Housing Authority of the City of West Helena

West Helena, Arkansas

Last Updated

Less than an hour ago

About Housing Authority of the City of West Helena

The Housing Authority of the City of West Helena (PHA Code: AR060) is situated in West Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas. This authority manages approximately 481 assisted housing units within its service area.

For applicants seeking housing assistance, the Public Housing program waitlist is currently open. The status of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist and the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program waitlist for this authority is presently unknown.

Eligibility for assistance is based on income. For a family of four in the Phillips County, AR area, the Very Low Income limit is $33,550 per year. Interested individuals should contact the Housing Authority directly for information on how to apply and to confirm current program availability.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

Applications are available online at www.myhousingportal.org. The length of time on the waiting list is determined by the number of families leaving the program and funding available from HUD. Changes in address, income, or family composition while on the waiting list must be edited online at www.myhousingportal.org or reported in writing to the office.

View original notice — hwhhousing.org

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)
Pending

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) provide rental assistance that tenants can use in the private market. The voucher covers a portion of rent, with tenants typically paying 30% of their adjusted gross income. Participants can choose any housing that meets program requirements.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Public Housing Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 115 N Third
City West Helena, AR 72390
PHA Code AR060
Public Housing Units 481

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 West Helena

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 Housing Authority of the City of West Helena, 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 Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 West Helena, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of West Helena manages approximately 481 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in West Helena. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 West Helena manages approximately 481 Public Housing units in West Helena. 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 Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 West Helena. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in West Helena. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of West Helena administers 3 programs (Public Housing, HCV, PBV) — 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 115 N Third, West Helena, AR.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of West Helena depend on demand in West Helena, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 481 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 18, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of West Helena 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 West Helena, including Phillips County Public Housing Agency (3 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Marianna (16 mi), North Delta Regional Housing Authority (24 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 Housing Authority of the City of West Helena?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of West Helena by phone at (870) 572-6702. Their office is located at 115 N Third, West Helena, AR 72390. You can also email them at dgates@lonokepha.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of West Helena?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of West Helena are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Phillips County, AR (currently $54,500). 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.

Housing Authority of the City of West Helena Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of West Helena are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Phillips 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: $54,500 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.