Worried about where to start? Here is how to apply for public housing: find an open waiting list at a housing authority, complete the application exactly as instructed, and submit it on time. It costs nothing.
This guide sits within the wider topic of affordable housing and covers the application itself, from eligibility to the waiting list.
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum applicant age | 18 years old |
| Income test | Must be a low income family |
| Admissions reserved for extremely low income families | At least 40 percent per fiscal year |
| Application fee | None; HUD policy bars charging for it |
| Lookback for an eviction from HUD housing | Five years |
| Employment income of household members under 18 | Not counted |
These figures come from HUD’s admission regulation (2014 edition) and Affordable Housing Online’s eligibility guide. Rules and local policies can change, so check the source and your housing authority before you rely on them.
Who can apply for public housing?
Public housing is run locally by a public housing agency, often called a housing authority. As of the 2014 edition of the federal regulations, an applicant must be a family and be income-eligible, and the rule says eligible applicants include single persons.
Affordable Housing Online’s eligibility guide lists the basics:
- You must be at least 18 years old. Minors cannot apply, but they can live in a unit as part of the household.
- You must be a U.S. citizen or have an eligible immigration status.
- Your household income must fall under the limit for the area. The limit is usually posted in a public notice or on the housing authority’s website.
- Every household member goes through a background check of criminal and housing history.
The same guide says a household is immediately disqualified if anyone is on a state lifetime sex offender registry, owes money to a housing authority, or had assistance terminated by a housing authority. It adds the same result if anyone has been evicted from HUD housing in the last five years.
Some common beliefs are wrong. The guide says there is no requirement to have children, and that a household can qualify with no income.
Documents to gather before you start
Having paperwork ready lets you answer quickly if the agency asks you to verify something. A District of Columbia guide lists items that most applicants will need, and the same list is a sensible starting point elsewhere:
- Photo ID for each adult household member.
- Social Security numbers, birth certificates or immigration documents for household members.
- Proof of income, such as pay stubs, award letters for benefits and tax returns.
- A current lease or other proof of address.
- Court records or explanations for any prior evictions or criminal records.
Keep copies somewhere safe. Photos of documents stored in a free cloud service mean a lost phone does not mean lost paperwork.
How to apply for public housing, step by step
The process is the same in most places, though every agency sets its own rules. Follow the housing authority’s instructions to the letter, because applications that break them can be rejected.
- Find an open waiting list. Lists open and close throughout the year, and agencies announce openings in a public notice. Applicants are not required to live in the area to apply to most waiting lists.
- Check preferences and restrictions. Many lists give preference to groups such as elderly people, people with disabilities and local residents. Preferences are not requirements, so you can still apply without one.
- Get the application. It is usually available online, by mail, or in the housing authority’s office. Online forms may need a free portal account and an email address.
- Complete the pre-application. Expect your name, date of birth, Social Security Number or Alien ID, and the gross income of all household members. Be truthful, because false information can disqualify you and can lead to legal trouble.
- Submit it the way you are told. Use only the method named, and meet the deadline. Late applications are disqualified.
Submit only once. Per Affordable Housing Online’s application guide, multiple submissions from the same household will be rejected for almost all waiting list openings.
If you cannot finish the form alone, another person such as a social worker may complete it for you. Disabled applicants can also ask for a reasonable accommodation to apply.
Applying with a criminal record
A record does not end your chances. According to the eligibility guide, a criminal record alone will not disqualify the household, although more serious and recent offenses can make approval harder.
As of the 2014 edition of the regulations, the agency is responsible for screening family behavior and suitability for tenancy. It may weigh past rent payment and any record of disturbing neighbors or destroying property. Another guide says reviewers are supposed to look at the seriousness of the offense, how long ago it happened, and what you have done since.
These steps can strengthen your application:
- Collect proof of treatment or rehabilitation, such as a completed program, job training or steady employment.
- Ask people who know your progress, such as an employer, probation officer or landlord, for letters of support.
- Get a copy of your own record so you know what reviewers will see.
- Report your history accurately on the form.
For how private landlords run checks, see the guide on tenant screening criminal background check.
What happens after you apply
A DC guide says you will usually be placed on a waiting list sorted by preference and application date. Some applicants are invited to an interview or asked for more verification, so respond promptly and keep your contact details current.
The wait varies widely by agency, unit size and preferences. Some lists run months and others several years, so ask your agency for current estimates.
A long wait is common, so it can help to look at other routes in the meantime. The guide on transitional housing vs permanent supportive housing explains two of them.
Homeless veterans have another door. Contact your VA Medical Center to ask about a VASH voucher.
Frequently asked questions
Does it cost money to apply?
Show answer
No. According to Affordable Housing Online, it is against HUD policy for housing authorities to charge for a Section 8 or Public Housing application. Anyone asking for a fee is breaking federal law or running a scam, and you can verify an application by contacting the housing authority named on it.
Do I have to live in the area where I apply?
Show answer
Usually not. Most waiting lists do not require local residence, though some areas have local restrictions and a local-resident preference can shorten your wait.
Can I apply if I have no income or no children?
Show answer
Yes. The eligibility guide says there is no requirement to have a family or children, and no minimum income.
Can a past eviction stop me from getting in?
Show answer
It can. A past eviction may affect eligibility, but a DC guide says each agency reviews circumstances case by case. Provide documentation and ask about the agency’s review or appeal process.
