About Ada County Housing Authority

The Ada County Housing Authority (PHA Code: ID021) is located in Boise, Ada County, Idaho. This authority manages approximately 814 assisted housing units, which include 804 Housing Choice Vouchers and 10 Public Housing units.

Currently, waitlists are open for several program types: Market Rate, Market Rate Housing, Other, Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place), and other programs. Waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and Public Housing are presently closed to new applicants.

For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Boise City, ID HUD Metro FMR Area is $53,500 per year. Applicants should consult specific program guidelines for detailed eligibility requirements.

Market Rate Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

The Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities are currently accepting applications for waiting lists for Vine Terrace, Shoreline North, Nez Perce Apartments, and Liberty Park; these units are not subsidized.

Market Rate Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Downloadable application

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Applications are being accepted for waiting lists for Vine Terrace, Shoreline North, Nez Perce Apartments, and Liberty Park. These are not subsidized units.

View original notice — bcacha.org

Other Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities is currently accepting applications for its Market Rate Housing waiting list, which provides affordable housing for low and moderate-income individuals and families.

Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail

Additional Notes

Applications are currently being accepted for the waiting list for 21 single-family homes with 3 and 4 bedrooms.

other Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Applications are currently being accepted for the waiting lists for unsubsidized market rate housing units at Vine Terrace, Shoreline North, Nez Perce Apartments, and Liberty Park.

Other Programs

3 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)
Closed

The waiting list is currently closed and is not expected to open again soon. A pre-application was accepted in May and June 2024, and selected applicants will be notified in August 2024. Preferences include Idaho residents, elderly, disabled, families with minor children, and participants exiting transitional housing.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

The waiting list for Shoreline Plaza (Section 8 New Construction), a likely Project-Based Voucher program, is currently closed.

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

The waiting list for Public Housing (Capitol and Franklin Plazas) and Shoreline Plaza (Section 8 New Construction) is currently closed. Eligibility requires annual gross income under 80% of area median income for Public Housing (under 50% for Shoreline Plaza), qualification as elderly, disabled, or a family, and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. Applicants must pass a background check and screening criteria.

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

Status History

Public Housing Closed Feb 26, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 23, 2026
PBV Closed Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Ada 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 1001 S Orchard St
City Boise, ID 83705
PHA Code ID021
Section 8 Units 804
Public Housing Units 10

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 Ada County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Ada County Housing Authority currently has 5 open waiting lists (Market Rate, Market Rate Housing, Other, Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place), other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Ada 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 $53,500/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 Ada 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 Ada County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Ada County Housing Authority manages approximately 814 assisted housing units (804 Section 8, 10 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Boise. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Ada County Housing Authority

Market Rate open

The Market Rate program at Ada County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boise. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Market Rate Housing open

The Market Rate Housing program at Ada County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boise. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other open

The Other program at Ada County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boise. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place) open

The Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place) program at Ada County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boise. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

other open

The other program at Ada County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Boise. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Ada 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 Boise. This program serves approximately 804 households. 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 Ada County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Boise. 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.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Ada County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Ada County Housing Authority manages approximately 10 Public Housing units in Boise. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Ada County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Ada County Housing Authority administers 8 programs (Market Rate, Market Rate Housing, Other, Other (Market Rate Housing - Hobbler Place), other, HCV, PBV, Public Housing) — 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 1001 S Orchard St, Boise, ID.
How long is the wait at Ada County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Ada County Housing Authority depend on demand in Boise, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 814 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 26, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Ada 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 5 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Ada County Housing Authority, including Boise City Housing Authority, Idaho Housing and Finance Association (2 mi), Nampa Housing Authority (15 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Idaho and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Idaho.
How do I contact Ada County Housing Authority?
You can reach Ada County Housing Authority by phone at (208) 345-4907. Their office is located at 1001 S Orchard St, Boise, ID 83705. You can also email them at housing@bcacha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Ada County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Ada County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Boise City, ID HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $108,800). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $53,500. 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.

Ada County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Ada County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Boise City, ID HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $53,500. 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 $22,500 $37,450 $59,950
2 Persons $25,700 $42,800 $68,500
3 Persons $28,900 $48,150 $77,050
4 Persons $32,150 $53,500 $85,600
5 Persons $37,650 $57,800 $92,450
6 Persons $43,150 $62,050 $99,300
7 Persons $48,650 $66,350 $106,150
8 Persons $54,150 $70,650 $113,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $108,800 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.