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Last Updated
6 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
The Housing Authority of the City of Columbia (PHA Code: MO007), located in Columbia, Boone County, Missouri, manages approximately 1,952 assisted housing units. This includes 1,902 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 50 Public Housing units.
Currently, the Public Housing program is open for applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs are closed to new applicants. Waitlist statuses can change; for example, the PBV waitlist has recently fluctuated between open and closed. For eligibility, a family of four must generally meet the Very Low Income limit, which is $52,900 per year in the Columbia, MO HUD Metro FMR Area.
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Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Preferences include Veterans, families with at least one adult working 20+ hours per week, or where the head/co-head/spouse has a disability or is elderly (55 or older). Applications may be denied for violent/drug-related criminal activity, outstanding debts to housing authorities, or prior evictions.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preferences include Veterans, families with at least one adult working 20+ hours per week, or where the head/co-head/spouse has a disability or is elderly (55 or older). Applications may be denied for violent/drug-related criminal activity, outstanding debts to housing authorities, or prior evictions.
Other Programs
1 programThese 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.
Preferences when open include working families (20+ hours/week for 60 days), persons with disabilities, elderly (62+), or honorably discharged veterans; applications were previously lottery-based.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Columbia 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 the City of Columbia
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia currently has 2 open waiting lists (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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, 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 $52,900/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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Columbia manages approximately 1,952 assisted housing units (1,902 Section 8, 50 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Columbia. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Columbia. 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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Columbia manages approximately 50 Public Housing units in Columbia. 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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia 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 Columbia. This program serves approximately 1,902 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Columbia, MO HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $52,900. 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 | $22,250 | $37,050 | $59,300 |
| 2 Persons | $25,400 | $42,350 | $67,750 |
| 3 Persons | $28,600 | $47,650 | $76,200 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $52,900 | $84,650 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $57,150 | $91,450 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $61,400 | $98,200 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $65,600 | $105,000 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $69,850 | $111,750 |
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 the City of Columbia — including across state lines.