Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in Texas
Texas has 379 housing authorities managing a combined 1264 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 512 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 41%. This data was last verified on Jun 1, 2026.
Seeking affordable housing assistance in Texas involves navigating a comprehensive system with 379 housing authorities managing a total of 1115 waiting lists statewide. Currently, 416 of these lists are open, representing a 37% open rate, while 489 are closed. The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) is a key state agency involved in many of these crucial housing initiatives.
Specific programs offer varying levels of availability. For instance, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 90 open lists out of 379, while Public Housing offers more openings with 216 lists currently accepting applications out of 375. Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) also have 33 open lists out of 106. Notably, some programs like Mainstream vouchers currently have no open lists out of 42, while others such as VASH have 6 open lists and Farm Labor Housing has 2 open lists. A key local tip for Texas applicants is to prioritize Project-Based Vouchers, which are often attached to specific apartment communities and may have shorter wait times compared to general voucher lists.
For those looking in specific areas, Austin has 3 housing authorities with all 3 reporting open lists, and Fort Worth also has 2 housing authorities with 2 open lists. Fabens has 2 housing authorities with 5 open lists, indicating multiple opportunities. In other cities, Sherman has 3 HAs with 1 open list, and Dallas has 2 HAs with 1 open list. Recent activity shows dynamic shifts in availability, such as the Jim Hogg County Housing Authority in Hebbronville changing its HCV list from closed to open. Applicants are encouraged to regularly check for updates and new openings across various programs and locations.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in Texas include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (111 open), Public Housing (228 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (40 open), RAD (5 open), Mainstream (1 open), VASH (6 open). 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 Texas right now are San Marcos (21), Laredo (15), Hughes Springs (9), Nacogdoches (7), and Port Lavaca (7) . 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: Arlington Housing Works — Other (closes Dec 26, 2030)
Eligibility Requirements for Texas
To qualify for assistance in Texas, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
- 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 Texas legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.