Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Last Updated
Less than an hour ago
About Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Cedar Rapids Housing Services (HUD agency code IA024) is the public housing agency serving Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa. It administers 1,316 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 8 waiting lists at this agency, covering Homeownership, HCV, Public Housing, Mainstream, PBV, RAD. As of Apr 27, 2026, 1 is open and 4 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 3 further lists.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Cedar Rapids, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $50,800 per year, and as Low Income at or below $81,300 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 9 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 25, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online, In-person
Additional Notes
The First Time Home Buyer program is open for new applications through June 5, 2026, at 4 PM, but a waiting list has started as funding is nearing its end. It offers up to $14,999 for down payment and closing cost assistance and is reviewed on a 'first come, first served' basis. Applicants must be first-time buyers, meet income requirements, purchase an eligible property, and meet debt and mortgage criteria.
Other Programs
6 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.
The waiting list is currently closed and will remain closed for an undetermined time; applications were last accepted on October 14, 2019, in-person at the Veterans Memorial Building. Preferences have not yet been confirmed.
The ROOTs homeownership program currently has no properties available; interested applicants can contact Housing Services to be added to a list. Eligibility requires applicants to be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) by household size and approved by the City before entering a purchase agreement.
Currently, no properties are available for the ROOTs Program. Applicants must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income and receive City approval before entering a purchase agreement. Interested applicants can contact Housing Services to be added to a list for future opportunities.
Public Housing provides affordable rental units owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Units range from single-family homes to high-rise apartments, with rent typically set at 30% of household income.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
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.
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 Cedar Rapids Housing Services 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 Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Check Current Status
Cedar Rapids Housing Services currently has 1 open waiting list (Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Cedar Rapids Housing Services, 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 $50,800/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 Cedar Rapids Housing Services portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Cedar Rapids Housing Services, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Cedar Rapids Housing Services manages approximately 1,316 assisted housing units (1,316 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cedar Rapids. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Cedar Rapids Housing Services
Homeownership Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance open
The Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cedar Rapids. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on June 5, 2026.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Cedar Rapids Housing Services 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 Cedar Rapids. This program serves approximately 1,316 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Cedar Rapids Housing Services 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.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Cedar Rapids Housing Services 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Cedar Rapids Housing Services are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Cedar Rapids. 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 Cedar Rapids Housing Services converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Cedar Rapids maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Cedar Rapids Housing Services free?
How long is the wait at Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
What are the income limits for Cedar Rapids Housing Services?
Cedar Rapids Housing Services Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Cedar Rapids Housing Services are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Cedar Rapids, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,800. 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 | $21,350 | $35,600 | $56,950 |
| 2 Persons | $24,400 | $40,650 | $65,050 |
| 3 Persons | $27,450 | $45,750 | $73,200 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,800 | $81,300 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,900 | $87,850 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,950 | $94,350 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $63,000 | $100,850 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $67,100 | $107,350 |
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 Cedar Rapids Housing Services — including across state lines.