Last Updated

23 hours ago

About Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority

The Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA), PHA Code OH041, provides housing assistance in Athens, Athens County, Ohio. AMHA manages approximately 911 assisted housing units. This includes 840 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 71 Public Housing units.

Currently, AMHA is accepting applications for its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Project-Based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing programs. Eligibility for these programs is based on income and other criteria. For example, the Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Athens County, OH area is $44,700 per year.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

Provides housing vouchers that private landlords can redeem for rent. Applications can be submitted by clicking the button to apply for the Section 8 Housing Voucher Program.

View original notice — athensmha.org

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Dew House is funded through Project-based subsidies from HUD. Applications can be submitted by clicking 'Apply for the Dew House Program'.

View original notice — athensmha.org

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Offers secure and affordable public housing. Applications can be submitted by clicking 'Apply For Housing'.

View original notice — athensmha.org

Other Programs

3 programs

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.

Dew House
Pending

The Dew House Program is designed for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families and is funded through Project-based subsidies from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Check with AMHA for details on how to apply.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Mainstream Voucher
Pending

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.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

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.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Athens Metropolitan 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 10 Hope Dr
City Athens, OH 45701
PHA Code OH041
Section 8 Units 840
Public Housing Units 71

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 Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, 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 Athens Metropolitan 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 $44,700/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 Athens Metropolitan 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 Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority manages approximately 911 assisted housing units (840 Section 8, 71 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Athens. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Athens Metropolitan 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 Athens. This program serves approximately 840 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Athens. 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 Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority manages approximately 71 Public Housing units in Athens. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Dew House closed

The Dew House program at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Athens. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at Athens Metropolitan 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 Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Athens maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority administers 6 programs (HCV, PBV, Public Housing, Dew House, Mainstream, RAD) — 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 10 Hope Dr, Athens, OH.
How long is the wait at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority?
Wait times at Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority depend on demand in Athens, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 911 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Athens Metropolitan 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 Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority, including Meigs Metropolitan Housing Authority (23 mi), Hocking Metropolitan Housing Authority (24 mi), Vinton Metropolitan Housing Authority (24 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Ohio and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Ohio.
How do I contact Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority?
You can reach Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority by phone at (740) 592-4481. Their office is located at 10 Hope Dr, Athens, OH 45701. You can also email them at zackd@athensmha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority?
Income limits for Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Athens County, OH (currently $89,400). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $44,700. 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.

Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Athens County, OH. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $44,700. 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 $18,800 $31,300 $50,050
2 Persons $21,450 $35,800 $57,200
3 Persons $26,650 $40,250 $64,350
4 Persons $32,150 $44,700 $71,500
5 Persons $37,650 $48,300 $77,250
6 Persons $43,150 $51,900 $82,950
7 Persons $48,650 $55,450 $88,700
8 Persons $54,150 $59,050 $94,400
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $89,400 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.