About El Paso County Housing Authority

The El Paso County Housing Authority (PHA Code: TX538) is located in Fabens, El Paso County, Texas. This authority provides various housing assistance programs designed to support eligible low-income individuals and families within the region.

Currently, the Authority is accepting applications for its Foster Youth Housing Initiative, Public Housing, and VASH programs. Programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Mainstream are presently closed to new applicants.

Eligibility for assistance depends on specific income criteria. For example, a family of four must not exceed a Very Low Income limit of $39,700 per year for the El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. Applicants interested in housing assistance should regularly check the Authority's official channels for updates on waitlist openings or changes in program statuses.

Foster Youth Housing Initiative Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

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

Additional Notes

This is a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program for young adults 18-25 who aged out of foster care or were assisted by the Department of Family Protective Services.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

This is a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher for low-income veterans experiencing homelessness, with supportive services by the local VA department.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Feb 22, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Applications are placed on a waiting list according to the date and time of application, unit size, and local preference. Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

This is a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher for low-income veterans experiencing homelessness, with supportive services by the local VA department.

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.

Mainstream Voucher
Closed

This program assists income-eligible non-elderly persons with disabilities (ages 18-61); applicants are selected from the EPCHA's housing choice voucher waiting list.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No specific waitlist information found for this program type at this housing authority.

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

No active waitlist information currently available; this program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance.

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

Status History

HCV Opened 18 hours ago
HCV Closed Mar 27, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 25, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 25, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 23, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 19, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 14, 2026
Mainstream Closed Feb 27, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 22, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 22, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official El Paso County 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

City Fabens, TX 79838
Email ed@epcha.com
PHA Code TX538

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 El Paso County Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

El Paso County Housing Authority currently has 4 open waiting lists (Foster Youth Housing Initiative, HCV, Public Housing, VASH). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at El Paso County 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

Apply directly through the official El Paso County 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 El Paso County Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wait times vary from 6 months to over 5 years depending on local demand and funding. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at El Paso County Housing Authority

Foster Youth Housing Initiative open

The Foster Youth Housing Initiative program at El Paso County Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Fabens. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at El Paso County 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 Fabens. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at El Paso County 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.

VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing open

The HUD-VASH program at El Paso County Housing Authority combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Fabens. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed

Mainstream Vouchers at El Paso County 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 El Paso County Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Fabens. 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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at El Paso County Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Fabens maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at El Paso County Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. El Paso County Housing Authority administers 7 programs (Foster Youth Housing Initiative, HCV, Public Housing, VASH, Mainstream, PBV, 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.
How long is the wait at El Paso County Housing Authority?
Wait times at El Paso County Housing Authority depend on demand in Fabens, funding levels, and your priority status. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 7, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact El Paso County 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 7 other housing authorities within 100 miles of El Paso County Housing Authority, including El Paso County Housing Authority (3 mi), Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (27 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Sunland Park (35 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 El Paso County Housing Authority?
You can reach El Paso County Housing Authority by phone at (915) 764-3559. You can also email them at ed@epcha.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for El Paso County Housing Authority?
Income limits for El Paso County Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $72,800). 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.

El Paso County Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the El Paso County Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for El Paso, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. 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: $72,800 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.