Nelson County Housing Authority

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Nelson County Housing Authority

Nelson County Housing Authority (HUD agency code ND058) is the public housing agency serving Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. It administers 25 public housing units.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 4 waiting lists at this agency, covering Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, HCV. As of Aug 17, 2026, 3 are open and 1 is closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $52,200 per year, and as Low Income at or below $83,500 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 15 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 16, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Mainstream Vouchers are for individuals under 62 with a disability and have a significantly shorter wait; applicants should indicate disability on the HCV application.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The waiting list is open with no deadline, and managed properties are selecting quickly. All preferences are suspended for property-based housing assistance, but residency preference applies to North Dakota or Polk County, MN residents.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Nelson County Housing Authority is accepting public housing applications for families and senior/disabled individuals, with placement based on the date and time received and no other stated preferences. Applicants need to provide birth certificates, social security cards, and photo IDs for adult household members.

Other Programs

1 program

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 (HCV) program waitlist for the Nelson County Housing Authority in Grand Forks closed on July 31, 2026.

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

Status History

HCV Closed Sep 16, 2026
HCV Opened Sep 14, 2026
HCV Closed Aug 2, 2026
HCV Opened Jul 12, 2026
HCV Closed Jul 10, 2026
HCV Opened Jul 4, 2026
HCV Closed Jun 22, 2026
HCV Opened Jun 3, 2026
HCV Closed May 28, 2026
HCV Opened May 26, 2026
HCV Closed May 8, 2026
HCV Opened Apr 19, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 17, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Nelson County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 1405 1st Ave N
City Grand Forks, ND 58203
Phone
(701) ███-████
Email
███████@thegfha.org
PHA Code ND058
Public Housing Units 25

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 Nelson County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Nelson County Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (Mainstream Voucher, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Nelson County 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 $52,200/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 Nelson County Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Nelson County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Nelson County Housing Authority manages approximately 25 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Grand Forks. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Nelson County Housing Authority

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at Nelson County 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.

PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open

Project-Based Vouchers at Nelson County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Grand Forks. 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 open

Public Housing units at Nelson County Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Nelson County Housing Authority manages approximately 25 Public Housing units in Grand Forks. 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 Nelson County 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 Grand Forks. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Nelson County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Nelson County Housing Authority administers 4 programs (Mainstream Voucher, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)) — 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 1405 1st Ave N, Grand Forks, ND.
How long is the wait at Nelson County Housing Authority?
Wait times at Nelson County Housing Authority depend on demand in Grand Forks, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 25 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on September 16, 2026 when the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Nelson County 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 Nelson County Housing Authority, including Grand Forks Housing Authority, Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority (22 mi), Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Warren (23 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in North Dakota and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in North Dakota.
How do I contact Nelson County Housing Authority?
Nelson County Housing Authority's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 1405 1st Ave N, Grand Forks, ND 58203. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Nelson County Housing Authority?
Income limits for Nelson County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA (currently $102,800). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $52,200. 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.

Nelson County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Nelson County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $52,200. 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 $21,950 $36,550 $58,450
2 Persons $25,050 $41,800 $66,800
3 Persons $28,200 $47,000 $75,150
4 Persons $32,150 $52,200 $83,500
5 Persons $37,650 $56,400 $90,200
6 Persons $43,150 $60,600 $96,900
7 Persons $48,650 $64,750 $103,550
8 Persons $54,150 $68,950 $110,250
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $102,800 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.