Howell County Public Housing Agency

West Plains, Missouri

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About Howell County Public Housing Agency

The Howell County Public Housing Agency, located in West Plains, Howell County, Missouri (PHA Code: MO217), manages approximately 740 assisted housing units. These units are primarily facilitated through the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, for which the agency currently has open waiting lists for new applications.

In addition to the Housing Choice Voucher program, the Howell County Public Housing Agency's Public Housing program is also open to applicants. For eligibility, a family of four must generally meet the Very Low Income limit, which is $38,550 per year in the Howell County area. Applicants are encouraged to verify their specific household income against current guidelines for all available programs.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Wait list priorities apply. The current wait time for a voucher briefing is 3 months. The program does not offer property to rent. You are responsible for finding the home of your choice.

View original notice — oaiwp.org

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Additional Notes

Public Housing accepts pre-applications at the program level. Eligibility depends on annual gross income, age or disability status, and US citizenship or eligible immigration; declining two invitations may result in removal from the waitlist.

Other Programs

3 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.

Mainstream Voucher
Pending

No current waitlist information found for this program for Howell County Public Housing Agency (MO217).

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No current waitlist information found for this program for Howell County Public Housing Agency (MO217).

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 current waitlist information found for this program for Howell County Public Housing Agency (MO217).

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

Status History

Public Housing Opened Feb 22, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 19, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Contact Howell County Public Housing Agency directly at (417) 256-6147 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 710 E Main St
City West Plains, MO 65775
PHA Code MO217
Section 8 Units 740

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 Howell County Public Housing Agency

1

Check Current Status

Howell County Public Housing Agency currently has 2 open waiting lists (HCV, 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 Howell County Public Housing Agency, 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

Contact Howell County Public Housing Agency directly at (417) 256-6147 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 Howell County Public Housing Agency, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Howell County Public Housing Agency manages approximately 740 assisted housing units (740 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in West Plains. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Howell County Public Housing Agency

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Howell County Public Housing Agency 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 West Plains. This program serves approximately 740 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Howell County Public Housing Agency 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.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at Howell County Public Housing Agency 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 Howell County Public Housing Agency are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in West Plains. 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Howell County Public Housing Agency converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in West Plains maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Howell County Public Housing Agency free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Howell County Public Housing Agency administers 5 programs (HCV, Public Housing, Mainstream, PBV, 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 or in person at their office at 710 E Main St, West Plains, MO.
How long is the wait at Howell County Public Housing Agency?
Wait times at Howell County Public Housing Agency depend on demand in West Plains, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 740 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 22, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Howell County Public Housing Agency 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 Howell County Public Housing Agency, including Housing Authority of the City of West Plains (10 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Thayer (13 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Mammoth Spring (13 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 Howell County Public Housing Agency?
You can reach Howell County Public Housing Agency by phone at (417) 256-6147. Their office is located at 710 E Main St, West Plains, MO 65775. You can also email them at tsanders@oaiwp.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Howell County Public Housing Agency?
Income limits for Howell County Public Housing Agency are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Howell County, MO (currently $64,100). 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.

Howell County Public Housing Agency Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Howell County Public Housing Agency are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Howell 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: $64,100 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.