What the Atlantic City Housing Authority does

The Atlantic City Housing Authority (ACHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing for low-income residents in Atlantic City, New Jersey. It administers public housing units, Section 8 vouchers, and other affordable housing programs within the city. If you live in ACHA housing or hold an ACHA voucher, the Authority is your landlord or the agency that subsidizes your rent to a private landlord.

ACHA is not the same as the city government or the state housing agency. It is a separate public entity with its own board, budget, and staff. When you have a question about your lease, your rent, maintenance, or a voucher, ACHA is the organization you contact — not City Hall or the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Key Takeaways

  • ACHA manages public housing developments and Section 8 voucher programs for Atlantic City residents whose income falls below federal limits.
  • You can contact ACHA directly about lease terms, rent payments, maintenance requests, and voucher status — they are your landlord or subsidy administrator.
  • ACHA maintains a waiting list for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers; the list is often closed and reopens periodically.
  • If you have a dispute with ACHA over your lease or housing conditions, you have the right to request a hearing before an independent officer.
  • ACHA's office is located in Atlantic City, and you can reach them by phone, mail, or in person during business hours.

Public housing and Section 8 vouchers: what ACHA offers

ACHA operates two main programs. Public housing means ACHA owns the building and you rent directly from the Authority. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, with ACHA covering the rest of the operating costs. Public housing units are scattered across Atlantic City in various developments and individual buildings.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. ACHA gives you a voucher that subsidizes your rent at a private landlord's property. You find your own apartment (within ACHA's rent limits), the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and ACHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest. Your share is still typically 30 percent of your income.

Both programs require your household income to fall below federal limits, which vary by family size and are updated yearly. ACHA determines your income at the time you move in and recertifies it annually. If your income rises above the limit, you may have to leave the program or pay higher rent.

How to contact ACHA and what information to have ready

The Atlantic City Housing Authority office is located at 1 North Tennessee Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401. You can reach them by phone at (609) 348-2001 during business hours, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

When you call or visit, have your lease number, unit address, or voucher number ready. If you are calling about a maintenance issue, describe the problem and when it started. If you are calling about rent or your account, have your most recent lease or rent statement available. If you are inquiring about the waiting list, be prepared to provide your name, address, and phone number.

You can also mail written requests to ACHA at the address above. Mail takes longer than a phone call, so use it for formal requests (such as a hearing request) that you want documented in writing, or if you cannot reach the office by phone.

The waiting list: how it works and when it opens

ACHA maintains a waiting list for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers. The list is often closed, meaning ACHA is not accepting new applications because the current list is long enough to fill available units for months or years ahead. When the list is open, ACHA accepts applications for a set period — sometimes a few weeks, sometimes longer — and then closes it again.

You can contact ACHA to ask whether the waiting list is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. ACHA does not always have a firm reopening date, but staff can tell you whether the list is expected to open in the coming months or years. You can also ask to be placed on a notification list so ACHA contacts you when applications reopen.

Once you are on the waiting list, ACHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. The wait can be months or years depending on your priority (family size, disability status, homelessness, and other factors affect where you rank). Do not assume you have been forgotten — waiting lists are long and move slowly.

Tenant rights in ACHA housing and how to request a hearing

As an ACHA tenant, you have rights under the lease, New Jersey housing law, and federal public housing regulations. Your lease must include the terms of tenancy, the rent amount, the lease term, and your rights and responsibilities. ACHA cannot evict you without cause and without following proper legal process, which includes giving you written notice and a chance to respond.

If ACHA violates your lease, fails to make repairs, or takes an action you believe is unfair, you have the right to request a grievance hearing. This is an informal hearing before an independent officer (not an ACHA employee) who listens to both sides and makes a decision. You do not need a lawyer, though you can bring one. To request a hearing, contact ACHA in writing and describe the problem. ACHA will provide you with the grievance procedure and timeline.

If ACHA is trying to evict you, you also have the right to a hearing in court. Do not ignore an eviction notice. Contact ACHA or a legal aid organization when ready to understand your options.

Maintenance requests and how long repairs should take

If something in your unit or building needs repair — a leak, broken heat, electrical problem, pest infestation, or structural damage — contact ACHA's maintenance department. You can call the main office or submit a work order in person. Describe the problem clearly and note when it started and whether it affects your health or safety.

ACHA has response time standards for repairs. Emergency repairs (no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazard, roof leak) should be addressed within 24 hours. Routine repairs typically have a 7- to 14-day window depending on severity. If ACHA does not respond within the required time, document the delay and contact the office again. If the problem persists, you can file a grievance or contact a legal aid organization.

Keep records of all maintenance requests — the date you called, who you spoke to, and what was promised. If you have to pay for a repair yourself because ACHA did not respond, keep the receipt and bill. You may be able to deduct the cost from your rent or recover it through a grievance hearing, though the rules vary.

Rent payment, income recertification, and what happens if your income changes

In ACHA public housing, your rent is recalculated every year based on your household income. ACHA will send you a recertification form asking for proof of income — recent pay stubs, tax returns, benefit statements, or other documents. You must return the form by the important date or your rent may be adjusted without your input.

If your income increases, your rent will go up. If your income decreases (you lost a job, had hours cut, or started receiving unemployment), your rent will go down. Report income changes to ACHA as soon as they happen, even if recertification is not due. The sooner you report, the sooner your rent can be adjusted.

If you do not pay rent on time, ACHA can charge a late fee and eventually start eviction proceedings. Pay rent by the due date shown on your lease. If you are having trouble paying, contact ACHA when ready to discuss options — some programs offer emergency rent information or payment plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Wait times vary widely depending on how many people are on the list and how many vouchers ACHA receives each year. Some people wait months; others wait years. ACHA staff can give you a rough estimate based on your priority level when you ask about the waiting list status.

Can ACHA evict me without a reason?

No. ACHA must have cause to evict you — usually nonpayment of rent, lease violation, or criminal activity. ACHA must give you written notice and a chance to respond or cure the problem before filing in court. You then have the right to a court hearing where you can defend yourself.

What if my landlord (in Section 8) refuses to make repairs?

Contact ACHA when ready. ACHA can inspect the unit and require the landlord to make repairs as a condition of receiving the voucher payment. If the landlord refuses, ACHA may terminate the voucher contract with that landlord. You can also file a complaint with the local housing code enforcement office.

Do I have to report if I get a roommate or family member moves in?

Yes. Any change in household composition must be reported to ACHA because it affects your income calculation and rent. Contact ACHA to update your lease and recertify your income. Failing to report household changes can result in overpayment of subsidy and a demand for repayment.

What if I disagree with ACHA's decision about my rent or my voucher?

Request a grievance hearing in writing. Describe what decision you disagree with and why. ACHA will schedule a hearing before an independent officer within a set timeframe. You can present documents, witnesses, and your side of the story. The officer will make a written decision.