Housing Authority of the City of Salem

Salem, Missouri

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Housing Authority of the City of Salem

The Housing Authority of the City of Salem, located in Salem, Dent County, Missouri (PHA Code MO052), manages approximately 90 assisted housing units. This authority provides housing assistance programs designed for low-income individuals and families in the area.

Currently, the waitlists for the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program and the Public Housing program are open for new applications. It is important for prospective applicants to know that the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is presently closed. The PBV waitlist recently changed from unknown to open, while the HCV waitlist changed from unknown to closed.

Eligibility for these programs is subject to income limits. For a very low-income family of four in the Dent County, MO area, the annual income limit is $38,550. Applicants should contact the Housing Authority directly to confirm current eligibility criteria and application procedures for the open waitlists.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 23, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Project-Based Voucher waitlist for Bright Meadows, a multifamily program, is currently accepting applications for elderly and disabled households.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 23, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

The Salem Housing Authority is accepting pre-applications for families and senior/disabled households, with applicants placed on the waiting list according to qualifying preferences and the date and time a complete application is received.

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

No current waiting list status information found specifically for the Housing Choice Voucher program; no active waitlist openings are currently available.

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

Status History

HCV Closed Mar 30, 2026
PBV Opened Feb 23, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 23, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 21, 2026
PBV unknown Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Contact Housing Authority of the City of Salem directly at (573) 729-6453 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 606 McGrath Ln
City Salem, MO 65560
PHA Code MO052
Public Housing Units 90

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 Authority of the City of Salem

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of Salem currently has 2 open waiting lists (PBV, 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 Authority of the City of Salem, 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 $38,550/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

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Salem 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 Housing Authority of the City of Salem, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Salem manages approximately 90 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Salem. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Salem

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Salem are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Salem. 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 open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Salem are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Salem manages approximately 90 Public Housing units in Salem. 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 Authority of the City of Salem 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 Salem. 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 Authority of the City of Salem free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of Salem administers 3 programs (PBV, 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's official portal or in person at their office at 606 McGrath Ln, Salem, MO.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Salem?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of Salem depend on demand in Salem, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 90 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 30, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "unknown" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of Salem 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 Authority of the City of Salem, including Housing Authority of the City of Rolla (24 mi), Phelps County Public Housing Agency (25 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Houston (32 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Missouri and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Missouri.
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Salem?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of Salem by phone at (573) 729-6453. Their office is located at 606 McGrath Ln, Salem, MO 65560. You can also email them at m.shaw@salemha.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Salem?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Salem are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Dent County, MO (currently $68,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $38,550. 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.

Housing Authority of the City of Salem Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Salem are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Dent County, MO. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $38,550. 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 $16,250 $27,000 $43,200
2 Persons $21,150 $30,850 $49,400
3 Persons $26,650 $34,700 $55,550
4 Persons $32,150 $38,550 $61,700
5 Persons $37,650 $41,650 $66,650
6 Persons $43,150 $44,700 $71,600
7 Persons $47,800 $47,800 $76,550
8 Persons $50,900 $50,900 $81,450
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $68,200 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.