Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Owatonna, Minnesota

Last Updated

20 hours ago

About Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority

The Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OHRA), identified by PHA Code MN220, serves residents in Owatonna, Steele County, Minnesota. OHRA manages approximately 157 assisted housing units, which are primarily facilitated through 157 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.

For those interested in applying, the Mainstream program is currently open. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, however, is presently closed to new applications. The Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Steele County, MN area is $57,400 per year. Potential applicants should verify their eligibility based on current income guidelines.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Mar 18, 2026

How to Apply

In-person or Mail

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Mainstream waitlist uses the same application as the HCV program and is open for applicants with a residency preference in Steele County. Additional preferences include rent burden, homelessness, and disability for those with residency preference.

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

The waiting list for the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program was reopened effective August 5, 2015, for applicants with the Residency Preference only. Applications are accepted at the Owatonna HRA office.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No active waitlist information currently available.

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

The Owatonna HRA manages 0 public housing units, so no waiting list information is available.

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

No active waitlist information currently available.

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

Status History

Mainstream Opened Mar 18, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 6, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 540 W Hills Cir
City Owatonna, MN 55060
PHA Code MN220
Section 8 Units 157

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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority

1

Check Current Status

Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Mainstream). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority, 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 $57,400/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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority manages approximately 157 assisted housing units (157 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Owatonna. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 Owatonna. This program serves approximately 157 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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Owatonna. 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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority administers 5 programs (Mainstream, HCV, PBV, Public Housing, 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 540 W Hills Cir, Owatonna, MN.
How long is the wait at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Wait times at Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority depend on demand in Owatonna, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 157 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 18, 2026 when the Mainstream list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority, including Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Waseca (14 mi), Housing & Redevelopment Authority Of Faribault (14 mi), Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (14 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 Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
You can reach Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority by phone at (507) 774-7318. Their office is located at 540 W Hills Cir, Owatonna, MN 55060. You can also email them at Troy.Klecker@ci.owatonna.mn.us. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Income limits for Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Steele County, MN (currently $114,800). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $57,400. 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.

Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Owatonna Housing and Redevelopment Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Steele County, MN. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,400. 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 $24,150 $40,200 $64,300
2 Persons $27,600 $45,950 $73,500
3 Persons $31,050 $51,700 $82,700
4 Persons $34,450 $57,400 $91,850
5 Persons $37,650 $62,000 $99,200
6 Persons $43,150 $66,600 $106,550
7 Persons $48,650 $71,200 $113,900
8 Persons $54,150 $75,800 $121,250
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $114,800 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.