Nelson County Housing Authority

Grand Forks, North Dakota

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Nelson County Housing Authority

The Nelson County Housing Authority (PHA Code: ND058) serves residents in Grand Forks, Grand Forks County, North Dakota. This authority is responsible for the management of approximately 25 assisted housing units within its service area.

The waitlists for the Mainstream and Public Housing programs are presently open for new applications. However, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is currently closed. Interested applicants should note the income guidelines for eligibility.

For a family of four residing in the Grand Forks, ND-MN MSA area, the Very Low Income limit is established at $52,200 per year. This threshold helps determine eligibility for the housing assistance programs offered by the authority.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online, In-person, Mail, Phone

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Available for individuals under 62 with a disability, with a significantly shorter waiting period. Income eligibility requires earning less than 80% of the area median income. Local residency preference applies if ID is issued by North Dakota or Minnesota with a Polk County address.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online, In-person, Mail, Phone

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Accepting applications for families and senior/disabled individuals; applications are placed by date and time received. Income eligibility requires earning less than 80% of the area median income. Local residency preference applies if ID is issued by North Dakota or Minnesota with a Polk County address.

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 Section 8 waiting list for Nelson County Housing Authority is currently closed. Income eligibility requires earning less than 80% of the area median income. Local residency preference applies if ID is issued by North Dakota or Minnesota with a Polk County address.

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

Status History

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.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 1405 1st Ave N
City Grand Forks, ND 58203
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 2 open waiting lists (Mainstream, 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 anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

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.

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 Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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 3 programs (Mainstream, Public Housing, 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 March 17, 2026 when the 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?
You can reach Nelson County Housing Authority by phone at (701) 746-2545. Their office is located at 1405 1st Ave N, Grand Forks, ND 58203. You can also email them at thanson@thegfha.org. 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.