Your housing authority is a local government agency that runs housing programs in your county or city

A housing authority is a public agency created by state law to manage housing programs within a specific geographic area — usually a county, city, or region. It is not a federal office, not a nonprofit, and not a landlord itself. It administers programs funded by federal money but run locally, which means the rules, wait times, and what gets funded vary significantly from one authority to the next.

The most visible program most authorities run is Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, which subsidize rent for low-income households. But many also manage public housing (apartments the authority owns), emergency rental information, supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, and first-time homebuyer programs. Some run all of these; others run only one or two.

The authority's board is made up of local officials and residents, not appointed by Washington. That is why the same program can work very differently depending on where you live. One authority might have a three-year wait for a voucher; another might have a three-month wait or no wait at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Your housing authority is a local government agency that runs federal housing programs in your specific county or city, not a national office.
  • The main program most authorities run is Section 8 vouchers, but they also manage public housing, emergency rental help, and other local programs.
  • Wait times, income limits, and what programs are open vary by authority, so you need to contact your specific local office, not a general number.
  • You can find your local housing authority through HUD's website, 211, or by searching "[your city or county] housing authority" online.
  • Most authorities have a single process for their programs, though some programs may have separate intake processes or may be closed to new people.

How to find your local housing authority

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) maintains a searchable list of all housing authorities at www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts. You can search by state and then by city or county. The listing includes the authority's address, phone number, and website.

You can also call 211 (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and tell the operator your city and county. They will give you the housing authority's contact information and can sometimes tell you which programs are currently open to new people.

If you search online, use the exact name of your city or county plus "housing authority" — for example, "Cook County Housing Authority" or "San Francisco Housing Authority." The authority's website usually lists all programs, current wait times, and whether applications are being taken.

What programs a housing authority typically runs

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are the largest program most authorities manage. A voucher is a subsidy that pays part of your rent directly to your landlord. You find your own apartment, and the voucher covers the difference between what the apartment costs and what you are expected to pay based on your income. Most authorities have long wait lists for vouchers — sometimes years — though some have no wait or have stopped taking new people temporarily.

Public housing is apartments owned and operated by the authority itself. These are usually older buildings, but rent is set at 30 percent of your income. Public housing has its own wait list, separate from the voucher list, and the wait can be just as long. Some authorities have stopped accepting new public housing people.

Emergency rental information pays back rent or upcoming rent when you are behind or at risk of eviction. This program is usually time-limited and funded through federal grants that run out. When it is open, it moves faster than vouchers — often weeks rather than months — but it is not permanent help.

Some authorities also run supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, family unification programs for youth aging out of foster care, and homeownership programs that help first-time buyers. Not every authority runs all of these, and some run programs unique to their region.

Income limits and what documents you need

Income limits vary by program and by location. Section 8 vouchers typically serve households making 50 percent of the area median income or less, though some authorities set the limit higher. Public housing sometimes has a lower income limit. Emergency rental information usually has a higher limit — often 80 to 100 percent of area median income — because it is meant to catch people before they become homeless.

When you contact your authority, ask them for the current income limit for the specific program you are interested in. They will tell you the limit as a monthly or annual figure and will ask you to verify your income when you explore.

Most authorities require the same documents across programs: proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and Social Security numbers for everyone in your household. If you are explore for emergency rental information, you will also need a signed lease and proof of the hardship (eviction notice, past-due notice, or a letter from your landlord).

Wait lists and how long things take

Section 8 voucher wait lists are the longest. In large cities, the wait can be three to five years or longer. Some authorities have closed their lists entirely because the wait is so long. A few authorities in smaller cities or regions with less demand have much shorter waits — sometimes under a year — or no wait at all.

Public housing wait lists are usually shorter than voucher lists but still measured in months to years. Emergency rental information, when it is open, usually processes people within two to six weeks because the money is temporary and the need is urgent.

When you explore, the authority will give you a date and a position on the list. You stay on the list until you are called, you withdraw, or the authority removes you for not responding to contact. Some authorities remove people after one or two years of inactivity; others keep lists open indefinitely. Ask your authority about their removal policy when you explore.

How to contact your housing authority and what to expect

Call or visit your local authority's office during business hours. Most have a main intake line where you can ask which programs are open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need. Some authorities have moved to online intake or require you to submit a form on their website before they will schedule an appointment.

Be ready to tell them your household size, approximate income, and which program you are interested in. They will tell you whether that program is open, what the wait is, and what the next step is. If the program is closed, ask when it might reopen or whether there is a waitlist to be notified when it does.

If you are homeless or at when ready risk of eviction, tell the authority that when you call. Some programs prioritize people in crisis, and the authority may be able to move you to emergency rental information or a rapid rehousing program faster than the standard process.

What happens after you explore

After you submit your process, the authority will verify your income, identity, and residency. This usually takes two to four weeks. They may contact your employer, your landlord, or previous landlords to check your rental history. If you have an eviction on your record, they will see it, but most authorities do not automatically deny people with evictions — they evaluate the whole process.

Once you are approved, you move to the active list. For vouchers and public housing, you then wait to be called. When your number comes up, the authority will contact you and explain the next steps — usually how to find an apartment (for vouchers) or when to move in (for public housing). For emergency rental information, approval usually means the authority will contact your landlord within days to arrange payment.

If you are denied, the authority must tell you why and give you a chance to appeal. Common reasons for denial are income too high, failure to verify information, or a disqualifying criminal history or eviction record. You have the right to request a hearing to contest the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the wait list for both Section 8 vouchers and public housing at the same time?

Yes. The lists are separate, and most authorities allow you to be on both. You explore to each program independently, and if you are called for one before the other, you can accept it and ask to be removed from the other list, or stay on both lists.

What if my housing authority says the program I want is closed?

Ask whether you can be added to a notification list so they will contact you when the program reopens. Some authorities reopen programs seasonally or when funding becomes available. You can also check back with the authority every few months or ask them when they expect to reopen.

Do I have to live in the city or county where the housing authority is located?

Usually yes. Most authorities serve only people who live or work in their jurisdiction. Some regional authorities serve multiple counties. When you call, ask whether you are in their service area.

What if I was denied by my housing authority and I disagree with the decision?

You have the right to request a hearing. The authority must tell you how to request one in the denial letter. You can bring documents, witnesses, or a representative to the hearing to explain your side. The hearing officer will review the decision and tell you whether it stands or is overturned.

Can I transfer my voucher or public housing to a different city?

Section 8 vouchers can be transferred, but the process is called a "portability move" and it is complicated. You need permission from both your current authority and the authority in the new city. Public housing cannot be transferred — you would have to explore to the new authority's public housing program separately. Ask your current authority about portability rules if you are planning to move.