What the Alachua County Housing Authority does

The Alachua County Housing Authority (ACHA) is a local government agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in Gainesville and the surrounding county. It does not build or own most of the housing it oversees — instead, it contracts with private landlords and property owners who agree to rent units at reduced rates to low-income households. The agency also administers vouchers that let tenants choose their own apartments from the private market.

ACHA operates under federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This means the programs follow federal rules about income limits, rent calculations, and tenant rights, but ACHA itself makes decisions about which programs to offer, how many vouchers to issue, and how quickly to process requests.

The authority serves Alachua County, which includes Gainesville and smaller surrounding communities. If you live outside the county, you would contact a different housing authority in your area.

Key Takeaways

  • ACHA manages public housing units and rental vouchers for households below certain income limits, with waiting lists that can be months or years long.
  • You can contact ACHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their Gainesville office to ask about current programs and whether they are accepting new names on a waiting list.
  • Rent in ACHA programs is typically 30 percent of your household income, not a fixed dollar amount, so your payment changes if your income changes.
  • ACHA requires proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a background check before you can move into a unit or receive a voucher.

How to contact ACHA Gainesville

The Alachua County Housing Authority's main office is located in Gainesville. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about programs, waiting lists, and next steps. The office address and phone number are available through the ACHA website or by calling 211, which is a free referral service that connects you to local housing resources.

When you call, have your household size, current income, and housing situation ready. Staff can tell you whether waiting lists are open, how long the wait typically is, and what documents you will need to bring if you decide to explore. Some people wait weeks just to get an intake appointment, so calling early matters.

You can also visit the office in person during posted hours. Bring identification and be prepared to wait, as walk-ins are common and appointments may be prioritized.

Public housing units versus rental vouchers

ACHA offers two main types of information. Public housing means ACHA owns or leases the building, and you rent directly from the authority. These are usually older apartment complexes or scattered single-family homes. Rental vouchers (often called Section 8) mean you find your own apartment on the private market, and ACHA pays part of the rent to your landlord. The voucher approach gives you more choice but requires landlords willing to accept the voucher.

Public housing has a longer waiting list in most areas because the supply is fixed — ACHA can only house as many people as it has units. Voucher waiting lists are also long, but the program can theoretically serve more people because it uses private apartments. In practice, both programs have waiting lists in Alachua County, and neither opens frequently.

Your household income determines which program you can enter. Most public housing serves households at or below 50 percent of the area median income. Voucher programs often serve households up to 80 percent of median income, though ACHA prioritizes lower-income households.

Income limits and rent calculations

ACHA programs have income limits based on household size. These limits change yearly and vary by program. A household of one might have a limit around $30,000 to $35,000 annually, while a household of four might have a limit around $50,000 to $60,000, but these numbers shift. Call ACHA or check their website for the current limits that explore to your situation.

If you are accepted, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross household income. If your household makes $24,000 per year, you would pay $600 per month. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises above the program limit, you may have to leave the program or pay market rent. ACHA reviews income annually and sometimes more often.

Utilities are your responsibility in most cases, though some public housing units include them. Ask ACHA whether utilities are included in the unit you are offered.

Documents you will need

ACHA requires proof of identity, income, and residency status before you can enter a program. Bring a government-issued photo ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns showing household income, and proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or work authorization document). If you are unemployed, bring documentation of unemployment benefits, disability payments, or other income sources.

You will also need to pass a background check. ACHA screens for criminal history, eviction records, and previous lease violations. A criminal record or eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but ACHA considers the nature and timing of the offense. Violent felonies and drug convictions are treated more seriously than other offenses.

If you have a co-signer or other household members, each adult will need to provide identification and income documentation. Children do not need separate documents but must be listed on the process.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Most ACHA programs have waiting lists because demand exceeds supply. The length of the wait depends on the program, your priority status, and how many units or vouchers become available. In some cases, waiting lists are closed entirely, meaning ACHA is not accepting new names until current applicants are served.

Priority is usually given to households experiencing homelessness, families with children, elderly people, and people with disabilities. General applicants without these circumstances may wait longer. ACHA will tell you your approximate position on the list and expected wait time when you explore, though these estimates change.

Once your name reaches the top of the list, ACHA will contact you to schedule an appointment and complete the intake process. This is when you bring documents, answer detailed questions, and authorize the background check. After intake, approval typically takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly you provide documents and how busy ACHA is.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, ACHA will offer you a unit when one becomes available. You do not get to choose the location or building — ACHA assigns units based on availability and your household size. You can decline an offer, but this may move you to the back of the waiting list or remove you from the program entirely, depending on ACHA policy. Ask about this before you decline.

If you are approved for a voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment that meets ACHA standards and that a landlord will accept. Not all landlords accept vouchers, so this can be harder than it sounds. ACHA will inspect the unit before you move in to make sure it meets housing quality standards. Once you move in, you pay your 30 percent share and ACHA pays the rest directly to the landlord.

In either case, you sign a lease and have tenant rights and responsibilities. ACHA can evict you for lease violations, non-payment of rent, or criminal activity, just as a private landlord can.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for ACHA in Gainesville?

Waiting times vary by program and change frequently. Some programs have waiting lists of several months to over a year. The only way to know the current wait is to contact ACHA directly by phone or in person. They can tell you whether the list is open and give you an estimate based on your household type and priority status.

Can I be denied because of an eviction or criminal record?

Not automatically. ACHA considers the nature, timing, and circumstances of the offense or eviction. A single eviction from years ago may not disqualify you, but recent evictions or violent felonies are treated more seriously. Ask ACHA about their specific policies before you explore, or bring documentation of your situation to your intake appointment so staff can advise you.

What if I cannot find a landlord who accepts my voucher?

This is a real problem in many areas. If you cannot find a unit within your time limit, contact ACHA to discuss an extension or other options. Some ACHA offices have landlord liaison staff who can help connect you with participating landlords. You can also ask ACHA for a list of buildings or neighborhoods where vouchers are commonly accepted.

What happens to my rent if my income increases?

Your rent will increase because it is calculated as 30 percent of your income. ACHA reviews income annually, so if your income goes up, your next lease renewal will reflect the higher rent. If your income exceeds the program limit, you may be required to leave the program or transition to market rent.

Can I transfer my voucher or public housing to another county?

Vouchers can sometimes be transferred to another housing authority if you move, but this depends on both authorities' policies and available funding. Public housing is tied to ACHA's units, so you cannot transfer it. Contact ACHA before you move to understand your options.