About Montclair Housing Authority

The Montclair Housing Authority (PHA Code: NJ086) serves Montclair, Essex County, New Jersey. It manages approximately 325 assisted housing units, primarily utilizing 325 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. This authority plays a key role in providing affordable housing opportunities within the community.

Currently, the Montclair Housing Authority is accepting applications for its Affordable Housing and Other programs. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs are presently closed to new applications. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit is $67,650 per year, consistent with the Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants should confirm current income thresholds directly with the authority.

Affordable Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Montclair's affordable housing waiting list, managed by Acuity Consulting Services for the Township, is open for both sales and rental units; applicants must meet income limits and other state criteria, with selection based on household size, income, residency, or employment.

Affordable Housing (Sales & Rental) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Jun 11, 2025

How to Apply

Online or Phone

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Montclair's waiting list for affordable housing, managed by Acuity Consulting Services for the Township, is currently open for both sales and rental units. Applicants must meet income limits and other state criteria; they are contacted as units become available based on household size, income, and residency or employment. For those without computer access, call 908-824-6207.

Other Waitlist

Status

open

Additional Notes

Montclair's waiting list for affordable housing, managed by Acuity Consulting Services for the Township, is currently open for both sales and rental units. Applicants must meet income limits and other state criteria; they are contacted as units become available based on household size, income, and residency or employment.

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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (also known as the Section 8 Program) is not accepting any new applicants at this time.

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

The Montclair Housing Authority's Public Housing waiting list is currently closed. When open, pre-applications were accepted, and applicants could not deselect any property; declining two invitations resulted in application purging.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No active waitlist information currently available.

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

Status History

Other Opening Soon 20 hours ago
Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Montclair Housing Authority 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 205 Claremont Ave
City Montclair, NJ 07042
PHA Code NJ086
Section 8 Units 325

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 Montclair Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Montclair Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Sales & Rental), Other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Montclair 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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Montclair Housing Authority 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 Montclair Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Montclair Housing Authority manages approximately 325 assisted housing units (325 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Montclair. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Montclair Housing Authority

Affordable Housing open

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

Affordable Housing (Sales & Rental) open

The Affordable Housing (Sales & Rental) program at Montclair Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Montclair. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other open

The Other program at Montclair Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Montclair. 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 Montclair 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 Montclair. This program serves approximately 325 households. 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 Montclair 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.

PBV Project-Based Voucher closed

Project-Based Vouchers at Montclair Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Montclair. 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Montclair Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Montclair Housing Authority administers 6 programs (Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Sales & Rental), Other, HCV, Public Housing, PBV) — 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 205 Claremont Ave, Montclair, NJ.
How long is the wait at Montclair Housing Authority?
Wait times at Montclair Housing Authority depend on demand in Montclair, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 325 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 7, 2026 when the Other list changed from "open" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Montclair Housing Authority 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 Montclair Housing Authority, including Bloomfield Township Housing Authority (2 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Orange (3 mi), West Orange Housing Authority (3 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in New Jersey and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in New Jersey.
How do I contact Montclair Housing Authority?
You can reach Montclair Housing Authority by phone at (973) 509-4936. Their office is located at 205 Claremont Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. You can also email them at sanderson@montclairnjusa.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Montclair Housing Authority?
Income limits for Montclair Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $135,300). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $67,650. 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.

Montclair Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Montclair 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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $135,300 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.