The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus
Columbus, Mississippi
Last Updated
19 hours ago
About The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus
The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus (PHA Code: MS076) is situated in Columbus, Lowndes County, Mississippi. This authority manages approximately 480 assisted housing units. Its programs historically include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Mainstream, Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), and RAD programs.
All waiting lists for the Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are currently closed, and new applications are not being accepted. This applies to HCV, Public Housing, PBV, and Mainstream programs, among others. Notably, PBV and Mainstream programs recently transitioned from an unknown status to closed. For those seeking assistance, the very low-income limit for a family of four in the Lowndes County, MS area is $39,850 per year.
Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens May 21, 2026
Application Window
May 21, 2026 – May 21, 2026
Details
Applications are accepted the 3rd Wednesday of each month from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM or 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.
Other Programs
6 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.
When open, applicants may apply by mailing a pre-application and then attending an in-person formal application process. Eligibility typically requires Mississippi residency, income below 30-50% of the county's median, no prior eviction from public or Section 8 housing for drug-related crime, and applicants must be 21 years or older, or 18 and married/emancipated.
This program provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
No active waitlist information currently available.
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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus
Check Current Status
All waiting lists at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are currently closed, but 1 list is expected to open soon. Prepare your documents now so you can apply immediately when the window opens.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, 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 $39,850/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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus manages approximately 480 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Columbus. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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 Columbus. 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Columbus. 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus manages approximately 480 Public Housing units in Columbus. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
EHV closed
The EHV program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Columbus. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Columbus. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Columbus maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus free?
How long is the wait at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
What are the income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus?
The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus Income Limits
Income limits for programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Lowndes County, MS. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $39,850. 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 | $16,750 | $27,900 | $44,650 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $31,900 | $51,000 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $35,900 | $57,400 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $39,850 | $63,750 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $43,050 | $68,850 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $46,250 | $73,950 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $49,450 | $79,050 |
| 8 Persons | $52,650 | $52,650 | $84,150 |
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 The Housing Authority of the City of Columbus — including across state lines.