Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Baltimore, Maryland
Last Updated
Yesterday
About Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Housing Authority Of Baltimore City (HUD agency code MD002) is the public housing agency serving Baltimore, Baltimore City, Maryland. It administers 6,588 public housing units and 21,308 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 5 waiting lists at this agency, covering HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of Aug 6, 2026, all 5 tracked lists are closed to new applications.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $65,150 per year, and as Low Income at or below $104,200 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 5 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 2, 2026.
Other Programs
5 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 HCVP Tenant-Based Waiting List is currently closed; the last application period was from October 2, 2023, to October 13, 2023, with applicants selected via a lottery system.
The Mainstream Voucher program's waiting list is currently closed.
The Project-Based Voucher waiting list is currently closed. A Senior Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (1-Bedroom) waiting list was last open from October 5, 2021, until June 30, 2023, for applicants 62 years of age or older.
The Public Housing waiting list is currently closed. Current applicants on the waiting list are undergoing an update process to select either a Location-Based or First Available Waiting List through the MyHousing Portal.
This program's waiting list is currently closed.
Status History
Deadline: Aug 31, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 Housing Authority Of Baltimore City
Check Current Status
All 5 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
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority Of Baltimore City portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
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 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 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.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City 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 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority Of Baltimore City converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Baltimore maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the 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.