Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Buffalo, New York
Last Updated
20 hours ago
About Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA), located in Buffalo, Erie County, New York, manages approximately 4,759 assisted housing units. These units include 4,142 Public Housing units and 617 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units. BMHA administers various housing programs designed to provide affordable housing options to eligible families and individuals within its service area.
Currently, the Public Housing waitlist is open for applications. For example, the very low-income limit for a family of four in the Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY MSA area is $50,500 per year. While the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) waitlist is now closed, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist, which was previously closed, is anticipated to open soon. The status of other programs like Mainstream and RAD is not yet known. Applicants interested in Public Housing should submit their applications promptly.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority is currently accepting Public Housing waiting list applications for families and senior/disabled households. Preferences include those displaced by government action or natural disaster, current or former BMHA employees, and veterans.
Other Programs
4 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 last opened in July/August 2022 and closed on July 22, 2022. Applicants were selected via a randomized computer lottery, with income limits generally below 50% of the Area Median Income.
Application for Project-Based Voucher waiting lists was part of the general HCV waiting list application process.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Buffalo Municipal 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 $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
Apply directly through the official Buffalo Municipal 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.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority manages approximately 4,759 assisted housing units (617 Section 8, 4,142 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Buffalo. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority manages approximately 4,142 Public Housing units in Buffalo. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Buffalo Municipal 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 Buffalo. This program serves approximately 617 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Buffalo. 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.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Buffalo Municipal 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Buffalo maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority?
Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority 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 Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority — including across state lines.