Delaware State Housing Authority
Dover, Delaware
Last Updated
3 hours ago
About Delaware State Housing Authority
Delaware State Housing Authority (HUD agency code DE901) is the public housing agency serving Dover, Kent County, Delaware. It administers 1,295 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 11 waiting lists at this agency, covering Mainstream, Public Housing, Senior, HCV, Other, PBV, RAD. As of Apr 9, 2026, 3 are open and 7 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 1 further list.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Dover, DE MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $49,000 per year, and as Low Income at or below $78,400 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 24 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 6, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
The signing bonus also applies to Emergency Housing Vouchers and Mainstream Vouchers administered by Housing Delaware, if permitted by the specific specialty voucher.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applicants for Public Housing and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher programs are placed on a combined waiting list. Working families, the elderly (62 or over), and people with disabilities receive preference. Applicants who reside in Kent or Sussex County have priority on the waiting list.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Feb 3, 2025
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Waiting lists are open for Holly Square and Huling Cove Senior Housing properties.
Other Programs
4 programsThese 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.
Accepting applications by referral only from the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS).
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Program for individuals with extremely low incomes and disabilities accepts applications by referral only through a DHSS representative, not via an open waiting list.
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program is accepting applications by referral only from DHSS representatives. No general application or waitlist opening dates are mentioned.
Applications are accepted by referral only from DHSS or DSCYF. No general application or waitlist opening dates are mentioned.
Applications are accepted by referral only from the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF).
No current waitlist information found.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Project-Based Waiting List, which is a form of project-based assistance, last accepted applications from March 9, 2022, until March 18, 2022, with no confirmed preferences or notice of reopening.
Preferences for this Project-Based program are unconfirmed, and it serves Kent and Sussex County, Delaware.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Delaware State Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: 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 Delaware State Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Delaware State Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Mainstream Voucher, Public Housing, Senior Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Delaware State 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 $49,000/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 Delaware State Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Delaware State Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Delaware State Housing Authority manages approximately 1,295 assisted housing units (1,295 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Dover. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Delaware State Housing Authority
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Delaware State Housing Authority are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Delaware State Housing Authority 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.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior Housing program at Delaware State Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Dover. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Delaware State 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 Dover. This program serves approximately 1,295 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Other Other Programs closed
The Other Programs program at Delaware State Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Dover. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Delaware State Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Dover. 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Delaware State Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Dover maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Delaware State Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Delaware State Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Delaware State Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Delaware State Housing Authority?
Delaware State Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Delaware State Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Dover, DE MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $49,000. 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 | $20,600 | $34,300 | $54,900 |
| 2 Persons | $23,550 | $39,200 | $62,750 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $44,100 | $70,600 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $49,000 | $78,400 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $52,950 | $84,700 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $56,850 | $90,950 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $60,800 | $97,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $64,700 | $103,500 |
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 Delaware State Housing Authority — including across state lines.