Union County Housing Authority
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Last Updated
20 hours ago
About Union County Housing Authority
The Union County Housing Authority (UCHA), located in Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey, manages approximately 439 assisted housing units, primarily through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. All waiting lists for housing assistance programs offered by UCHA are currently closed.
The programs administered by UCHA include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Other (Disabled/Specific Needs Housing), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and RAD programs. All of these programs currently have closed waiting lists. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit is $67,650 annually in the Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area, which applies to eligibility when waitlists reopen.
Applicants should be aware that all program waiting lists are presently closed. Individuals interested in future housing assistance should periodically check for announcements regarding waitlist openings.
Other Programs
7 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.
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waitlist is currently closed and not accepting applications until further notice. Selection is based on the date and time of application, in accordance with the Administrative Plan's selection preferences.
This waiting list is closed and requires a household member to be permanently disabled, between 18 and 62 years old, and a resident or worker in Union County for eligibility.
The waiting list for the Union County Housing Assistance Program is currently closed. Eligible applicants must have a permanently disabled household member aged 18-62, reside or work in Union County, and meet income limits.
The waiting list for the Union County Housing Assistance Program, which serves permanently disabled individuals aged 18-62, is closed. Eligibility requires a household member to be a Union County resident or worker within specific income limits.
The Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth (HACE) Rental Assistance Department is not currently accepting Project-Based applications. Project-Based Vouchers are limited to a particular property or project.
The Public Housing waiting list is currently closed; the Housing Authority of the City of Elizabeth is not accepting applications at this time.
All waiting lists in Elizabeth, including for RAD programs offered by the Union County Housing Authority, are currently closed.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Union County Housing Authority directly at (732) 382-8100 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
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 Union County Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All 7 waiting lists at Union County Housing Authority are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Union County Housing Authority, 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 $67,650/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.
Submit Your Application
Contact Union County Housing Authority directly at (732) 382-8100 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Union County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Union County Housing Authority manages approximately 439 assisted housing units (439 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Elizabeth. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Union County Housing Authority
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Union County Housing Authority 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 Elizabeth. This program serves approximately 439 households. 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 Union County Housing Authority 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.
Other closed
The Other program at Union County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Elizabeth. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other (Disabled/Specific Needs Housing) closed
The Other (Disabled/Specific Needs Housing) program at Union County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Elizabeth. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Union County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Elizabeth. 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 Union County Housing Authority 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Union County Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Elizabeth maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Union County Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Union County Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Union County Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Union County Housing Authority?
Union County Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Union County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $67,650. 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 | $28,450 | $47,400 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $32,500 | $54,150 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $36,550 | $60,900 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $40,600 | $67,650 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $43,850 | $73,100 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $47,100 | $78,500 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $50,350 | $83,900 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $89,300 | $137,550 |
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 Union County Housing Authority — including across state lines.