What a Housing Authority Is and How It Helps With Affordable Housing

A housing authority is a local or regional public agency that manages affordable housing programs, usually for people with low or moderate incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities.

HowToGetAssistance.org is an informational site only; to apply or check your status you must use your local housing authority’s official website, office, or phone line.

In the U.S., housing authorities typically work with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or a state housing agency, but they are run locally—by a city, county, region, or tribal government.

What a Housing Authority Actually Does

A housing authority’s main job is to administer housing assistance programs and maintain affordable housing units in its area. It does not usually act as a landlord for all rentals in the area—only for the properties and programs it manages.

Typical housing authority responsibilities include:

Public housing: Owning and managing apartments or townhomes rented at reduced rents to eligible households.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): Administering vouchers that help pay rent in privately owned units.
Project-based vouchers or subsidies: Partnering with specific privately-owned buildings where some units are reserved as affordable.
Waitlists and intake: Handling applications, placing people on waiting lists, and verifying eligibility when spots open.
Inspections and compliance: Inspecting units and enforcing housing quality and program rules.
Supportive or special programs: Sometimes coordinating programs for veterans, homeless households, seniors, or people with disabilities.

Housing authorities do not control every landlord in an area, and they usually cannot force a private landlord to accept vouchers unless state or local law requires it.

Key Terms You’ll See

Public housing – Rental units owned/managed by a housing authority with income-based rent.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV/Section 8) – A rental subsidy you can typically use with participating private landlords.

PHA (Public Housing Agency) – Another term for housing authority; some states use different names (e.g., housing commission).

Income limits – Maximum income allowed to qualify, usually based on area median income (AMI) and household size.

Does a Housing Authority Apply to You?

Housing authorities typically serve low-income households, but details vary by area. Not everyone qualifies, and even if you do, there are often waitlists.

Common eligibility clues (not guarantees):

Income is below a set limit for your area and household size (often at or below 50% of AMI for many programs).
At least one household member is a U.S. citizen or has an eligible immigration status (for HUD-funded programs).
You live, work, or plan to live in the housing authority’s service area.
You do not have certain serious program violations, such as recent eviction from assisted housing for drug-related activity (policies differ).

Because rules and program names differ by state and even by city, the best way to confirm if it applies to you is to locate your specific local housing authority and review its eligibility section or call.

Your Next Steps: How to Find and Contact Your Local Housing Authority

Housing authorities are created and run locally, so step one is always to find the correct agency for your city or county.

Step 1: Identify the Right Housing Authority

Start with HUD’s “Find Your Local Public Housing Agency” tool.
Go to the HUD website and use the search for local PHAs by state and city; this is a reliable way to confirm you have the official agency. A good place to start is HUD’s page for local public housing agencies (search online for “HUD local PHA list”).
Check for multiple agencies.
Large metro areas often have more than one housing authority (e.g., a city authority and a county authority). Write down the full names, phone numbers, and websites of any that serve your city or ZIP code.
Verify the website is official.
Look for:
- “Housing Authority” or “Public Housing Agency” in the name.
- A .gov domain where possible, or a site clearly linked from HUD or your city/county website.
- A physical office address and main phone line listed.

Real-world friction to watch for: A common snag is searching “Section 8 in [city]” and landing on unofficial sites that collect personal information or fees but are not the actual housing authority—always cross-check with HUD or your city/county government site.

Step 2: Review Programs and Basic Eligibility

On the official housing authority website, look for sections titled “Programs,” “Public Housing,” “Housing Choice Vouchers,” “Section 8,” or “Apply.”
Read the basic eligibility information, focusing on:
- Income limits or income categories.
- Residency or “local preference” rules.
- Any special programs for seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, or people experiencing homelessness.

What to expect next: You will usually see that waitlists are open, closed, or “limited”; if a list is closed, you typically cannot apply for that program until it opens again.

Step 3: Check Application or Waitlist Status

If a list is open, the website typically explains how to apply:
- Online application portal, or
- Paper application to download, pick up, or request by mail, or
- In-person application at the housing authority office or a partner agency.
If all main lists are closed, the site may allow you to:
- Sign up for email or text alerts for when they reopen.
- Monitor the website or local notices for upcoming lotteries or openings.

What to expect next: Even if you apply, approval is not immediate; most people first receive a notice confirming they are on the waitlist, not that they have housing yet.

Step 4: Prepare to Contact the Housing Authority

If the instructions are confusing, call or visit the office during posted hours. A simple script you can adapt:

If you cannot find the housing authority website or phone number, you can also dial 2-1-1 in many areas or visit your state or city government website and search for “housing authority” or “public housing.”

What You’ll Usually Need Ready

When you apply or update your file, housing authorities commonly require documents to prove identity, income, and household size. Requirements differ, but you can save time by gathering the basics.

Quick Summary: Typical Information Housing Authorities Request

Photo ID for adult household members (state ID, driver’s license, or other accepted ID).
Social Security numbers (or documentation of ineligible/unknown status, depending on the program).
Proof of income: recent pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI, SSDI, TANF, unemployment), or other income records.
Household details: names, dates of birth, and relationship of everyone who will live in the unit.
Current housing situation: address, landlord contact, or explanation if you are homeless or doubled up.
Immigration documents, if applicable and required for eligibility.

One frequent snag is submitting an application without full income documentation, which can delay processing or approval when your name comes up on the list; if you’re missing a document, ask the housing authority what alternatives they accept.

Avoid Mistakes and Scam Warnings

Because housing assistance is valuable and waitlists are long, housing-related scams are common. Being cautious protects your information and money.

Common safety tips:

Application fees: Most public housing and Housing Choice Voucher applications do not charge a fee. If someone asks for money just to “get you on the list” or “guarantee” a voucher, treat it as a red flag.
Official communication: Housing authorities typically contact you by mail, email, or from a clearly identified office number. Be wary of texts or social media messages demanding payment or personal data immediately.
Never pay a third party to “boost your chances.” No private person or company can move you up the official waitlist or promise approval.
Protect your information: Share Social Security numbers, immigration details, and income records only with verified housing authority staff or clearly listed partner agencies.

If this happens → do this:
If someone claims they can “skip the line” for a fee → call the housing authority directly using the phone number from its official website and ask if this person is authorized; if not, do not pay or share documents.

If a Housing Authority Option Doesn’t Work for You

Because of high demand, waitlists are often long or closed, and not everyone will qualify or be selected. That does not necessarily mean there is no help available.

If you cannot get assistance from a housing authority right now, you can:

Ask the housing authority if they have a list of other affordable housing providers or nonprofit partners.
Contact 2-1-1 (where available) and ask about rental assistance, emergency shelter, or affordable housing resources in your area.
Look for state-level programs run by a state housing finance agency or community development department; state websites often list rental assistance, emergency rental assistance (when active), or special programs for certain populations.
Check your city or county government site for local rental assistance or homelessness prevention programs, which are sometimes separate from the housing authority.

Housing authorities are one of the main public gateways to long-term affordable housing, but they are just one part of a broader set of housing resources. Once you know how to find and confirm your local housing authority, you can check openings, get on waitlists when possible, and ask about other options in your area.