How to Apply for Low-Income Local Public Housing
Housing costs can take up a substantial portion of a low-income family's monthly budget. For households that qualify, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development offers housing assistance. Housing assistance is available through both project-based and tenant-based subsidies. The project-based subsidy is not portable, meaning the subsidy is attached to the apartment. The newer Housing Choice Voucher program allows participants to take the subsidy with them if they move and to choose where they live as long as the apartment or home passes inspection and the landlord agrees to accept the subsidy. Although funded by the federal government, local public housing authorities screen applicants and administer the programs.
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Things You'll Need
- Social Security cards
- Birth certificates
- Identification
- W-2s or tax returns
Instructions
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Locate the public housing authority offices in your area or in the area where you plan to live. The HUD website offers a search option to assist you in locating the PHA offices (see Resources).
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Submit your application to the PHA office directly. Although you may find the actual application online, most PHA offices do not allow you to submit your application online. In addition, most have specific days and hours when they accept applications.
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Update each PHA office with your contact information if you move or change your telephone number. In most cases, you will need to do this in person.
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Tips & Warnings
In general, all applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible noncitizens, and the household must meet income requirements. Household income must be below 50 percent of the median income for the area (see Resources).
Almost all PHAs have waiting lists. To increase your chances of obtaining assistance, apply to both programs and apply to more than one PHA. Each PHA list is a separate list.
If you have someone in your household who is elderly or disabled, or you are homeless, make sure you mention this as it may give you a preference that will move you up the list faster.
In most cases, you will need Social Security cards, birth certificates and identification for all members of the household. You will also need income information for all adults in the household for at least the last year.
Although you may qualify if your income is below 50 percent of the median income, federal law requires that 75 percent of all available housing be awarded to households with income below 30 percent of the area median.
