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About Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
The Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, located in Columbia, Houston County, Alabama (PHA Code: AL100), offers affordable housing assistance to eligible individuals and families. This authority manages approximately 17 assisted housing units through its various programs.
Currently, the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia is accepting applications for all three of its primary housing programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, and Public Housing. The HCV waitlist status was recently updated to open, confirming its current availability to new applicants.
Applicants for these programs must meet specific income guidelines. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit in the Dothan, AL HUD Metro FMR Area is $39,100 per year. Interested individuals should ensure they meet these and other program eligibility requirements.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applicants are placed on a waitlist by application date, considering preferences for veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents. Required documents include birth certificates, social security cards, and income information for all household members; declining two invitations to apply will purge the application. Income limits apply; for a family of four, very low income is less than $39,100 per year for eligibility.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applicants are placed on a waitlist by application date, considering preferences for veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents. Required documents include birth certificates, social security cards, and income information for all household members; declining two invitations to apply will purge the application. Income limits apply; for a family of four, very low income is less than $39,100 per year for eligibility.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applicants are placed on a waitlist by application date, considering preferences for veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents. Required documents include birth certificates, social security cards, and income information for all household members; declining two invitations to apply will purge the application. Income limits apply; for a family of four, very low income is less than $39,100 per year for eligibility.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Columbia portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, 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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, 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 $39,100/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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia 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.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Columbia manages approximately 17 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Columbia. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia 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 Columbia. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Columbia. 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 the City of Columbia are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Columbia manages approximately 17 Public Housing units in Columbia. 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 Columbia free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Dothan, AL HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $39,100. 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 | $16,450 | $27,400 | $43,800 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $31,300 | $50,050 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $35,200 | $56,300 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $39,100 | $62,550 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $42,250 | $67,600 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $45,400 | $72,600 |
| 7 Persons | $48,500 | $48,500 | $77,600 |
| 8 Persons | $51,650 | $51,650 | $82,600 |
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 Housing Authority of the City of Columbia — including across state lines.