About Housing Authority of the Town of Salem

The Housing Authority of the Town of Salem, located in Salem, Rockingham County, New Hampshire, oversees approximately 158 assisted housing units. This authority currently accepts applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs.

The waitlist for the Housing Choice Voucher program recently changed from closed to open, making it available for new applicants. Eligibility for these programs depends on income, with the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Lawrence, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area currently set at $70,650 per year. Interested individuals should contact the Housing Authority of the Town of Salem for details on how to apply and specific eligibility criteria for all available programs.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online, Mail, Phone

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Administered by New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority (NHHFA), this program requires applicant incomes to be below 50% of the Area Median Income. Eligibility includes providing SSNs for household members, meeting immigration/citizenship status, and not owing money to housing authorities; estimated wait time is 7-9 years, with preferences impacting wait times.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Mail, In-person, Phone

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

The Public Housing Program is for low-income elderly and/or disabled households (head/co-head 62+ or disabled) and has income limits. Residency in Salem is not required to apply. Application forms can be requested by telephone, mail, or picked up in person during business hours and returned by mail or in person.

Other Programs

5 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.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
Pending

The Downing Way LIHTC program requires all household members to be at least 62 years of age and meet applicable income limits. Contact the office by phone for information about income limits.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
LIHTC (Downing Way)
Pending

Waiting lists exist; contact the office for status and estimated waiting times. All household members must be at least 62 years of age and qualify within applicable income limits.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit)
Pending

The Housing Authority manages 24 rental units under the LIHTC program, known as Downing Way, for households where all members are at least 62 years of age and meet income limits. Contact the office by phone for information about the waiting list status.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
Pending

This program, known as Downing Way, manages 24 rental units where all household members must be at least 62 years of age and qualify within applicable income limits. Contact the office by phone for more information on the waiting list status and application process.

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

The Salem Housing Authority also manages 24 rental units under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program known as Downing Way; no specific waiting list status or application information is available online, and interested parties are advised to contact the office by phone.

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

Status History

HCV Opened Mar 22, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the Town of Salem portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 70 Telfer Cir
City Salem, NH 03079
PHA Code NH017
Public Housing Units 158

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 Town of Salem

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the Town of Salem 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 Housing Authority of the Town 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 $70,650/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 Town 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 Town of Salem, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the Town of Salem manages approximately 158 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 Town of Salem

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the Town 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.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the Town 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 Town of Salem manages approximately 158 Public Housing units in Salem. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

LIHTC closed

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

LIHTC (Downing Way) closed

The LIHTC (Downing Way) program at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Salem. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) closed

The LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit) program at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Salem. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) closed

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Salem. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

other closed

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the Town of Salem administers 7 programs (HCV, Public Housing, LIHTC, LIHTC (Downing Way), LIHTC (Low Income Housing Tax Credit), Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), other) — 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 70 Telfer Cir, Salem, NH.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the Town of Salem depend on demand in Salem, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 158 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 22, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the Town 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 Town of Salem, including Methuen Housing Authority (3 mi), Lawrence Housing Authority (5 mi), Haverhill Housing Authority (7 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in New Hampshire and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in New Hampshire.
How do I contact Housing Authority of the Town of Salem?
You can reach Housing Authority of the Town of Salem by phone at (603) 893-6417. Their office is located at 70 Telfer Cir, Salem, NH 03079. You can also email them at director@salemhousing.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the Town of Salem?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the Town of Salem are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Lawrence, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $141,300). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $70,650. 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 Town of Salem Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the Town of Salem are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Lawrence, MA-NH HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $70,650. 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 $29,700 $49,500 $72,950
2 Persons $33,950 $56,550 $83,400
3 Persons $38,200 $63,600 $93,800
4 Persons $42,400 $70,650 $104,200
5 Persons $45,800 $76,350 $112,550
6 Persons $49,200 $82,000 $120,900
7 Persons $52,600 $87,650 $129,250
8 Persons $56,000 $93,300 $137,550
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $141,300 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.