Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Orange
The Housing Authority of the City of Orange (HACONJ), located in Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, provides affordable housing assistance to eligible residents. The authority manages approximately 1,154 assisted housing units, which include 748 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 406 Public Housing units.
Currently, all waiting lists for HACONJ's programs are closed. This includes both the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Public Housing program. No new applications are being accepted at this time.
For future reference, the very low-income limit for a family of four in the Newark, NJ HUD Metro FMR Area, which includes Orange, is $67,650 per year. Potential applicants should monitor official announcements for any changes in waitlist status.
Other Programs
2 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.
Preferences included living in the City of Orange, being a victim of domestic violence, and flood victims; selected applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery, by order of preferences.
This refers to the Walter G. Alexander I, 2-Bedroom Public Housing waiting list, which was previously open and is now closed.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Housing Authority of the City of Orange directly at (973) 675-1250 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange
Check Current Status
All 2 waiting lists at Housing Authority of the City of Orange 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange, 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange directly at (973) 675-1250 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Orange manages approximately 1,154 assisted housing units (748 Section 8, 406 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Orange. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Orange
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Orange 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 Orange. This program serves approximately 748 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange 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 Orange manages approximately 406 Public Housing units in Orange. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Orange free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Orange?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Orange?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Orange?
Housing Authority of the City of Orange Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Orange 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 Housing Authority of the City of Orange — including across state lines.