Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico has 75 housing authorities managing a combined 363 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 162 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 45%. This data was last verified on Jun 18, 2026.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in Puerto Rico include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (5 open), Public Housing (48 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (62 open), Mainstream (2 open), RAD. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in Puerto Rico right now are Canovanas (13), San Juan (12), Fajardo (11), Aguas Buenas (8), and Hormigueros (6) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Municipality of Naranjito — PBV
Eligibility Requirements for Puerto Rico
To qualify for assistance in Puerto Rico, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the the local Housing Authority.
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official Puerto Rico legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with the local Housing Authority to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.