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Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Last Updated
8 hours ago
About Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Cedar Rapids Housing Services, located in Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa (PHA Code: IA024), manages approximately 1,316 assisted housing units. These consist entirely of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, offering rental assistance to eligible households within its jurisdiction.
Currently, all waiting lists for Cedar Rapids Housing Services programs are closed. This includes the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Homeownership, Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and RAD programs. No applications are being accepted at this time.
For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Cedar Rapids, IA HUD Metro FMR Area is $50,800 per year. Prospective applicants are advised to directly contact Cedar Rapids Housing Services for any future updates on program availability or waiting list openings.
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First Time Home Buyer Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 30, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The program opened on March 30th and operates annually until funds are exhausted on a first-come, first-served basis. Applicants must be first-time buyers, meet income and debt/mortgage criteria, and purchase an eligible property within Cedar Rapids city limits outside the 100-year flood plain.
Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Opening date arrived — check if accepting applications
Details
The next opening for 'Individual & Family Housing' at Cedar Rapids Housing Services is announced for Monday, June 1, 2026, at 8:00 AM; application details are not yet available.
Other Programs
8 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
The Section 8 waiting list is currently closed for an undetermined time. Applications were last accepted on October 14, 2019, in-person at the Veterans Memorial Building; residency preferences and lottery details are not confirmed.
The ROOTs homeownership program currently has no properties available for purchase, making new applications effectively closed. Applicants must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Currently, no properties are available for the ROOTs Program. Interested applicants can be added to a list to be contacted if properties become available. Applicants must be at or below 80% Area Median Income, be city-approved, and secure additional financing. Applications can be submitted via fax, mail, or hand-delivery.
Currently, no properties are available for the ROOTs Program. Applicants must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and receive City approval before entering a purchase agreement. Interested applicants can contact Housing Services to be added to a list for future opportunities.
The ROOTs homeownership program currently has no properties available; interested applicants can contact Housing Services to be added to a list. Eligibility requires applicants to be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) by household size and approved by the City before entering a purchase agreement.
No current waiting list information found for this program.
No current waiting list information found for this program.
No current waiting list information found for this program.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Cedar Rapids Housing Services portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Check Current Status
Cedar Rapids Housing Services currently has 1 open waiting list (First Time Home Buyer). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Cedar Rapids Housing Services, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $50,800/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Cedar Rapids Housing Services portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Cedar Rapids Housing Services, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Cedar Rapids Housing Services manages approximately 1,316 assisted housing units (1,316 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cedar Rapids. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Cedar Rapids Housing Services
First Time Home Buyer open
The First Time Home Buyer program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Cedar Rapids. This program serves approximately 1,316 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Homeownership closed
The Homeownership program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Homeownership (ROOTs Program) closed
The Homeownership (ROOTs Program) program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Homeownership (ROOTs) closed
The Homeownership (ROOTs) program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other (Homeownership - ROOTs Program) closed
The Other (Homeownership - ROOTs Program) program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Cedar Rapids Housing Services are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Cedar Rapids Housing Services are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Cedar Rapids Housing Services are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Cedar Rapids. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Cedar Rapids maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Cedar Rapids Housing Services free?
How long is the wait at Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
What are the income limits for Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
Cedar Rapids Housing Services Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Cedar Rapids Housing Services are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Cedar Rapids, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,800. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $21,350 | $35,600 | $56,950 |
| 2 Persons | $24,400 | $40,650 | $65,050 |
| 3 Persons | $27,450 | $45,750 | $73,200 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,800 | $81,300 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,900 | $87,850 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,950 | $94,350 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $63,000 | $100,850 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $67,100 | $107,350 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Cedar Rapids Housing Services — including across state lines.