Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Arizona
Arizona has 23 housing authorities managing a combined 190 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 61 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 32%. This data was last verified on Apr 15, 2026.
Arizona's affordable housing landscape is managed by 23 housing authorities, overseeing a total of 170 waiting lists. Currently, 54 of these lists are open, representing a 32% open rate, while 56 lists are closed. The Arizona Department of Housing serves as the state housing agency. For those seeking assistance, it's helpful to note that Maricopa County independently covers the greater Phoenix metropolitan area, while Tucson's housing assistance is managed through Pima County.
A variety of programs offer support across the state. Public Housing programs show the most open lists, with 9 out of 21 lists currently accepting applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 4 open lists out of 23, and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) have 3 open lists from 16. Other programs include VASH with 2 open lists from 5, and FUP with 2 open lists from 3. Applicants might also find specific opportunities like Permanent Supportive Housing, LIHTC, Rose Terrace Apartments, Senior Apartments, and Various Locations, each with 1 open list. While some programs like Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) and Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) currently have no open lists, it’s advisable to monitor their status.
Geographically, housing opportunities vary. Phoenix has 3 housing authorities with a combined 4 open lists, while Tucson has 2 housing authorities with 1 open list. Smaller cities like Eloy and Flagstaff each have 1 housing authority managing 3 open lists, and Chandler has 1 housing authority with 1 open list. Recent activity highlights the dynamic nature of these lists; for instance, the Housing Authority of Maricopa County in Peoria saw its Public Housing list change from closed to open, and then back to closed. Meanwhile, Mohave County Housing Authority in Kingman changed its Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS (HOPWA) list from unknown to open. These fluctuations emphasize the importance of regularly checking for openings in your desired location and for specific program types.
The affordable housing programs tracked in Arizona include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (4 open), Public Housing (8 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (4 open), Mainstream (1 open), RAD (1 open), VASH (2 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 Arizona right now are Peoria (25), Yuma (8), Mesa (5), Kingman (5), and Phoenix (4) . 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: Chandler Housing & Redevelopment Division — Public Housing (closes Apr 17, 2026)
Eligibility Requirements for Arizona
To qualify for assistance in Arizona, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Arizona Department of Housing.
- 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 Arizona legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Arizona Department of Housing to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.