Austin Housing Authority
Austin, Texas
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Austin Housing Authority
Austin Housing Authority (HUD agency code TX001) is the public housing agency serving Austin, Travis County, Texas. It administers 7,047 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 12 waiting lists at this agency, covering FSS, EHV, HCV, LIHTC, Mainstream, Other, PBRA, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, Stability. As of Aug 14, 2026, 1 is open and 11 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $66,900 per year, and as Low Income at or below $104,200 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 23 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 19, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person
Additional Notes
This program is exclusively for current Housing Choice Voucher participants in good standing; applications are accepted by submitting an interest form at HACA's central office.
Other Programs
10 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.
The Emergency Housing Voucher program has received referrals for all available vouchers and is currently closed to new applications directly from the public.
Previous preferences for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list included elderly, disabled, involuntarily displaced, homeless, families with minor children, residents of Travis, Hays, Bastrop, Caldwell, or Williamson County, and current HACA RAD tenants; 2,000 applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery.
HACA administers 18 LIHTC waiting lists; eligibility requires household income below HUD limits, head of household 18+ or emancipated minor, and at least one eligible citizen/non-citizen.
A limited waitlist opening occurred in January 2019.
For Stability Vouchers (SV), the Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) cannot accept direct applications; referrals are exclusively accepted from the local Coordinated Entry System (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition - ECHO). This program serves low-income individuals and families who are homeless or at risk, fleeing domestic violence, or veterans.
HACA cannot accept direct applications; referrals are exclusively accepted from the local Coordinated Entry System (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition - ECHO).
All Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) waiting lists for HACA properties, including Pathways at Northgate, Gaston Place Apartments, and others, are currently closed. Eligibility typically requires the head of household to be 18 or older and total household income to be below HUD limits.
Various project-based rental assistance waiting lists, such as for Thurmond Heights and Pathways properties, are currently closed; past openings had preferences like elderly, disabled, or involuntarily displaced.
To be eligible, the Head of Household must be 18 or older or a legally emancipated minor, the total household income must be below HUD limits, and at least one person in the household must be an eligible citizen or non-citizen.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) waitlist is currently closed.
The Housing Authority of the City of Austin (HACA) cannot accept direct applications for Stability Vouchers; referrals are exclusively accepted from the local Coordinated Entry System (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition - ECHO).
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Austin 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
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 Austin Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Austin Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Austin 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 $66,900/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
Apply directly through the official Austin Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Austin Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Austin Housing Authority manages approximately 7,047 assisted housing units (7,047 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Austin. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Austin Housing Authority
FSS Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) open
The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
EHV Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Austin 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 Austin. This program serves approximately 7,047 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
LIHTC Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) closed
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Austin 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.
Other Other Programs closed
The Other Programs program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBRA Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) closed
The Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Austin Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Austin. 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 closed
Public Housing units at Austin Housing Authority 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Austin Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Austin maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Stability Stability Voucher closed
The Stability Voucher program at Austin Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Austin. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Austin Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Austin Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Austin Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Austin Housing Authority?
Austin Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Austin Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $66,900. 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 | $28,150 | $46,850 | $72,950 |
| 2 Persons | $32,150 | $53,550 | $83,400 |
| 3 Persons | $36,150 | $60,250 | $93,800 |
| 4 Persons | $40,150 | $66,900 | $104,200 |
| 5 Persons | $43,400 | $72,300 | $112,550 |
| 6 Persons | $46,600 | $77,650 | $120,900 |
| 7 Persons | $49,800 | $83,000 | $129,250 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $88,350 | $137,550 |
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 Austin Housing Authority — including across state lines.