The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi

Fort Smith, Arkansas

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Less than an hour ago

About The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi (PHA Code: AR003) serves Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas. This agency manages housing assistance, including approximately 1,827 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units.

The Authority administers both Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs. Currently, the waitlist for Public Housing is open to new applicants. However, the HCV waitlist is presently closed, meaning applications are not being accepted for that program at this time.

For prospective applicants, a family of four in the Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA area is considered Very Low Income with an annual income of $36,300 or less. Eligibility for programs is based on various factors, including income limits specific to family size and area median income. Interested parties should verify current program availability and specific income requirements directly with the Authority.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jul 1, 2017

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

Applicants are placed on the waiting list based on application date and preferences for veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents.

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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The waiting list for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is currently not accepting applications. When open, preferences include working families, elderly, disabled, those terminated from HCV program due to insufficient funding, victims of domestic violence or natural disaster, and homeless applicants.

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

Status History

HCV Closed Mar 5, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 3, 2026
Public Housing Opened Mar 1, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 23, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 23, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 18, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi 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

Address 2100 N 31st St
City Fort Smith, AR 72904
PHA Code AR003
Section 8 Units 1,827

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 The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi

1

Check Current Status

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi currently has 1 open waiting list (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 The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi, 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 $36,300/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 The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi manages approximately 1,827 assisted housing units (1,827 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Fort Smith. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi 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.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi 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 Fort Smith. This program serves approximately 1,827 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi administers 2 programs (Public Housing, HCV) — 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 2100 N 31st St, Fort Smith, AR.
How long is the wait at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi?
Wait times at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi depend on demand in Fort Smith, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,827 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 5, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi, including Housing Authority of the City of Van Buren (4 mi), Crawford County Public Facilities Board (5 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Alma (11 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Arkansas and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Arkansas.
How do I contact The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi?
You can reach The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi by phone at (479) 782-4991. Their office is located at 2100 N 31st St, Fort Smith, AR 72904. You can also email them at mminnick@fortsmithhousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi?
Income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA (currently $80,600). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $36,300. 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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi Income Limits

Income limits for programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Smi are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Fort Smith, AR-OK MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $36,300. 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 $15,650 $25,450 $40,700
2 Persons $21,150 $29,050 $46,500
3 Persons $26,650 $32,700 $52,300
4 Persons $32,150 $36,300 $58,100
5 Persons $37,650 $39,250 $62,750
6 Persons $42,150 $42,150 $67,400
7 Persons $45,050 $45,050 $72,050
8 Persons $47,950 $47,950 $76,700
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $80,600 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.