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Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority
Spencer, Iowa
Last Updated
7 hours ago
About Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority
The Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority, located in Spencer, Clay County, Iowa (PHA Code: IA129), manages housing assistance programs for its service area. The authority oversees approximately 1,086 assisted housing units, primarily through the administration of 1,086 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). Both the Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing program waitlists are currently open for applications.
Applicants interested in assistance should note that the HCV program and Public Housing program are presently accepting new applications. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit in the Clay County, Iowa area is $48,900 per year. These programs aim to assist eligible low-income families and individuals in accessing affordable housing opportunities.
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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications must be complete. Residency preferences are based on documentation submitted within five business days. Proof of local residency is preferred. Briefings are in-person and limited to 25 seats.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority is accepting pre-applications for Public Housing. Residency preferences are given to applicants who have lived in one of their 14 counties for a minimum of one year and provide three proofs of residency. Applicants must meet specific income and household criteria below HUD local limits, be U.S. Citizens or have eligible legal status, and pass a criminal background check. Applications must be complete to be accepted. If an applicant declines two invitations, their application will be purged from the waitlist.
Other Programs
3 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.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority 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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority currently has 2 open waiting lists (HCV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority, 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 $48,900/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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority manages approximately 1,086 assisted housing units (1,086 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Spencer. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority 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 Spencer. This program serves approximately 1,086 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority 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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority 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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Spencer. 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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Spencer maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority?
Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Clay County, IA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $48,900. 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 | $20,550 | $34,250 | $54,800 |
| 2 Persons | $23,500 | $39,150 | $62,600 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $44,050 | $70,450 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $48,900 | $78,250 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $52,850 | $84,550 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $56,750 | $90,800 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $60,650 | $97,050 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $64,550 | $103,300 |
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 Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority — including across state lines.