Cranston Housing Authority

Cranston, Rhode Island

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Cranston Housing Authority

The Cranston Housing Authority (CHA), situated in Cranston, Providence County, Rhode Island, provides housing assistance through various programs. It manages approximately 876 assisted housing units, comprising 262 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 614 Public Housing units.

Currently, all waiting lists for the Cranston Housing Authority's programs are closed to new applications. This includes both the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and all Public Housing programs. The Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area is $57,150 per year.

Prospective applicants interested in housing assistance from the Cranston Housing Authority should periodically check for official announcements regarding the reopening of any waiting lists.

Other Programs

2 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waitlist is currently closed. Information regarding future openings is not available on the provided page.

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

The Public Housing waitlist is currently closed. Information regarding future openings is not available on the provided page.

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

Status History

Public Housing Closed Feb 27, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 26, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 22, 2026

Official Application

Contact Cranston Housing Authority directly at (401) 944-7210 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

Address 50 Birch St
City Cranston, RI 02920
PHA Code RI006
Section 8 Units 262
Public Housing Units 614

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 Cranston Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

All 2 waiting lists at Cranston Housing Authority are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Cranston 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 $57,150/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

Contact Cranston Housing Authority directly at (401) 944-7210 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Cranston Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Cranston Housing Authority manages approximately 876 assisted housing units (262 Section 8, 614 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Cranston. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Cranston Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Cranston 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 Cranston. This program serves approximately 262 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Cranston Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Cranston Housing Authority manages approximately 614 Public Housing units in Cranston. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Cranston Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Cranston Housing Authority administers 2 programs (HCV, Public Housing) — 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 or in person at their office at 50 Birch St, Cranston, RI.
How long is the wait at Cranston Housing Authority?
Wait times at Cranston Housing Authority depend on demand in Cranston, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 876 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 27, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Cranston 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 Cranston Housing Authority, including Housing Authority Providence (2 mi), Rhode Island Housing (2 mi), Gateway Healthcare, Inc. (3 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Rhode Island and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Rhode Island.
How do I contact Cranston Housing Authority?
You can reach Cranston Housing Authority by phone at (401) 944-7210. Their office is located at 50 Birch St, Cranston, RI 02920. You can also email them at rcoupe@cranhousing.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Cranston Housing Authority?
Income limits for Cranston Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $114,300). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $57,150. 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.

Cranston Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Cranston Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Providence-Fall River, RI-MA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,150. 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 $24,050 $40,050 $64,050
2 Persons $27,450 $45,750 $73,200
3 Persons $30,900 $51,450 $82,350
4 Persons $34,300 $57,150 $91,450
5 Persons $37,650 $61,750 $98,800
6 Persons $43,150 $66,300 $106,100
7 Persons $48,650 $70,900 $113,400
8 Persons $54,150 $75,450 $120,750
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $114,300 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.