Housing Authority of Washington County
Williamsport, Maryland
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Housing Authority of Washington County
The Housing Authority of Washington County (PHA Code: MD028) serves Williamsport and the surrounding Washington County, Maryland area. This authority manages approximately 623 assisted housing units, primarily comprising Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Currently, the Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, and Public Housing programs. The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program is closed. For eligibility, a family of four is subject to a Very Low Income limit of $46,850 per year, which applies to the Hagerstown, MD HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should verify their household's income and size against current federal guidelines.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) wait list is open for all interested parties. Vouchers can only be used in Washington County, excluding Hagerstown city limits.
View original notice — hawcmd.orgMainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Mainstream Voucher program wait list is open specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional settings, at risk of institutionalization, homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless.
View original notice — hawcmd.orgPublic Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
HAWC maintains a waitlist for units in its apartment communities and single-family homes. Applicants are ranked based on their application date and preference point score, with a typical wait of one to four years for senior apartments.
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 Housing Authority of Washington County opened its first-ever Place-Based Housing Waitlist from November 4 to November 10, 2025. This waitlist comprised spots for both the County's Project-Based Vouchers and Public Housing units. Applications were accepted online.
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.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Washington County 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 Housing Authority of Washington County
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of Washington County currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, Mainstream, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of Washington County, 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 $46,850/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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of Washington County 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 Housing Authority of Washington County, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of Washington County manages approximately 623 assisted housing units (623 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Williamsport. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of Washington County
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of Washington County 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 Williamsport. This program serves approximately 623 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of Washington County 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.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of Washington County are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of Washington County are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Williamsport. 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of Washington County converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Williamsport maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of Washington County free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of Washington County?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of Washington County?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of Washington County?
Housing Authority of Washington County Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of Washington County are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Hagerstown, MD HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,850. 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 | $19,700 | $32,800 | $52,500 |
| 2 Persons | $22,500 | $37,500 | $60,000 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $42,200 | $67,500 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $46,850 | $74,950 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $50,600 | $80,950 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $54,350 | $86,950 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $58,100 | $92,950 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $61,850 | $98,950 |
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 Housing Authority of Washington County — including across state lines.