Last Updated
20 hours ago
About Alachua County
Alachua County, PHA Code FL070, serves Gainesville, Alachua County, Florida. This housing authority manages approximately 1,416 assisted housing units, comprising about 1,160 Section 8 vouchers and 256 Public Housing units.
Currently, Alachua County is accepting applications for its Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and VASH programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, and Public Housing programs are presently closed to new applications. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Gainesville, FL HUD Metro FMR Area is $52,000 per year.
Applicants should focus on the currently open PBV and VASH programs. The Public Housing program's status recently changed from closed to opening soon, which may indicate future application opportunities.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jan 28, 2026
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Project-Based Voucher program waiting list is open as of January 28, 2026, and is accepting applications with no announced deadline.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
This program is for veterans and requires a referral from the Department of Veteran Affairs.
Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens Apr 15, 2026
Details
The Gainesville Housing Authority will be accepting online pre-applications for Public Housing on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 10:00 AM.
Other Programs
3 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.
A PHA may close its waiting list when it has more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future. There may be a long wait for assistance under the housing voucher program.
The Mainstream Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list last accepted applications from January 25-27, 2021, or until 300 applications were received, with no announced reopening.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Alachua County 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
-
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 Alachua County
Check Current Status
Alachua County currently has 2 open waiting lists (PBV, VASH). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Alachua County, 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 $52,000/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 Alachua County 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 Alachua County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Alachua County manages approximately 1,416 assisted housing units (1,160 Section 8, 256 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Gainesville. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Alachua County
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Alachua County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Gainesville. 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.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing open
The HUD-VASH program at Alachua County combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Gainesville. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Alachua County 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 Gainesville. This program serves approximately 1,160 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Alachua County 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 closed
Public Housing units at Alachua County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Alachua County manages approximately 256 Public Housing units in Gainesville. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Alachua County converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Gainesville maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Alachua County free?
How long is the wait at Alachua County?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Alachua County?
What are the income limits for Alachua County?
Alachua County Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Alachua County are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Gainesville, FL HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $52,000. 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 | $21,850 | $36,400 | $58,250 |
| 2 Persons | $25,000 | $41,600 | $66,600 |
| 3 Persons | $28,100 | $46,800 | $74,900 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $52,000 | $83,200 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $56,200 | $89,900 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $60,350 | $96,550 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $64,500 | $103,200 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $68,650 | $109,850 |
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 Alachua County — including across state lines.