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Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Buffalo, New York
Last Updated
5 hours ago
About Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA), located in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, manages approximately 978 assisted housing units, primarily through 978 Housing Choice Vouchers. Currently, BMHA is accepting applications for its Public Housing program and its "Other" program waitlists.
The waitlists for the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs are presently closed. For a family of four, the very low income limit for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA area is $50,500 annually. Prospective applicants should confirm eligibility criteria and current program statuses directly with the housing authority.
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Marine Drive Apartments Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person or Mail
Additional Notes
This is BMHA's only New York State-governed public housing development. Applicants must meet income eligibility, citizenship/immigration status, and pass background checks. Pre-screening interviews are required when applications are dropped off.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person, Mail
Additional Notes
Marine Drive Apartments, a New York State-governed public housing development, requires pre-screening interviews when applications are dropped off. Applicants must meet income guidelines, citizenship/immigration status, and pass background checks.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person or Mail
Additional Notes
This New York State-governed public housing development requires pre-screening interviews; applicants must meet income, citizenship, and pass background checks.
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.
In 2022, 4,000 applicants were chosen by lottery, with preferences for those terminated from the HCV program due to insufficient funding or referred by Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) program agencies.
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.
No specific information found for BMHA's Mainstream program waitlist status.
No specific information found for BMHA's RAD program waitlist status.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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
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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Marine Drive Apartments, Other, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, 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
Contact Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority directly at to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority manages approximately 978 assisted housing units (978 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Buffalo. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Marine Drive Apartments open
The Marine Drive Apartments program at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Buffalo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other open
The Other program at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Buffalo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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 Buffalo. This program serves approximately 978 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Buffalo. 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.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Buffalo maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority — including across state lines.