Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency
The Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency (PHA Code: IA020) serves Des Moines, Polk County, Iowa. It manages approximately 4,112 assisted housing units, comprising 3,702 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 410 Public Housing units.
The agency administers the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, and Public Housing programs. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed. The Public Housing waitlist recently changed from an open status to closed, having previously been "opening_soon."
Applicants must meet specific income guidelines to be eligible for assistance. For instance, a very low-income family of four in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area generally faces an income limit of $57,250 per year. Interested individuals should monitor for any announcements regarding waitlist openings.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Applications are currently only accepted for household sizes of two persons or less; applicants must be 18 years or older, one household member a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen, and without drug-related charges in the past five years.
Other Programs
2 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 for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program is currently closed. Preferences may include disability or extremely low income. The waiting list was last open in October 2025.
The Mainstream Voucher waiting list is closed as of March 2026. Preferences include non-elderly (under 62) persons with a disability who previously experienced homelessness and are current clients in a HUD-funded permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing program, as well as Near-Elderly and Victims of Domestic Violence.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency 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
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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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency
Check Current Status
Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency, 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 $57,250/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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency 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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency manages approximately 4,112 assisted housing units (3,702 Section 8, 410 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Des Moines. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency manages approximately 410 Public Housing units in Des Moines. 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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency 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 Des Moines. This program serves approximately 3,702 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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency 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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency free?
How long is the wait at Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency?
What are the income limits for Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency?
Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,250. 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 | $24,050 | $40,100 | $64,150 |
| 2 Persons | $27,500 | $45,800 | $73,300 |
| 3 Persons | $30,950 | $51,550 | $82,450 |
| 4 Persons | $34,350 | $57,250 | $91,600 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $61,850 | $98,950 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $66,450 | $106,300 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $71,000 | $113,600 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $75,600 | $120,950 |
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 Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency — including across state lines.