Housing Authority of the City of Athens

Athens, Alabama

Last Updated

Less than an hour ago

About Housing Authority of the City of Athens

The Housing Authority of the City of Athens (PHA Code: AL067) serves Athens, Limestone County, Alabama, by providing affordable housing assistance. This authority administers Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), and Multifamily Housing programs for eligible low-income individuals and families.

Currently, the waitlist for Multifamily Housing is open and accepting applications. The waitlists for both Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program are closed at this time. However, applicants should note that the HCV waitlist recently changed its status to "opening soon."

Eligibility for these programs is based on income. For example, a family of four must meet the Very Low Income limit, which is $57,750 per year, consistent with the Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Statistical Area. Applicants should monitor the authority's official channels for specific application periods and updates on waitlist openings.

Multifamily Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Applicants must provide identification and income verification; residents agree to inspections; criminal and rental history are reviewed; a smoke-free policy is in effect; potential preferences may include Head/Spouse 62 or over or disabled.

Other Programs

2 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Housing Authority of the City of Athens, AL does not administer the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Public Housing
Closed

The waiting list is currently closed and not accepting applications. When open, applications are accepted via office drop box, mail, email, or online. Preferences may include employment, age 62+ or disabled, victim of domestic violence, registered voter, natural disaster, post-secondary education, veterans, and AHA-approved coursework.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal

Status History

HCV Opening Soon Mar 20, 2026

Official Application

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

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

City Athens, AL 35611
PHA Code AL067

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 the City of Athens

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of Athens currently has 1 open waiting list (Multifamily Housing). 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 the City of Athens, 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 $57,750/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 the City of Athens portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Athens, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wait times vary from 6 months to over 5 years depending on local demand and funding. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Athens

Multifamily Housing open

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

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Athens 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 Athens. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Athens 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Athens free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of Athens administers 3 programs (Multifamily Housing, HCV, Public Housing) — 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.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Athens?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of Athens depend on demand in Athens, funding levels, and your priority status. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 20, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "closed" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of Athens 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 the City of Athens, including Housing Authority of the City of Decatur (13 mi), The Housing Authority of the City of Triana (23 mi), Regional HA of Lawrence, Cullman & Morgan Counties (25 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Alabama and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Alabama.
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Athens?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of Athens by phone at (256) 232-5300. You can also email them at Larry@Athensha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Athens?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Athens are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Huntsville, AL MSA (currently $115,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $57,750. 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 the City of Athens Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Athens are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Huntsville, AL MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,750. 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 $24,300 $40,450 $64,700
2 Persons $27,750 $46,200 $73,950
3 Persons $31,200 $52,000 $83,200
4 Persons $34,650 $57,750 $92,400
5 Persons $37,650 $62,400 $99,800
6 Persons $43,150 $67,000 $107,200
7 Persons $48,650 $71,650 $114,600
8 Persons $54,150 $76,250 $122,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $115,500 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.