Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea

Albert Lea, Minnesota

Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea, located in Albert Lea, Freeborn County, Minnesota, provides housing assistance programs. This authority manages approximately 338 assisted housing units within its jurisdiction. These units consist of 179 Public Housing units and 159 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units.

Currently, the waitlist for the Public Housing program is open for new applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is presently closed but is anticipated to open soon.

Eligibility for these programs is based on income and other criteria. For instance, a very low-income limit for a family of four in the Freeborn County, MN area is $47,600 per year. Interested applicants for Public Housing should contact the authority for detailed application procedures. Updates regarding the HCV program's opening will be provided directly by the authority.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

In-person or Mail

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Albert Lea is currently accepting Public Housing waiting list pre-applications for families and senior/disabled households. To apply, visit the HRAAL office at 800 Fourth Avenue South, Albert Lea, MN 56007 to pick up a pre-application, which can then be mailed or hand-delivered. Eligibility is based on annual gross income, qualifying as elderly, a person with a disability, or a family, and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status, meeting HUD income guidelines. The HRAAL manages 176 public housing units, including 126 one-bedroom units at Shady Oaks High-rise and 50 scattered site homes (two, three, and four-bedroom units).

Other Programs

1 program

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

Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis; preferences for elderly, disabled, veterans, and Freeborn County residents.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

HCV Opening Soon Mar 13, 2026
HCV Opening Soon Mar 6, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Contact Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea directly at (507) 377-4375 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

Address 800 S 4th Ave
City Albert Lea, MN 56007
PHA Code MN077
Section 8 Units 159
Public Housing Units 179

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 and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea

1

Check Current Status

Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea currently has 1 open waiting list (Public 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 and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea, 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 $47,600/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

Contact Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea directly at (507) 377-4375 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea manages approximately 338 assisted housing units (159 Section 8, 179 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Albert Lea. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea manages approximately 179 Public Housing units in Albert Lea. 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 Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea 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 Albert Lea. This program serves approximately 159 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea administers 2 programs (Public Housing, HCV) — 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 or in person at their office at 800 S 4th Ave, Albert Lea, MN.
How long is the wait at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea?
Wait times at Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea depend on demand in Albert Lea, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 338 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 13, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "closed" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea 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 and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea, including Housing and Redevelopment Authority of New Richland (18 mi), Housing & Redevelopment Authority of Austin (21 mi), Mower County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (26 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Minnesota and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Minnesota.
How do I contact Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea?
You can reach Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea by phone at (507) 377-4375. Their office is located at 800 S 4th Ave, Albert Lea, MN 56007. You can also email them at jeanne@albertleahra.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea?
Income limits for Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Freeborn County, MN (currently $94,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $47,600. 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 and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing and Redevelopment Authority in and for the City of Albert Lea are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Freeborn County, MN. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $47,600. 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 $20,000 $33,350 $53,350
2 Persons $22,850 $38,100 $60,950
3 Persons $26,650 $42,850 $68,550
4 Persons $32,150 $47,600 $76,150
5 Persons $37,650 $51,450 $82,250
6 Persons $43,150 $55,250 $88,350
7 Persons $48,650 $59,050 $94,450
8 Persons $54,150 $62,850 $100,550
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $94,200 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.