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Bay County Housing Department
Essexville, Michigan
Last Updated
7 hours ago
About Bay County Housing Department
The Bay County Housing Department (PHA Code: MI166) manages affordable housing programs in Essexville, Bay County, Michigan. Currently, the waitlists for Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Public Housing programs are open for new applications. Please note that the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is currently closed.
To qualify for assistance, applicants must meet specific income limits. For a family of four in the Bay City, MI MSA area, the Very Low Income limit is $41,850 per year. Prospective applicants should verify current income guidelines with the housing department. Recent activity indicates the Public Housing waitlist has changed from unknown to open, while the HCV waitlist changed from unknown to closed.
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Household Assistance Program Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online, Phone, Email
Additional Notes
This program offers one-time grants of up to $3,000 to assist eligible Bay County residents (outside Bay City limits) with delinquent property taxes, mortgage, rent, and utility payments due to COVID-19 hardship. Funds are available on a first come, first completed application basis.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 29, 2021
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
The Project-Based Voucher waiting list for apartments at Center Ridge Arms is currently open. Preferences include homeless, disabled, and residency (county, Michigan, out-of-state) and applicants are placed by date and time, weighed by preferences.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person or Mail or Phone
Additional Notes
The Bay County Housing Commission allows families with children to apply only if they qualify for a one-bedroom unit; it serves families and senior/disabled individuals.
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 Bay County Housing Department's Section 8 waiting list is closed.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program incentivizes private development of affordable rental housing. Properties receiving tax credits must reserve a percentage of units for income-eligible tenants at below-market rents.
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.
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 Bay County Housing Department 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 Bay County Housing Department
Check Current Status
Bay County Housing Department currently has 3 open waiting lists (Household Assistance Program, PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Bay County Housing Department, 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 $41,850/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 Bay County Housing Department portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Bay County Housing Department, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wait times vary from 6 months to over 5 years depending on local demand and funding. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Bay County Housing Department
Household Assistance Program open
The Household Assistance Program program at Bay County Housing Department provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Essexville. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Bay County Housing Department are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Essexville. 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.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Bay County Housing Department 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.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Bay County Housing Department 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 Essexville. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
LIHTC closed
The LIHTC program at Bay County Housing Department provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Essexville. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Bay County Housing Department 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Bay County Housing Department converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Essexville maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Bay County Housing Department free?
How long is the wait at Bay County Housing Department?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Bay County Housing Department?
What are the income limits for Bay County Housing Department?
Bay County Housing Department Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Bay County Housing Department are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bay City, MI MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $41,850. 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 | $17,600 | $29,300 | $46,900 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $33,500 | $53,600 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $37,700 | $60,300 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $41,850 | $66,950 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $45,200 | $72,350 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $51,900 | $83,050 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $55,250 | $88,400 |
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 Bay County Housing Department — including across state lines.