About Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland

The Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland (PHA Code: MD005) is located in Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland. This authority manages approximately 315 assisted housing units designed to provide affordable housing options for eligible residents.

Currently, waitlists are open for several of their housing programs. These include Public Housing, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Senior Housing, and the One West Penn Senior Housing program. Both the Public Housing and PBV waitlists have recently transitioned to open status for new applications.

Eligibility for these programs requires meeting specific income limits. For a family of four in the Allegany County, MD area, the Very Low Income limit is $46,400 per year. Applicants should confirm their specific eligibility and program requirements with the Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland.

One West Penn Senior Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This program is for senior housing.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preferences may include veterans, elderly, disabled, working families, or local residents. Contact the Housing Authority for application details.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Applications are processed in phases: Participant Screening, Income Qualification, and Rent Determination. Applicants are placed on a waiting list if no units are available. Preference points are assigned for working families, City or County residents, and other factors. Waiting list status can be checked by calling 301-724-6606.

View original notice — cumberlandhousing.org

Senior Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The One West Penn Senior Housing Waiting List remains open. Applications for a housing unit can be obtained by downloading 'Housing Application Form 101' from the Cumberland Housing Group website, visiting their main office (635 East First Street, Cumberland MD 21502), or calling 301-724-6606 to ...

Other Programs

4 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

As of April 1st, 2026, there are no current Section 8 (HCV) waiting lists for Cumberland, MD.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP)
Pending

No waitlist information currently available for this program.

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

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.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

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.

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

Status History

PBV Opened Feb 25, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 22, 2026
PBV unknown Feb 22, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 21, 2026
PBV Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026

Deadline: Sep 1, 2025

HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland 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 635 E First St
City Cumberland, MD 21502
PHA Code MD005
Public Housing Units 315

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 Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland currently has 4 open waiting lists (One West Penn Senior Housing, PBV, Public Housing, Senior Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland, 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 $46,400/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 Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland 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 Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland manages approximately 315 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cumberland. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland

One West Penn Senior Housing open

The One West Penn Senior Housing program at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cumberland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Cumberland. 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 open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland manages approximately 315 Public Housing units in Cumberland. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Senior Housing open

The Senior Housing program at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cumberland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland 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 Cumberland. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) closed

The Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) program at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Cumberland. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Cumberland maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland administers 8 programs (One West Penn Senior Housing, PBV, Public Housing, Senior Housing, HCV, Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP), Mainstream, RAD) — 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 635 E First St, Cumberland, MD.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland depend on demand in Cumberland, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 315 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 25, 2026 when the PBV list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland 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 Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland, including Housing Authority of the City of Frostburg (10 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Keyser (19 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Piedmont (19 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Maryland and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Maryland.
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland by phone at (301) 724-6606. Their office is located at 635 E First St, Cumberland, MD 21502. You can also email them at michele.bender@cumberlandhousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Allegany County, MD (currently $77,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $46,400. 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.

Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Cumberland are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allegany County, MD. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,400. 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 $19,500 $32,450 $52,000
2 Persons $22,300 $37,100 $59,400
3 Persons $26,650 $41,750 $66,850
4 Persons $32,150 $46,400 $74,250
5 Persons $37,650 $50,100 $80,200
6 Persons $43,150 $53,850 $86,150
7 Persons $48,650 $57,550 $92,100
8 Persons $54,150 $61,250 $98,050
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $77,500 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.