Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Arkansas
Arkansas has 127 housing authorities managing a combined 461 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 226 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 49%. This data was last verified on Jun 18, 2026.
Arkansas provides various affordable housing assistance programs across the state. Currently, 127 housing authorities manage a total of 382 waiting lists for different types of assistance. As of now, 169 of these lists are open, representing a 44% open rate, while 116 lists are closed. The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) serves as the state's housing agency.
Applicants in Arkansas can find several program types available. Public Housing is widely offered, with 127 lists, of which 98 are currently open. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 126 lists, with 32 open for applications. Other programs include Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) with 5 open lists out of 32, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) with 3 open lists from 30, and Mainstream vouchers with 1 open list out of 23. Specialized programs such as TBRA, Multifamily Housing, LIHTC Property, Elderly/Disabled Housing (Twin River), FUP, Affordable Housing, Homeownership, Wren Village Apartments, Senior Designated Housing, and Emergency Housing Voucher also have open lists.
For those seeking assistance, a local tip suggests that Arkansas Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) are often spread across rural counties, which may offer smaller waitlists. However, areas like Little Rock and Northwest Arkansas, including Fayetteville, experience the highest demand. Cities with multiple housing authorities include McGehee, with 3 HAs and 6 open lists; Morrilton with 2 HAs and 2 open lists; and Dardanelle with 2 HAs and 3 open lists. Forrest City and Harrison each have 2 HAs with 1 open list. Waitlist statuses can change, as demonstrated by the Hot Springs Housing Authority in Hot Springs recently changing its HCV list from closed to open, or the Housing Authority of the City of Waldron changing its HCV list from open to closed. It is advisable to explore options in various locations and monitor list statuses for the best chance of securing assistance.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in Arkansas include Public Housing (103 open), Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (53 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (9 open), RAD (2 open), Mainstream (1 open), VASH. 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 Arkansas right now are Lake City (22), Pocahontas (21), Warren (11), Newport (9), and McGehee (6) . 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: Russellville Housing Authority — Public Housing
Eligibility Requirements for Arkansas
To qualify for assistance in Arkansas, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA).
- 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 Arkansas legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.