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2 days ago
About Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
The Housing Authority Of Baltimore City (HABC), situated in Baltimore, Baltimore City County, Maryland (PHA Code: MD002), administers various housing assistance programs. HABC manages a substantial portfolio of approximately 27,896 assisted housing units, which includes 21,308 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 6,588 Public Housing units.
HABC currently offers programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and Public Housing. It is important to note that all waiting lists for these programs are presently closed, and the authority is not accepting new applications at this time.
For context on eligibility, the very low income limit for a family of four in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA area is set at $65,150 per year. Prospective applicants should monitor official HABC communications for any announcements regarding future waiting list openings, as no applications are being processed currently.
Other Programs
3 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 Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) helps low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities afford safe, decent housing in Baltimore City's private market. Very low-income families are those with incomes below 50% of the area median income.
The Project-Based Voucher waiting list provides federally funded rental assistance for eligible very low-income families, elderly households, and non-elderly single persons with disabilities, with vouchers attached to specific housing units. A lottery process was used for selection.
This program provides federally funded rental assistance for very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, with 13,000 applicants randomly selected for the waiting list during the last opening. Applicants can choose between Centrally-Administered Location-Based Waiting Lists (CALBWL) or the Centrally-Administered First Available Unit Waiting List (CAFAWL).
Official Application
Contact Housing Authority Of Baltimore City directly at (410) 396-3232 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Contact the housing authority directly for application information.
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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Check Current Status
All 3 waiting lists at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City, 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 $65,150/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
Contact Housing Authority Of Baltimore City directly at (410) 396-3232 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority Of Baltimore City manages approximately 27,896 assisted housing units (21,308 Section 8, 6,588 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Baltimore. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 Baltimore. This program serves approximately 21,308 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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Baltimore. 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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority Of Baltimore City manages approximately 6,588 Public Housing units in Baltimore. 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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority Of Baltimore City?
Housing Authority Of Baltimore City Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority Of Baltimore City are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $65,150. 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 | $27,400 | $45,650 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $31,300 | $52,150 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $35,200 | $58,650 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $39,100 | $65,150 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $42,250 | $70,400 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $45,400 | $75,600 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $80,800 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $86,000 | $137,550 |
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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City — including across state lines.