Public Housing
What is the Public Housing program?
Public Housing is a government-funded program that provides rental housing to low-income households. Renters in Public Housing units pay 30% of their income for rent* while some units may have a low fixed rent amount. Some of the buildings are older and more basic. This subsidy generally stays with the building; when you move out you no longer have the rental assistance.
* Example of rent at 30% of income: Household with one full-time worker at $7.25/hour might pay $348 per month.
How does it work?
You apply at a housing authority for a unit based on the bedroom size needed to accommodate the number of members in your household. Some units are reserved only for households that are elderly or disabled. The waiting list you apply for may be long and it may take several months for your name to get to the top of the list. Once you are selected from the waiting list you may be offered a small selection of units to choose from as there may be a limited number of available units.
Do I qualify?
To qualify you must fall within the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s required income limits.
How do I apply?
Although the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding for Public Housing, local housing authorities administer the program. Waiting lists for public housing can often be long or closed. View the Housing Authority Waiting List to find out about openings in the metro area.
Public Housing is a government-funded program that provides rental housing to low-income households. Renters in Public Housing units pay 30% of their income for rent* while some units may have a low fixed rent amount. Some of the buildings are older and more basic. This subsidy generally stays with the building; when you move out you no longer have the rental assistance.
* Example of rent at 30% of income: Household with one full-time worker at $7.25/hour might pay $348 per month.
How does it work?
You apply at a housing authority for a unit based on the bedroom size needed to accommodate the number of members in your household. Some units are reserved only for households that are elderly or disabled. The waiting list you apply for may be long and it may take several months for your name to get to the top of the list. Once you are selected from the waiting list you may be offered a small selection of units to choose from as there may be a limited number of available units.
Do I qualify?
To qualify you must fall within the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s required income limits.
How do I apply?
Although the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding for Public Housing, local housing authorities administer the program. Waiting lists for public housing can often be long or closed. View the Housing Authority Waiting List to find out about openings in the metro area.
How do I search for Public Housing online?
You can search for Public Housing right from HousingLink’s homepage. Simply select rent = % income as the maximum rent, click Submit, and view the results page to see public housing and project based Section 8 units.
Is there anything that can keep me from getting into public housing?
Ask the housing authority what their screening criteria are, and if there are any issues that automatically disqualify prospective renters. The housing authority may conduct a credit, rental, and criminal history check for each adult that will be occupying the unit.
You can search for Public Housing right from HousingLink’s homepage. Simply select rent = % income as the maximum rent, click Submit, and view the results page to see public housing and project based Section 8 units.
Is there anything that can keep me from getting into public housing?
Ask the housing authority what their screening criteria are, and if there are any issues that automatically disqualify prospective renters. The housing authority may conduct a credit, rental, and criminal history check for each adult that will be occupying the unit.