Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Rochester, Minnesota
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA), located in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota (PHA Code: MN151), administers assisted housing programs for eligible residents. The authority oversees approximately 787 assisted housing units across its service area.
OCHRA manages several key programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which aids approximately 697 households, and its Public Housing program, comprising 90 units. The authority also administers the Mainstream Voucher program.
Currently, all waiting lists for the Housing Choice Voucher, Mainstream Voucher, and Public Housing programs are closed and are not accepting new applications. Eligibility for these programs typically requires meeting income limits; for instance, a family of four must meet the Very Low Income limit of $62,800 per year within the Rochester, MN HUD Metro FMR Area.
Other Programs
3 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.
Applications are not being accepted. When current voucher holders leave the program, new households are offered assistance based on their position on the waiting list. Households will be contacted by mail when their name reaches the top of the waiting list and will be requested to complete an application.
The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) accepted applications for the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list on an ongoing basis for its Mainstream Voucher Program until 150 applications were received. To be eligible for a Mainstream Voucher, applicants must have at least one ...
The waiting list is currently closed and applications are not being accepted. OCHRA manages 110 housing units.
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Check Current Status
All 3 waiting lists at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority 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 Olmsted County 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 $62,800/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 Olmsted County 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.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority manages approximately 787 assisted housing units (697 Section 8, 90 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Rochester. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Olmsted County 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 Rochester. This program serves approximately 697 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 Olmsted County 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.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority manages approximately 90 Public Housing units in Rochester. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority free?
How long is the wait at Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
What are the income limits for Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority?
Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Rochester, MN HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $62,800. 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 | $26,400 | $44,000 | $70,350 |
| 2 Persons | $30,200 | $50,250 | $80,400 |
| 3 Persons | $33,950 | $56,550 | $90,450 |
| 4 Persons | $37,700 | $62,800 | $100,500 |
| 5 Persons | $40,750 | $67,850 | $108,550 |
| 6 Persons | $43,750 | $72,850 | $116,600 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $77,900 | $124,650 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $82,900 | $132,700 |
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 Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority — including across state lines.