Polk County Housing Authority

Mena, Arkansas

Last Updated

Less than an hour ago

About Polk County Housing Authority

The Polk County Housing Authority (PHA Code: AR117) is located in Mena, Polk County, Arkansas. This authority manages housing assistance programs, overseeing approximately 311 assisted housing units. These include 129 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 182 Public Housing units.

Currently, the waitlist for the Public Housing program is open and accepting applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is presently closed to new applicants. Eligibility for these programs depends on income limits; for instance, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Polk County, AR area is $33,550 per year.

Prospective applicants should verify the current status of each program's waitlist before attempting to apply.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jul 1, 2017

How to Apply

Multiple

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

Additional Notes

The waiting list is open for families and senior/disabled households, with applicants placed by apartment size and application date/time; apply by downloading a pre-application online and hand-delivering, or by visiting the office to pick one up.

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

A waiting list is maintained for the program. Eligible individuals are removed from the waiting list as Vouchers become available. Changes to contact information must be submitted in writing only and delivered to Polk County Housing Authority, 509 South Morrow Street, Mena, AR 71953.

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

Status History

HCV Closed Mar 6, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Polk County Housing Authority 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 509 Morrow St S
City Mena, AR 71953
PHA Code AR117
Section 8 Units 129
Public Housing Units 182

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 Polk County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Polk County Housing Authority 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 Polk County Housing 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 $33,550/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 Polk County Housing Authority 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 Polk County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Polk County Housing Authority manages approximately 311 assisted housing units (129 Section 8, 182 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Mena. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Polk County Housing Authority

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Polk County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Polk County Housing Authority manages approximately 182 Public Housing units in Mena. 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 Polk County Housing 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 Mena. This program serves approximately 129 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 Polk County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Polk County Housing Authority 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 509 Morrow St S, Mena, AR.
How long is the wait at Polk County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Polk County Housing Authority depend on demand in Mena, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 311 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 6, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Polk County Housing Authority 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 Polk County Housing Authority, including Housing Authority of the City of Waldron (22 mi), Scott County Public Housing Agency (23 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Heavener (30 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 Polk County Housing Authority?
You can reach Polk County Housing Authority by phone at (479) 394-1565. Their office is located at 509 Morrow St S, Mena, AR 71953. You can also email them at d.shrader@housingpolkar.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Polk County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Polk County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Polk County, AR (currently $66,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $33,550. 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.

Polk County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Polk County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Polk County, AR. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $33,550. 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 $23,500 $37,600
2 Persons $21,150 $26,850 $43,000
3 Persons $26,650 $30,200 $48,350
4 Persons $32,150 $33,550 $53,700
5 Persons $36,250 $36,250 $58,000
6 Persons $38,950 $38,950 $62,300
7 Persons $41,650 $41,650 $66,600
8 Persons $44,300 $44,300 $70,900
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $66,200 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.