Elsa Housing Authority

Elsa, Texas

Last Updated

21 hours ago

About Elsa Housing Authority

Elsa Housing Authority, located in Elsa, Hidalgo County, Texas, manages approximately 255 assisted housing units. This total includes 136 units under the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and 119 Public Housing units.

The authority administers both the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Public Housing program. However, all waiting lists for these programs are currently closed and not accepting new applications. Recent activity indicates that both the Public Housing and HCV waiting lists have transitioned from an unknown status to officially closed.

Eligibility for these programs is determined by income limits. For instance, the very low-income limit for a family of four in the McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA area is currently $39,700 per year.

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

Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

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

Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

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

Status History

Public Housing Closed 2 days ago
HCV Closed Mar 27, 2026

Official Application

Contact Elsa Housing Authority directly at (956) 262-1231 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

City Elsa, TX 78543
PHA Code TX224
Section 8 Units 136
Public Housing Units 119

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 Elsa Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

All 2 waiting lists at Elsa 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 Elsa 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 $39,700/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

Contact Elsa Housing Authority directly at (956) 262-1231 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 Elsa Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Elsa Housing Authority manages approximately 255 assisted housing units (136 Section 8, 119 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Elsa. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Elsa Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Elsa 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 Elsa. This program serves approximately 136 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 Elsa Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Elsa Housing Authority manages approximately 119 Public Housing units in Elsa. 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 Elsa Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Elsa 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.
How long is the wait at Elsa Housing Authority?
Wait times at Elsa Housing Authority depend on demand in Elsa, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 255 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 5, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "unknown" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Elsa 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 Elsa Housing Authority, including Edcouch Housing Authority (2 mi), Hidalgo County Housing Authority (8 mi), Weslaco Housing Authority (9 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Texas and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Texas.
How do I contact Elsa Housing Authority?
You can reach Elsa Housing Authority by phone at (956) 262-1231. You can also email them at sruiz@elsaha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Elsa Housing Authority?
Income limits for Elsa Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA (currently $63,300). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $39,700. 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.

Elsa Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Elsa Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $39,700. 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 $16,700 $27,800 $44,450
2 Persons $21,150 $31,800 $50,800
3 Persons $26,650 $35,750 $57,150
4 Persons $32,150 $39,700 $63,500
5 Persons $37,650 $42,900 $68,600
6 Persons $43,150 $46,100 $73,700
7 Persons $48,650 $49,250 $78,750
8 Persons $52,450 $52,450 $83,850
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $63,300 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.