Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs, Iowa

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

The Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs is located in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie County, Iowa, and manages assisted housing programs. The agency oversees approximately 1,079 assisted housing units, comprising 784 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 295 Public Housing units.

The Public Housing program waitlist is currently open for applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is presently closed. Information regarding the Mainstream program's status is unknown. For applicants, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area is $56,850 annually. Prospective applicants should confirm all current eligibility requirements and program statuses directly with the agency.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

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

Additional Notes

Preference points are given to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and persons living or working in the city of Council Bluffs. Income must not exceed 80% of the area median income.

Other Programs

2 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

Preference points are given to elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and persons living or working in the city of Council Bluffs. Minimum rent is $50 per month.

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

Designed for families with a non-elderly person with disabilities (age 18-61) who is transitioning out of institutional settings, at risk of institutionalization, or homeless/at risk of homelessness.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Public Housing Opened Feb 24, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 22, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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 505 S 6th St
City Council Bluffs, IA 51501
PHA Code IA023
Section 8 Units 784
Public Housing Units 295

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 Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

1

Check Current Status

Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs, 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 $56,850/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 Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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 Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs manages approximately 1,079 assisted housing units (784 Section 8, 295 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Council Bluffs. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs manages approximately 295 Public Housing units in Council Bluffs. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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 Council Bluffs. This program serves approximately 784 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 Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs administers 3 programs (Public Housing, HCV, Mainstream) — 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 505 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA.
How long is the wait at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs?
Wait times at Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs depend on demand in Council Bluffs, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,079 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 24, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs, including Omaha Housing Authority (5 mi), Bellevue Housing Authority (8 mi), Douglas County Housing Authority (11 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Iowa and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Iowa.
How do I contact Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs?
You can reach Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs by phone at (712) 322-1491. Their office is located at 505 S 6th St, Council Bluffs, IA 51501. You can also email them at mha@mhacb.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs?
Income limits for Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $113,700). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $56,850. 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.

Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $56,850. 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 $23,900 $39,800 $63,700
2 Persons $27,300 $45,500 $72,800
3 Persons $30,700 $51,200 $81,900
4 Persons $34,100 $56,850 $90,950
5 Persons $37,650 $61,400 $98,250
6 Persons $43,150 $65,950 $105,550
7 Persons $48,650 $70,500 $112,800
8 Persons $54,150 $75,050 $120,100
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $113,700 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.