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About Burlington Housing Authority

Burlington Housing Authority (PHA Code: VT001) serves Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont. The authority manages approximately 2,467 assisted housing units, which include 2,467 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Currently, Burlington Housing Authority is accepting applications for several housing programs. These include Continuum of Care (CoC), Non-Elderly Disabled Program (NED), Other Rental Assistance (CoC Grants), Other Rental Assistance Programs, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD).

Applicants should be aware of income limits. For a family of four in the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA area, the Very Low Income limit is $64,900 per year. Interested individuals and families should review specific program requirements when applying.

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Affordable Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

May 20, 2024

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This waitlist opened on May 20, 2024, for Burlington Homes and Spencer Brown Thomas Homes, requiring applicants to be 62 years of age or older, and Section 8 vouchers/HCV are not accepted.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Application window open
Deadline: Thursday, December 26, 2030
1577
Days
15
Hrs
32
Min

Additional Notes

This program is for Head of Household (HoH) under 62 with a disability and is a Section 8 voucher.

Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The NED program assists single, disabled individuals under age 62 or families where the head of household or spouse is disabled and under age 62. Application is via the preliminary application for housing/rental assistance.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

May 20, 2024

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Continuum of Care (CoC) grants provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services. Applications can be picked up in person or printed from their website.

CoC

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Provides rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services.

Continuum of Care (CoC)

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

CoC grants provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services, with applications available for pickup in person at BHA offices or for printing.

Continuum of Care (CoC) Grants

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

CoC grants provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services. Applications can be picked up in person at BHA offices or printed.

Multiple (Preliminary Application)

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Applications are for assisted housing and rental assistance programs, generally considered in order of receipt, with priority for Chittenden County residents. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and other factors, requiring Social Security cards for all household members.

Offender Re-Entry (ORHP)

Status

open

How to Apply

Referral

Additional Notes

This program is open to participants returning to or living in Chittenden County, Vermont, and under Vermont Department of Corrections supervision. Referrals are made by Department of Corrections Staff. Preference is given to applicants with at least one year of supervision, and the program is open to those with major mental health problems, developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, and other disabilities if a treatment team is in place.

Rental Assistance (CoC Grants)

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Income limits apply, and applications can be picked up, requested by phone, or downloaded online.

The Courtyard

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

This is one of the various open waiting lists managed by the Burlington Housing Authority.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Applications for BHA-owned properties are continuously accepted. Priority is given to residents of Chittenden County. Wait times can be two to four years.

Other Programs

6 programs

These 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.

Family Unification Program (FUP)
Closed

The Family Unification Program (FUP) currently has no open waiting lists.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

As there are a limited number of Housing Choice Vouchers available, most applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The wait for assistance can be five years or longer. The wait for a property can be two to four years.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

Project-Based Program Voucher (PBV) provides rental assistance attached to specific apartments. Applications can be picked up in person or printed from a link.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Closed

Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) properties are BHA-owned PBV properties where preference is given to elderly individuals (62+) or people living with disabilities.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
Closed

VASH vouchers are for veterans referred to BHA through the Veterans Administration.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Other Programs — CoC Grants
Pending

No active waitlist information is currently available for Continuum of Care (CoC) grants, which provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Mainstream Opened Jul 29, 2026

Deadline: Dec 26, 2030

RAD Closed Jun 17, 2026
PBV Closed Jun 17, 2026
NED Opened May 16, 2026
Other Opened May 15, 2026
FUP Closed Apr 20, 2026
Public Housing Opening Soon Apr 11, 2026
Other Opened Apr 3, 2026
VASH Closed Apr 2, 2026
Mainstream Closed Mar 31, 2026
Other Opened Mar 31, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 6, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 18, 2026
RAD Opened Feb 18, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Burlington 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

Address 65 Main St
City Burlington, VT 05401
PHA Code VT001
Section 8 Units 2,467

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Burlington Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Burlington Housing Authority currently has 12 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Mainstream Voucher, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher, Other Programs, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Burlington 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 $64,900/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Burlington Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Burlington Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Burlington Housing Authority manages approximately 2,467 assisted housing units (2,467 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Burlington. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Burlington Housing Authority

Affordable Affordable Housing open

The Affordable Housing program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at Burlington 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. The application window closes on December 26, 2030.

NED Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher open

The Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Burlington 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.

FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) closed

The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Burlington 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 Burlington. This program serves approximately 2,467 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Burlington Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Burlington. 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Burlington Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Burlington maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) closed

The HUD-VASH program at Burlington Housing Authority combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Burlington. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Burlington Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Burlington Housing Authority administers 10 programs (Affordable Housing, Mainstream Voucher, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher, Other Programs, Public Housing, Family Unification Program (FUP), Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 65 Main St, Burlington, VT.
How long is the wait at Burlington Housing Authority?
Wait times at Burlington Housing Authority depend on demand in Burlington, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 2,467 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on July 29, 2026 when the Mainstream Voucher list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Burlington Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Burlington Housing Authority, including Winooski Housing Authority (2 mi), Plattsburgh Housing Authority (18 mi), Vermont State Housing Authority (35 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Vermont and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Vermont.
How do I contact Burlington Housing Authority?
You can reach Burlington Housing Authority by phone at (802) 864-0538. Their office is located at 65 Main St, Burlington, VT 05401. You can also email them at smurray@burlingtonhousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Burlington Housing Authority?
Income limits for Burlington Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA (currently $130,400). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $64,900. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Burlington Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Burlington Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $64,900. 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 $27,300 $45,450 $72,700
2 Persons $31,200 $51,950 $83,100
3 Persons $35,100 $58,450 $93,500
4 Persons $38,950 $64,900 $103,850
5 Persons $42,100 $70,100 $112,200
6 Persons $45,200 $75,300 $120,500
7 Persons $48,650 $80,500 $128,800
8 Persons $54,150 $85,700 $137,100
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $130,400 Effective April 1, 2025
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.