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Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Baltimore, Maryland
Last Updated
14 hours ago
About Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
The Housing Authority Of Baltimore City (HABC), situated in Baltimore, Baltimore City County, Maryland (PHA Code: MD002), administers various housing assistance programs. HABC manages a substantial portfolio of approximately 27,896 assisted housing units, which includes 21,308 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 6,588 Public Housing units.
HABC currently offers programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Public Housing. It is important to note that all waiting lists for these programs are presently closed, and the authority is not accepting new applications at this time.
For context on eligibility, the very low income limit for a family of four in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA area is set at $65,150 per year. Prospective applicants should monitor official HABC communications for any announcements regarding future waiting list openings, as no applications are being processed currently.
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Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Aug 17, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
A lottery system selects applicants from pre-applications. Income must not exceed 50% of the area median, and applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens. Preferences are given for senior (62+), mixed population (elderly or disabled), and accessible housing.
Other Programs
4 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 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) waiting list is closed to new applicants, last accepting applications from October 2, 2023, to October 13, 2023. No reopening date is announced.
The Mainstream Voucher program's waiting list is currently closed.
The Section 8 Project-Based Voucher waiting list, including for Senior and Non-Elderly Persons with Disabilities for 1-Bedroom units, is closed with no announced reopening date.
This program's waiting list is currently closed.
Status History
Deadline: Aug 31, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Check Current Status
Housing Authority Of Baltimore City currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City, 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 $65,150/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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority Of Baltimore City manages approximately 27,896 assisted housing units (21,308 Section 8, 6,588 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Baltimore. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority Of Baltimore City manages approximately 6,588 Public Housing units in Baltimore. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties. The application window closes on August 31, 2026.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 Baltimore. This program serves approximately 21,308 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Baltimore. 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 (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Baltimore maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
Housing Authority Of Baltimore City Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $65,150. 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 | $27,400 | $45,650 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $31,300 | $52,150 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $35,200 | $58,650 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $39,100 | $65,150 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $42,250 | $70,400 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $45,400 | $75,600 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $80,800 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $86,000 | $137,550 |
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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City — including across state lines.