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Houston Housing Authority
Houston, Texas
Last Updated
4 hours ago
About Houston Housing Authority
The Houston Housing Authority (HHA), located in Houston, Harris County, Texas (PHA Code: TX005), manages approximately 21,966 assisted housing units. This portfolio includes 19,237 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units and 2,729 Public Housing units.
The HHA offers various housing programs, such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) programs. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed. Recent activity shows the RAD and Mainstream programs changed from an unknown status to closed.
For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit in the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area is $50,550 per year. As all lists are closed, individuals seeking assistance should monitor for future announcements regarding waitlist openings.
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Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens Jun 15, 2026
Application Window
Jun 15, 2026 – Jun 26, 2026
Details
Waitlists for eight public housing properties are scheduled to open for one week in June. Initial dates were announced as June 15 to June 26, 2026, though a spokesperson stated these dates are yet to be confirmed. Households on the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist may be notified of an opportunity to crosslist their application to join the public housing waitlists without a lottery. Some properties are for tenants 62 and older.
Other Programs
5 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.
The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is currently closed and was last open in September 2016. Previous openings included preferences for homeless individuals and transition-age youth aging out of foster care, with selection potentially by lottery.
The Mainstream program waiting list is currently closed.
The Project-Based Voucher waiting list is currently closed; applications were last accepted on April 10, 2025, for Project-Based Vouchers at Rosemary's Place for applicants with referrals from homeless response agencies. Rental assistance is tied to a specific complex.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program waiting list is currently closed; applications for rent relief at 20 different properties were open from May 1, 2025, to May 16, 2025, via HHA's Rent Cafe portal.
Applications for rent relief at 20 different properties were open from May 1, 2025, to May 16, 2025, via HHA's Rent Cafe portal. These programs reportedly have shorter wait times.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Houston Housing Authority 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 Houston Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All waiting lists at Houston Housing Authority are currently closed, but 1 list is expected to open soon. Prepare your documents now so you can apply immediately when the window opens.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Houston 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 $50,550/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 Houston Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Houston Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Houston Housing Authority manages approximately 21,966 assisted housing units (19,237 Section 8, 2,729 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Houston. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Houston Housing Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Houston 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 Houston. This program serves approximately 19,237 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 Houston 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Houston Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Houston. 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 Houston Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Houston Housing Authority manages approximately 2,729 Public Housing units in Houston. 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 Houston Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Houston maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Site-Specific Voucher Programs closed
The Site-Specific Voucher Programs program at Houston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Houston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Houston Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Houston Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Houston Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Houston Housing Authority?
Houston Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Houston Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,550. 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 | $35,400 | $56,650 |
| 2 Persons | $24,300 | $40,450 | $64,750 |
| 3 Persons | $27,350 | $45,500 | $72,850 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,550 | $80,900 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,600 | $87,400 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,650 | $93,850 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $62,700 | $100,350 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $66,750 | $106,800 |
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 Houston Housing Authority — including across state lines.