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About The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus

The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus (PHA Code: MS076) is situated in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi. This authority manages approximately 480 assisted housing units. Its programs historically include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Mainstream, Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), and RAD programs.

All waiting lists for the Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are currently closed, and new applications are not being accepted. This applies to HCV, Public Housing, PBV, and Mainstream programs, among others. Notably, PBV and Mainstream programs recently transitioned from an unknown status to closed. For those seeking assistance, the very low-income limit for a family of four in the Lowndes County, MS area is $39,850 per year.

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Opening Soon

1 upcoming

Public Housing Waitlist

Opens in 16 days
Opening: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
16
Days
5
Hrs
26
Min
Current Status

Currently Closed — Opens Jun 17, 2026

Application Window

Jun 17, 2026 – Jun 17, 2026

Details

The Public Housing waitlist will open for a one-day application window; families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

You'll be notified when this waitlist opens. Get your documents ready now.

Other Programs

6 programs

These 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.

EHV
Closed

All waiting lists for EHV are currently closed; families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV)
Closed

All waiting lists are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

All waiting lists for HCV are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Mainstream Voucher
Closed

All waiting lists for Mainstream are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

All waiting lists for PBV are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Closed

All waiting lists for RAD are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Closed May 22, 2026
RAD Closed Apr 27, 2026
EHV Closed Apr 27, 2026
PBV Closed Apr 1, 2026
Mainstream Closed Apr 1, 2026
HCV Closed Apr 1, 2026
Public Housing Opening Soon Mar 20, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 20, 2026
Public Housing Opened Mar 18, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 11, 2026
Public Housing Opened Mar 4, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 28, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 26, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus directly to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Contact the housing authority directly for application information.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 914 4th St S
City Columbus, MS 39701
PHA Code MS076
Public Housing Units 480

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus

1

Check Current Status

All waiting lists at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are currently closed, but 1 list is expected to open soon. Prepare your documents now so you can apply immediately when the window opens.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, 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 $39,850/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus directly at to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus manages approximately 480 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Columbus. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus

EHV closed

The EHV program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Columbus. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Columbus. 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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 Columbus. 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Columbus. 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 closed

Public Housing units at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus manages approximately 480 Public Housing units in Columbus. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Columbus maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus administers 7 programs (EHV, Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority or in person at their office at 914 4th St S, Columbus, MS.
How long is the wait at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
Wait times at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus depend on demand in Columbus, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 480 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on May 22, 2026 when the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) list changed from "unknown" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, including Mississippi Regional Housing Authority No. IV (7 mi), The Housing Authority of the City of West Point (14 mi), Housing Authority of the Town of Kennedy (21 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Mississippi and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Mississippi.
How do I contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
You can reach The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus by phone at (662) 328-4236. Their office is located at 914 4th St S, Columbus, MS 39701. You can also email them at colhou@chauthority.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
Income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Lowndes County, MS (currently $79,700). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $39,850. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus Income Limits

Income limits for programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Lowndes County, MS. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $39,850. 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 $16,750 $27,900 $44,650
2 Persons $21,150 $31,900 $51,000
3 Persons $26,650 $35,900 $57,400
4 Persons $32,150 $39,850 $63,750
5 Persons $37,650 $43,050 $68,850
6 Persons $43,150 $46,250 $73,950
7 Persons $48,650 $49,450 $79,050
8 Persons $52,650 $52,650 $84,150
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $79,700 Effective April 1, 2025
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.