The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby

Shelby, Mississippi

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby

The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby (PHA Code: MS089) provides housing assistance in Shelby, Bolivar County, Mississippi. This authority currently manages several programs, with the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program accepting new applications.

Prospective applicants should be aware that the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Public Housing program are presently closed. While these programs have seen status changes in the past, their current status is closed for new applicants.

For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Bolivar County, MS area is $34,550 annually. Applicants are encouraged to verify specific income requirements and eligibility criteria directly with the Housing Authority for the open EHV program.

EHV Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Applications for the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program are being accepted online. Contact Nicole Harper at 601.683.3371 with questions.

Other Programs

2 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 Housing Authority of the City of Shelby administers Section 8 Vouchers.

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

Applications are taken as needed at the office. Eligibility is based on annual gross income, family status (elderly, disabled, or family), and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. Applications are chosen by bedroom size, income range, background rental checks, and criminal record checks. Waiting times can be 6 months or more.

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

Status History

Public Housing Closed 3 days ago
Public Housing Opened Mar 6, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 5, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 23, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 21, 2026

Official Application

Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby directly at (662) 398-7141 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 1305 Lake St
City Shelby, MS 38774
PHA Code MS089

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 The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby

1

Check Current Status

The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby currently has 1 open waiting list (EHV). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby, 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 $34,550/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 The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby directly at (662) 398-7141 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wait times vary from 6 months to over 5 years depending on local demand and funding. 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 Shelby

EHV open

The EHV program at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Shelby. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby 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 Shelby. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby administers 3 programs (EHV, HCV, Public Housing) — 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 1305 Lake St, Shelby, MS.
How long is the wait at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby?
Wait times at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby depend on demand in Shelby, funding levels, and your priority status. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 4, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby, including The Housing Authority of the City of Mound Bayou (5 mi), North Delta Regional Housing Authority (21 mi), The Housing Authority of the City of Clarksdale (22 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Mississippi and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Mississippi.
How do I contact The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby?
You can reach The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby by phone at (662) 398-7141. Their office is located at 1305 Lake St, Shelby, MS 38774. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby?
Income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Bolivar County, MS (currently $51,600). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $34,550. 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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby Income Limits

Income limits for programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Shelby are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Bolivar County, MS. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $34,550. 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 $15,650 $24,200 $38,750
2 Persons $21,150 $27,650 $44,250
3 Persons $26,650 $31,100 $49,800
4 Persons $32,150 $34,550 $55,300
5 Persons $37,350 $37,350 $59,750
6 Persons $40,100 $40,100 $64,150
7 Persons $42,850 $42,850 $68,600
8 Persons $45,650 $45,650 $73,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $51,600 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.