Town of Amherst
Amherst, New York
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Town of Amherst
Town of Amherst (HUD agency code NY091) is the public housing agency serving Amherst, Erie County, New York. It administers 5,696 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 8 waiting lists at this agency, covering Other, Rehabilitation, HCV, Homeownership, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of Aug 12, 2026, 2 are open and 6 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $50,500 per year, and as Low Income at or below $80,800 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 9 status changes at this agency, most recently on Aug 19, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Phone, Mail, Email, Fax
Additional Notes
The Housing Rehabilitation Program provides eligible residents with a long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loan for necessary home repairs, with approximately a one-year waiting list.
Housing Rehabilitation Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 8, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This program provides long-term, interest-free, deferred payment loans for necessary home repairs and has approximately a one-year waiting list. Applications can be submitted via phone at (716) 631-7082, mail, email at rboerschig@amherst.ny.us, or fax.
Other Programs
6 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 Section 8 (HCV) waitlist for the Town of Amherst, NY, is currently closed. To inquire about future openings, it is advised to call the housing authority or check their website.
The First-Time Homebuyer Program is currently closed to new applicants, providing interest-free, deferred loans for downpayment and closing costs.
The Mainstream program was closed as of May 19, 2026.
The Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) program was closed as of May 19, 2026.
The Public Housing waitlist for Amherst, New York, is currently closed. The Amherst Housing Authority operates 5,540 public housing units.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program was closed as of May 19, 2026.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Town of Amherst directly 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 Town of Amherst
Check Current Status
Town of Amherst currently has 2 open waiting lists (Other Programs, Housing Rehabilitation). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Town of Amherst, 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 $50,500/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 Town of Amherst directly at 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 Town of Amherst, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Town of Amherst manages approximately 5,696 assisted housing units (5,696 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Amherst. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Town of Amherst
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Rehabilitation Housing Rehabilitation open
The Housing Rehabilitation program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Town of Amherst 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 Amherst. This program serves approximately 5,696 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Homeownership Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance closed
The Homeownership & Homebuyer Assistance program at Town of Amherst provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Amherst. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Town of Amherst 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 (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Town of Amherst are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Amherst. 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 Town of Amherst 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 (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Town of Amherst converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Amherst maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Town of Amherst free?
How long is the wait at Town of Amherst?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Town of Amherst?
What are the income limits for Town of Amherst?
Town of Amherst Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Town of Amherst are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,500. 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 | $21,250 | $35,350 | $56,600 |
| 2 Persons | $24,250 | $40,400 | $64,650 |
| 3 Persons | $27,300 | $45,450 | $72,750 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,500 | $80,800 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,550 | $87,300 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,600 | $93,750 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $62,650 | $100,200 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $66,700 | $106,700 |
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 Town of Amherst — including across state lines.