What the Baton Rouge Housing Authority does

The Baton Rouge Housing Authority (BRHA) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing properties in East Baton Rouge Parish. It administers public housing units — apartments and homes rented at below-market rates to low-income households — and manages the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, which lets tenants rent from private landlords using a voucher to cover part of the rent.

BRHA does not handle emergency rental information, homelessness prevention, or housing search services. Those programs are run by separate agencies, usually the city or parish government or nonprofit organizations. BRHA's role is specifically to own and operate public housing stock and administer the voucher program for people who meet income limits.

The agency is headquartered in Baton Rouge and serves residents of East Baton Rouge Parish. If you live outside that parish, you would contact the housing authority in your own jurisdiction.

Key Takeaways

  • BRHA manages public housing apartments and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program for low-income households in East Baton Rouge Parish.
  • Public housing is owned by BRHA; Section 8 vouchers let you rent from private landlords with BRHA paying part of your rent.
  • Income limits explore to both programs and are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development based on area median income.
  • BRHA maintains a waiting list for both public housing and vouchers, and wait times vary depending on program demand and funding.
  • You can contact BRHA directly to learn about current openings, wait list status, and what documents you need to provide.

Public housing managed by BRHA

BRHA owns and operates public housing properties throughout East Baton Rouge Parish. These are apartments and homes where BRHA is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income, or the local program minimum, whichever is higher. You do not pay market rent; the federal government subsidizes the difference.

To live in BRHA public housing, your household income must fall below the limit set by HUD for your family size. These limits change yearly. For example, a single person's income limit is typically around $35,000 to $40,000 annually, but the exact figure depends on HUD's current information for the Baton Rouge area. A family of four usually has a higher limit. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other income documentation to verify your household income.

BRHA maintains a waiting list for public housing. When you explore, you are added to the list, and BRHA contacts you when a unit becomes available in a property where your family size matches the available unit. Wait times depend on how many people are ahead of you and how often units turn over. Some properties may have shorter waits than others.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, works differently from public housing. BRHA gives you a voucher that covers a portion of rent at a private apartment or house. You find the rental property yourself, the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and BRHA pays the landlord directly for the voucher portion. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent.

Voucher holders must still meet BRHA income limits at the time of issue. Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property. The property must pass a BRHA inspection for health and safety standards. If the landlord's asking rent is higher than BRHA's payment standard for that bedroom size and neighborhood, you pay the difference out of pocket.

BRHA also maintains a waiting list for vouchers. The list can be very long in some areas, and BRHA may close the list to new applicants when demand is high. You can contact BRHA to ask whether the voucher waiting list is currently open and what your approximate position is.

How to contact BRHA and what to bring

The Baton Rouge Housing Authority office is located in Baton Rouge. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about public housing or voucher availability, waiting list status, and what documents you need to bring when you explore.

When you contact BRHA or visit in person, have ready: a government-issued photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and Social Security numbers for all household members. BRHA will tell you what additional documents are required for your specific situation.

Processing times vary. Once you submit a complete process, BRHA typically takes several weeks to several months to process it, depending on how busy the office is and whether they need to verify information with your employer or other sources.

Income limits and recertification

BRHA uses income limits set by HUD to determine who can enter public housing or receive a voucher. These limits are based on the area median income for East Baton Rouge Parish and are adjusted annually. A household at or below 80 percent of the area median income is usually considered low-income and may be may be able to access.

If you are already in public housing or using a voucher, BRHA will ask you to recertify your income every year. You provide updated pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income. If your income rises above the program limit, you may lose your voucher or be required to pay higher rent. If your income drops, your rent may decrease.

BRHA will notify you when recertification is due. Missing a recertification important date can result in loss of your housing or voucher, so respond promptly when BRHA contacts you.

Waiting lists and how they work

Both public housing and vouchers operate on waiting lists. When you explore, BRHA adds your name to the list in the order your process is received, unless BRHA uses a lottery or preference system. Preferences may exist for people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or other categories set by BRHA policy.

Wait times can range from a few months to several years, depending on how many people are on the list and how often units or vouchers become available. BRHA can tell you your current position on the list and give you an estimate, though the estimate may change if people ahead of you withdraw or if funding changes.

If you move or your contact information changes, notify BRHA when ready. If BRHA cannot reach you when a unit or voucher becomes available, they may skip you and move to the next person on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if BRHA's waiting list is open?

Contact BRHA directly by phone or visit their office. They can tell you whether the public housing waiting list and the voucher waiting list are currently open to new applicants. Lists sometimes close when demand is very high, and BRHA reopens them periodically as funding allows.

What is the difference between public housing and a Section 8 voucher?

In public housing, BRHA owns the building and is your landlord. In Section 8, you find a private rental property and BRHA pays the landlord part of the rent. Public housing rent is always 30 percent of your income; Section 8 rent depends on the landlord's asking price and BRHA's payment standard for your area.

Can I be removed from public housing or lose my voucher?

Yes. BRHA can terminate your lease or voucher for non-payment of rent, lease violations, criminal activity, or if your income exceeds the program limit and you do not pay the required higher rent. You have the right to a hearing before termination in most cases. BRHA will provide notice and explain the reason.

What happens if I do not recertify my income?

Failure to recertify can result in loss of your housing or voucher. BRHA will send you a notice when recertification is due. If you do not respond by the important date, BRHA may terminate your information. Contact BRHA when ready if you miss a important date or have trouble gathering documents.

How long does it take to get a voucher after I am approved?

After BRHA approves you for a voucher, you typically have 60 to 120 days to find a rental property, have it inspected, and move in. If you cannot find a property in that time, BRHA may extend the important date or you may lose the voucher. Once you find a property and it passes inspection, BRHA can begin paying the landlord within a few weeks.