Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Boise City Housing Authority

The Boise City Housing Authority (PHA Code ID013) provides assisted housing options in Boise, Ada County, Idaho. It manages approximately 1,566 assisted housing units, which include about 1,406 Housing Choice Vouchers and 160 Public Housing units.

Currently, waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Public Housing programs are closed to new applications. The authority is accepting applications for its Market Rate Housing and "Other" programs. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for these programs is $53,500 per year in the Boise City, ID HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should verify specific eligibility requirements for each open program.

Market Rate Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Download the application

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
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

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities are currently accepting applications for market rate housing waiting lists for Vine Terrace, Shoreline North, Nez Perce Apartments, and Liberty Park.

other Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities is currently accepting applications for waiting lists for Market Rate Housing at Vine Terrace, Shoreline North, Nez Perce Apartments, and Liberty Park. These apartments are not subsidized and are rented to the general public.

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 there is no known date for when it will open again. Pre-applications submitted in May and June 2024 were part of a lottery for a list of 2,500 households. Confirmation numbers for selected applicants will be posted in August 2024. Idaho residents, elderly, disabled, families with minor children, and participants exiting transitional housing programs for homeless persons receive preferences.

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 Section 8 New Construction Other Project Based housing, including Shoreline Plaza, is currently closed. When open, units are available to families where the head, spouse, or co-head is 62 years of age or older, and/or a person with a disability.

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

The waiting list for scattered site Public Housing properties closed on January 15, 2019; eligibility is based on income, family status (elderly, disabled, or family), and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.

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

Status History

PBV Closed Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Boise City 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 ID013
Section 8 Units 1,406
Public Housing Units 160

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 Boise City Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Boise City Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Market Rate Housing, Other, other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Boise City 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 Boise City 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 Boise City Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Boise City Housing Authority manages approximately 1,566 assisted housing units (1,406 Section 8, 160 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 Boise City Housing Authority

Market Rate Housing open

The Market Rate Housing program at Boise City 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 Boise City 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 Boise City 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 Boise City 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 1,406 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 Boise City 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 Boise City Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Boise City Housing Authority manages approximately 160 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 Boise City Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Boise City Housing Authority administers 6 programs (Market Rate Housing, Other, 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 Boise City Housing Authority?
Wait times at Boise City Housing Authority depend on demand in Boise, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,566 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 19, 2026 when the PBV list changed from "closed" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Boise City 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 Boise City Housing Authority, including Ada County 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 Boise City Housing Authority?
You can reach Boise City 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 Boise City Housing Authority?
Income limits for Boise City 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.

Boise City Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Boise City 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.