City of Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Last Updated
21 hours ago
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waitlist opens in 85 days — Dec 30, 2026
About City of Buffalo
City of Buffalo (HUD agency code NY409) is the public housing agency serving Buffalo, Erie County, New York. It administers 5,329 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 8 waiting lists at this agency, covering Other, Public Housing, HCV, Mainstream, Mod Rehab, PBV, RAD. As of May 16, 2026, 3 are open and 5 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 Jul 29, 2026.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person, Mail
Additional Notes
This refers to the Marine Drive Apartments, a New York State-governed public housing development. Pre-screening interviews are required when applications are dropped off, and applications cannot be submitted online. Applicants must meet income eligibility, citizenship/immigration requirements, and pass background checks. Paper applications can be picked up at the Marine Drive Apartments Management Office (205 Marine Drive, Buffalo, NY 14202).
Marine Drive Apartments
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person, Mail
Additional Notes
This is a New York State-governed public housing development; applicants must meet income eligibility, citizenship/immigration requirements, and pass background checks, with pre-screening interviews required.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Eligibility is based on income, family type (elderly, disabled, family), and citizenship/immigration status; pre-screening interviews are required for in-person applications.
Opening Soon
1 upcomingSection 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens Dec 30, 2026
Details
The waitlist is expected to reopen sometime in 2026; future openings will be advertised through local media, the BMHA website, and social media.
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.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
The Rental Assistance Corporation of Buffalo (RACB) administers the Moderate Rehabilitation program for the City of Buffalo (PHA code NY409), and its waiting list is currently closed.
Project-Based Vouchers were part of the 2022 HCV application period, where applicants could select specific project-based waiting lists. Its status is tied to the general HCV waitlist.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance.
Status History
Official Application
Contact City of Buffalo 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 City of Buffalo
Check Current Status
City of Buffalo currently has 3 open waiting lists (Other Programs, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at City of Buffalo, 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 City of Buffalo 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 City of Buffalo, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. City of Buffalo manages approximately 5,329 assisted housing units (5,329 Section 8), 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 City of Buffalo
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at City of Buffalo provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Buffalo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at City of Buffalo 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.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at City of Buffalo 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 5,329 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 City of Buffalo 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.
Mod Rehab Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) closed
The Moderate Rehabilitation (Mod Rehab) program at City of Buffalo provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Buffalo. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at City of Buffalo 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at City of Buffalo 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 City of Buffalo free?
How long is the wait at City of Buffalo?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact City of Buffalo?
What are the income limits for City of Buffalo?
City of Buffalo Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the City of Buffalo 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 City of Buffalo — including across state lines.