Houston Housing Authority
Houston, Texas
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Houston Housing Authority
Houston Housing Authority (HUD agency code TX005) is the public housing agency serving Houston, Harris County, Texas. It administers 2,729 public housing units and 19,237 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 6 waiting lists at this agency, covering HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of Jun 13, 2026, all 6 tracked lists are closed to new applications.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $50,550 per year, and as Low Income at or below $80,900 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 10 status changes at this agency, most recently on Jul 8, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Other Programs
6 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 Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list is currently closed. It was last open for one week in September 2016. When open, preferences included homeless and transition age youth aging out of foster care, with placement determined by random lottery.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance for non-elderly persons with disabilities.
No specific details on application or preferences available.
Project-Based Voucher waiting lists vary by property and are generally closed. A past opening for Rosemary's Place on April 10, 2025, required referrals from homeless response agencies. Applicants can register with the Houston Housing Authority through the Rent Cafe portal for PBV information.
A site-based public housing lottery for eight properties closed on July 6, 2026, after accepting applications from June 22, 2026. Applicants could select up to three property waitlists, and placement was determined by a random lottery. In-person and phone assistance were available during the application period.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Deadline: Jul 6, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Houston 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 Houston Housing Authority
Check Current Status
All 6 waiting lists at Houston 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.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Houston 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 $50,550/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 Houston Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Houston Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Houston Housing Authority manages approximately 21,966 assisted housing units (19,237 Section 8, 2,729 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Houston. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Houston Housing Authority
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Houston 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 Houston. This program serves approximately 19,237 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Houston 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 Houston Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Houston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Houston Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Houston. 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 Houston Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Houston Housing Authority manages approximately 2,729 Public Housing units in Houston. 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 Houston Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Houston maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Houston Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Houston Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Houston Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Houston Housing Authority?
Houston Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Houston Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,550. 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 | $21,250 | $35,400 | $56,650 |
| 2 Persons | $24,300 | $40,450 | $64,750 |
| 3 Persons | $27,350 | $45,500 | $72,850 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $50,550 | $80,900 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $54,600 | $87,400 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $58,650 | $93,850 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $62,700 | $100,350 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $66,750 | $106,800 |
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 Houston Housing Authority — including across state lines.