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About Austin Housing Authority
The Austin Housing Authority (AHA), identified by PHA Code TX001, provides housing assistance in Austin, Travis County, Texas. The authority manages approximately 7,047 assisted housing units, primarily through Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. For applicants seeking assistance, the Public Housing program is currently open. Other programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), are currently closed to new applications. The status of Mainstream and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) is unknown.
Applicants interested in Public Housing should note its current open status. Eligibility for housing assistance programs is determined by factors including household size and income. For example, a family of four applying for Very Low Income housing in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX MSA area currently faces an income limit of $66,900 per year. Potential applicants should confirm specific eligibility requirements directly with the authority.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
HACA administers 18 waiting lists for its Public Housing, Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA), and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties. Placement on a waiting list is based on a submitted online pre-application and eligibility for currently open lists, with preferences applied.
View original notice — hacanet.orgOther Programs
5 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.
HACA and TDHCA Housing Choice Voucher waitlists are closed. The last HCV waitlist opening was from Sept. 17 through Sept. 24, 2018, and 2,000 pre-applications were randomly selected via a lottery.
Waiting lists for Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties are administered by HACA. Check www.hacanet.org for the waiting list status.
Waiting list status varies by property. For example, the Pathways at Thurmond Heights waiting list was open from September 18, 2023, until September 20, 2023. The Pathways at Bouldin Oaks and Pathways at Manchaca II waiting list was last open from January 19, 2022, until January 21, 2022. Applica...
The Mainstream Voucher Program assists non-elderly, disabled individuals and families experiencing homelessness; HACA cannot accept direct applications and requires referrals from the local Coordinated Entry System.
The website mentions applying for Project-Based Rental Assistance properties at www.hacaapply.org, but does not explicitly state the current status of the PBV waitlist.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Austin Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: 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 (Public Housing). 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 anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
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
Public Housing Public Housing open
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.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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 closed
The 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.
PBRA closed
The 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.
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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher 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.
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.