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Madison Community Development Authority
Madison, Wisconsin
Last Updated
11 hours ago
About Madison Community Development Authority
The Madison Community Development Authority (CDA), located in Madison, Dane County, Wisconsin (PHA Code: WI003), manages approximately 2,842 assisted housing units. This includes 2,101 units through the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program and 741 Public Housing units.
Currently, the CDA is accepting applications for its Mainstream, Other, and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs are presently closed to new applicants. For a family of four in the Madison, WI HUD Metro FMR Area, the Very Low Income limit is $64,900 per year.
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Affordable Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This includes waitlists for Karabis Apartments (wheelchair accessible only, opened April 10, 2023), Parkside Apartments (disabled or age 62+, 1 bedroom only, opened April 10, 2023), and Parkside Townhomes (2-bedroom wheelchair accessible only, opened January 30, 2026). Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Karabis Apartments
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for 1, 2, and 3 bedroom wheelchair accessible units only. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Parkside Apartments
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for 1-bedroom units for disabled individuals or those age 62 and older. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Parkside Townhomes
Status
open
Open Date
Jan 30, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for 2-bedroom wheelchair accessible units only. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Parkside Townhomes - Multi-Family Housing
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waiting list for Parkside Townhomes opened on April 10, 2023. A separate waitlist for 2-bedroom wheelchair accessible units opened on January 30, 2026. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Parkside Townhomes General
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waiting list is for Parkside Townhomes. Preferences are given for local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Mainstream Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently open indefinitely. Preferences are given to City residency, elderly, or disabled individuals.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preferences are given to City residency, elderly, or disabled individuals.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for Parkside Townhomes (General). A separate waitlist for 2-bedroom wheelchair accessible units opened on January 30, 2026. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Karabis Apartments (Wheelchair Accessible)
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This waitlist is open for 1, 2, and 3 bedroom wheelchair accessible units only, with applications accepted online or by mail. Preferences include local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 10, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waiting list is for Parkside Townhomes, Multi-Family Housing, with preferences for local residency, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The website states to 'Sign up for the waitlist for public housing. Apply Online'.
Status History
Deadline: Apr 2, 2023
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Madison Community Development 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 Madison Community Development Authority
Check Current Status
Madison Community Development Authority currently has 12 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Madison Community Development 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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Madison Community Development Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Madison Community Development Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Madison Community Development Authority manages approximately 2,842 assisted housing units (2,101 Section 8, 741 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Madison. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Madison Community Development Authority
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Madison Community Development Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Madison. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Madison Community Development 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 Madison. This program serves approximately 2,101 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state. The application window closes on April 2, 2023.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Madison Community Development 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.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Madison Community Development Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Madison. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Madison Community Development Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Madison. 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 Madison Community Development Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Madison Community Development Authority manages approximately 741 Public Housing units in Madison. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Madison Community Development Authority free?
How long is the wait at Madison Community Development Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Madison Community Development Authority?
What are the income limits for Madison Community Development Authority?
Madison Community Development Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Madison Community Development Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Madison, WI HUD Metro FMR Area. 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 |
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 Madison Community Development Authority — including across state lines.