Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Texas
Texas has 379 housing authorities managing a combined 1032 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 357 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 35%. This data was last verified on Mar 15, 2026.
The affordable housing programs tracked in Texas include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (90 open), Public Housing (194 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (31 open), RAD (5 open), Mainstream, VASH (3 open). Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Texas right now are Belton (7), Laredo (6), Fabens (5), Weslaco (5), and Hidalgo (5) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Schertz Housing Authority — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for Texas
To qualify for assistance in Texas, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Texas legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.