly to a landlord. AMHA issues the voucher, but you find the apartment and choose the landlord. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and sign a lease with you. You pay the difference between what the voucher covers and the actual rent — this is called your "tenant contribution," and it is usually 30 percent of your monthly income.

To get on the Section 8 waiting list, you must contact AMHA and ask whether the list is open. Many housing authorities, including AMHA, close their waiting lists when they have thousands of applicants and reopen them periodically. When the list opens, you will need to provide proof of income, household composition, and citizenship or immigration status. AMHA will give you a specific list of documents to bring or mail in. Once you are on the list, you may wait months or years before your name is called, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers AMHA has available each year.

When your name is called, AMHA will issue you a voucher and a packet of information about how to use it. You then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find an apartment. The landlord must agree to rent to you, and the unit must pass an AMHA inspection to may support it meets housing quality standards. Once the lease is signed and the inspection passes, AMHA begins paying the landlord.

Public Housing Managed by AMHA

AMHA owns and operates public housing units throughout Akron. These are apartments and townhouses that AMHA rents directly to low-income households. The rent you pay is based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn each month. You do not search for a unit on your own — AMHA assigns you to an available property when your name comes up on the waiting list.

Public housing waiting lists are also often closed. When a list reopens, you explore through AMHA using the same income and household documentation required for Section 8. The waiting time for public housing can be as long as or longer than for vouchers, depending on how many units AMHA has and how many people are waiting. Once you are housed, you sign a lease with AMHA and pay rent directly to the agency each month.

Maintenance and repairs in public housing are AMHA's responsibility. You report problems through AMHA's maintenance department by phone or online portal. Routine repairs — a leaky faucet, a broken window, paint — are scheduled within a standard timeframe. Emergency repairs — no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazards — are supposed to be handled within 24 to 48 hours. If a repair is not made in a reasonable time, you can file a complaint with AMHA's management office or contact a local legal aid organization.

Income Limits and Who Can Participate

AMHA programs are open to households with income below a certain level set each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The limit depends on household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. These limits change annually, usually in April. AMHA posts the current year's limits on its website and can tell you the exact number when you call.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. AMHA will ask for proof — a birth certificate, passport, green card, or work authorization document. If you have a criminal history, AMHA may deny you based on certain convictions, though the agency must follow federal rules about which crimes disqualify you and for how long. If you have been evicted or have unpaid rent on your record, AMHA may also deny you, but again, there are rules about timing and circumstances.

Households with members who use illegal drugs or have been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine are ineligible. If you have questions about your specific situation, contact AMHA directly — staff can tell you whether your background will affect your standing.

How to Contact AMHA and What to Bring

The main AMHA office is at 145 East Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44308. Phone: (330) 376-5015. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but call ahead to confirm. You can also visit the AMHA website to read forms, check waiting list status, and find department-specific phone numbers.

If you are explore for a program or renewing your voucher, bring or mail the following: a photo ID, recent pay stubs or proof of income (tax returns, Social Security award letter, unemployment statement), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and a list of all household members with their dates of birth. If you are reporting a maintenance issue, have your unit number and a description of the problem ready when you call.

AMHA also has satellite offices or partner agencies in some neighborhoods. Call the main number to ask whether there is a location closer to you where you can submit documents or get information in person.

Waiting Lists: Status and Reopening

Both the Section 8 and public housing waiting lists at AMHA are managed separately. One may be open while the other is closed. The agency posts the status of each list on its website and updates it regularly. If a list is closed, AMHA will announce when it will reopen — sometimes a few months later, sometimes longer.

When a list is closed, you cannot explore. Calling repeatedly or visiting in person will not change this. The best approach is to check the AMHA website monthly or call the main office every few months to ask about reopening dates. Some people sign up for email notifications if AMHA offers them. If you are in urgent need of housing, ask AMHA staff whether there are other local resources — emergency rental funds, nonprofit housing programs, or rapid rehousing — that might help while you wait for a list to open.

Renewing Your Voucher or Lease

If you already have a Section 8 voucher or live in AMHA public housing, you must renew your paperwork periodically. AMHA will send you a notice telling you when your lease or voucher term ends and what you need to do. Usually, you must provide updated income documentation and proof that your household composition has not changed in ways that affect your rent.

Renewal is not automatic. If you miss the important date or do not submit required documents, your voucher or lease can be terminated. AMHA will give you a written notice before this happens, but it is your responsibility to respond on time. If you have questions about renewal, call AMHA's voucher management or lease renewal department — the main office can transfer you to the right team.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher from AMHA?

There is no set timeline. It depends on how many people are on the waiting list ahead of you and how many vouchers AMHA receives each year from the federal government. Some people wait one or two years; others wait much longer. Call AMHA to ask how many people are on the list and how many vouchers were issued last year — that can give you a rough idea of your wait time.

Can I use my AMHA voucher to rent an apartment outside Akron?

No. AMHA vouchers can only be used in Akron and the surrounding area that AMHA serves. If you move outside that area, you would need to transfer your voucher to a different housing authority, and that authority must have an open waiting list and agree to accept your transfer. Contact AMHA to ask about portability rules and which other housing authorities serve nearby areas.

What happens if my landlord wants to evict me while I have a Section 8 voucher?

Your landlord must follow Ohio eviction law, which requires a court process. AMHA cannot stop an eviction, but you have legal rights. Contact a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group for help. If you lose your housing, tell AMHA when ready — you may be able to keep your voucher and search for a new unit, depending on the reason for the eviction and AMHA's policies.

Do I have to pay AMHA an process fee to get on a waiting list?

No. AMHA does not charge fees to explore for Section 8 or public housing. If someone asks you for money to put you on a waiting list or to move you up the list faster, that is a scam. Report it to AMHA and to the Ohio Attorney General's office.

What if I have a disability and need a reasonable accommodation in my apartment?

AMHA must provide reasonable accommodations under the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. This might mean allowing a service animal, modifying a unit for wheelchair access, or adjusting lease rules. Contact AMHA's Section 8 or public housing department and ask to speak with the reasonable accommodations coordinator. You will likely need documentation of your disability from a doctor or other professional.