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Town of Amherst
Amherst, New York
Last Updated
4 hours ago
About Town of Amherst
The Town of Amherst, located in Amherst, Erie County, New York (PHA Code: NY091), administers housing assistance programs for its community. This authority manages approximately 5,696 assisted housing units, predominantly through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, the Housing Rehabilitation Program is open and accepting applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which was previously closed, is anticipated to open soon. Other programs, such as the First-Time Homebuyer Program, are presently closed to new applicants.
For eligibility, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA area is $50,500 per year. Applicants should monitor official announcements from the Town of Amherst for specific program openings and application procedures, especially regarding the upcoming Housing Choice Voucher program.
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Housing Rehabilitation Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for necessary home repairs and currently has approximately a one-year waiting list. Applications can be submitted via phone at (716) 631-7082, mail, email, or fax.
Housing Rehabilitation Program Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for home repairs and has approximately a one-year waiting list. Applications can be submitted via phone, mail, email, or fax.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This Housing Rehabilitation Program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for home repairs and has approximately a one-year waiting list.
Other (Housing Rehabilitation Program) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for home repairs and has approximately a one-year waiting list. Applications can be submitted via phone at (716) 631-7082, mail, email, or fax.
other Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This Housing Rehabilitation Program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for home repairs and has approximately a one-year waiting list.
Other Programs
7 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.
No waitlist information currently available for this program.
This program is currently closed to new applicants.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) provide rental assistance that tenants can use in the private market. The voucher covers a portion of rent, with tenants typically paying 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants can choose any housing that meets program requirements.
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.
Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Units range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, with rent typically set at 30% of household income.
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 Town of Amherst 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 Town of Amherst
Check Current Status
Town of Amherst currently has 5 open waiting lists (Housing Rehabilitation, Housing Rehabilitation Program, Other, Other (Housing Rehabilitation Program), other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Town of Amherst, 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 $50,500/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 Town of Amherst portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Town of Amherst, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Town of Amherst manages approximately 5,696 assisted housing units (5,696 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Amherst. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Town of Amherst
Housing Rehabilitation open
The Housing Rehabilitation program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Housing Rehabilitation Program open
The Housing Rehabilitation Program program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other open
The Other program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other (Housing Rehabilitation Program) open
The Other (Housing Rehabilitation Program) program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
other open
The other program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
First-Time Homebuyer closed
The First-Time Homebuyer program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
First-Time Homebuyer Program closed
The First-Time Homebuyer Program program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. 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 Town of Amherst 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 Amherst. This program serves approximately 5,696 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 Town of Amherst 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 Town of Amherst are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Amherst. 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 Town of Amherst 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Town of Amherst converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Amherst maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Town of Amherst free?
How long is the wait at Town of Amherst?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Town of Amherst?
What are the income limits for Town of Amherst?
Town of Amherst Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Town of Amherst are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,500. 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 | $21,250 | $35,350 | $56,600 |
| 2 Persons | $24,250 | $40,400 | $64,650 |
| 3 Persons | $27,300 | $45,450 | $72,750 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,500 | $80,800 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,550 | $87,300 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,600 | $93,750 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $62,650 | $100,200 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $66,700 | $106,700 |
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 Town of Amherst — including across state lines.