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About Housing Authority of City of Tacoma

The Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, located in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington, manages approximately 5,429 assisted housing units. This includes 5,379 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 50 Public Housing units, providing essential housing assistance to residents.

Currently, several programs are open for applications. These include Family Property, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and Senior/Disabled Property. All listed programs are actively accepting new applicants at this time.

Prospective applicants should be aware of income guidelines. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit is $60,400 per year within the Tacoma, WA HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should verify their specific income against current limits to determine eligibility.

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Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The waitlist is continuously open. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when vouchers become available. Previously, the waitlist opened only every few years.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Referral from DSHS ALTSA case worker and/or Pierce County Human Services

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Mainstream Vouchers are for individuals at least 18 and under 62 years old with a disability.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Nov 14, 2024

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This waitlist is for Housing Hilltop, a new affordable housing development, offering units at 60% Area Median Income with a community priority plan for current or former Hilltop residents.

Family Property

Status

open

Open Date

Nov 14, 2024

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

Waitlists are now open continuously. Households will be randomly selected from the waitlist when units become available. This likely refers to THA-owned units.

Housing Hilltop

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

Currently accepting applications for new tenants, leasing at 60% Area Median Income. Community priority plan for current or former Hilltop residents.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Referral from community partners or direct contact with property

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

THA has Project-Based Vouchers attached to specific apartment buildings. Contact information for these buildings is provided.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The waitlist is continuously open. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when units become available. Previously, the waitlist opened only every few years.

Senior Housing Waitlist

Senior/Disabled Housing

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

A separate waitlist exists for senior/disabled properties. A senior household is one whose head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62 years of age or older. A disabled household is one whose head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is a person with disabilities.

Senior/Disabled Properties

Status

open

Open Date

Nov 14, 2024

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

For households where the head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62+ or disabled, verified by SSDI or Physician's Certificate; properties typically have 1-bedroom units. Applicants must check in quarterly (January, April, July, October by 25th) via the online portal to remain on the waitlist. Selection from the waitlist is random.

Senior/Disabled Property

Status

open

Open Date

Nov 14, 2024

How to Apply

Online

Additional Notes

Preference for households where the head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62 years or older, or has a disability, for 1-bedroom units. Random selection and quarterly check-ins are required.

Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Referral from community partners or direct contact with property

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Single Room Occupancy (SRO) vouchers are available in specific communities. Contact information for these communities is provided.

Other Programs

1 program

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.

Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.

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
Other Opened Feb 22, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of City of Tacoma portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 902 S L St
City Tacoma, WA 98405
PHA Code WA005
Section 8 Units 5,379
Public Housing Units 50

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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of City of Tacoma currently has 11 open waiting lists (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Senior Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, 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 $60,400/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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of City of Tacoma manages approximately 5,429 assisted housing units (5,379 Section 8, 50 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Tacoma. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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 Tacoma. This program serves approximately 5,379 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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.

Other Other Programs open

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

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Tacoma. 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 open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of City of Tacoma manages approximately 50 Public Housing units in Tacoma. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Senior Senior Housing open

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

SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open

The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Tacoma. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of City of Tacoma administers 8 programs (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Senior Housing, Single Room Occupancy (SRO), Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)) — 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 902 S L St, Tacoma, WA.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
Wait times at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma depend on demand in Tacoma, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 5,429 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 "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, including Housing Authority of Of Pierce County (8 mi), Housing Authority of of King County (16 mi), Housing Authority of City of Renton (21 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Washington and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Washington.
How do I contact Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
You can reach Housing Authority of City of Tacoma by phone at (253) 207-4400. Their office is located at 902 S L St, Tacoma, WA 98405. You can also email them at ablack@tacomahousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
Income limits for Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Tacoma, WA HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $120,800). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $60,400. 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.

Housing Authority of City of Tacoma Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Tacoma, WA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $60,400. 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 $25,400 $42,300 $67,700
2 Persons $29,000 $48,350 $77,350
3 Persons $32,650 $54,400 $87,000
4 Persons $36,250 $60,400 $96,650
5 Persons $39,150 $65,250 $104,400
6 Persons $43,150 $70,100 $112,150
7 Persons $48,650 $74,900 $119,850
8 Persons $54,150 $79,750 $127,600
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $120,800 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.