Burlington Housing Authority
Burlington, Vermont
Last Updated
2 hours ago
About Burlington Housing Authority
Burlington Housing Authority (HUD agency code VT001) is the public housing agency serving Burlington, Chittenden County, Vermont. It administers 2,467 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 18 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, Mainstream, NED, Other, VASH, FUP, HCV, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of Apr 2, 2026, 12 are open and 5 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 1 further list.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $64,900 per year, and as Low Income at or below $103,850 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 17 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 27, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 20, 2024
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This waitlist opened on May 20, 2024, for Burlington Homes and Spencer Brown Thomas Homes, requiring applicants to be 62 years of age or older, and Section 8 vouchers/HCV are not accepted.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Mainstream Voucher program gives preference to households where the Head of Household is under 62 and has a disability, and residency preference no longer applies.
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The NED program assists single, disabled individuals under age 62 or families where the head of household or spouse is disabled and under age 62. Application is via the preliminary application for housing/rental assistance.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
The Offender Re-Entry Housing Program (ORHP) is open to participants under Vermont D.O.C. supervision in Chittenden County, with referrals made by Department of Corrections Staff. Eligibility requires at least nine months left on a sentence, and the program supports those with mental health, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse issues.
CoC
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Provides rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services.
Continuum of Care (CoC)
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
CoC grants provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services, with applications available for pickup in person at BHA offices or for printing.
Continuum of Care (CoC) Grants
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
CoC grants provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services. Applications can be picked up in person at BHA offices or printed.
Multiple (Preliminary Application)
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Applications are for assisted housing and rental assistance programs, generally considered in order of receipt, with priority for Chittenden County residents. Eligibility is based on income, family size, and other factors, requiring Social Security cards for all household members.
Offender Re-Entry (ORHP)
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral
Additional Notes
This program is open to participants returning to or living in Chittenden County, Vermont, and under Vermont Department of Corrections supervision. Referrals are made by Department of Corrections Staff. Preference is given to applicants with at least one year of supervision, and the program is open to those with major mental health problems, developmental disabilities, substance abuse issues, and other disabilities if a treatment team is in place.
Rental Assistance (CoC Grants)
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Income limits apply, and applications can be picked up, requested by phone, or downloaded online.
The Courtyard
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This is one of the various open waiting lists managed by the Burlington Housing Authority.
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Available to veterans referred to BHA through the Veterans Administration (VA) and includes supportive services.
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 Family Unification Program (FUP) currently has no open waiting lists.
As there are a limited number of Housing Choice Vouchers available, most applicants will be placed on a waiting list. The wait for assistance can be five years or longer. The wait for a property can be two to four years.
Project-Based Program Voucher (PBV) provides rental assistance attached to specific apartments. Applications can be picked up in person or printed from a link.
The Public Housing waitlist was last open until September 1, 2022, and is currently closed. Priority is given to residents of Chittenden County. The wait for a property can be two to four years.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) properties are BHA-owned PBV properties where preference is given to elderly individuals (62+) or people living with disabilities.
No active waitlist information is currently available for Continuum of Care (CoC) grants, which provide rental assistance for participants receiving non-federally funded social services.
Status History
Deadline: Dec 26, 2030
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Burlington 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 Burlington Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Burlington Housing Authority currently has 12 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Mainstream Voucher, Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher, Other Programs, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Burlington 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 $64,900/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 Burlington Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Burlington Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Burlington Housing Authority manages approximately 2,467 assisted housing units (2,467 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Burlington. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Burlington Housing Authority
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Burlington 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. The application window closes on December 26, 2030.
NED Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher open
The Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Voucher program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) open
The HUD-VASH program at Burlington Housing Authority combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Burlington. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) closed
The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Burlington Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Burlington. 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 Burlington 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 Burlington. This program serves approximately 2,467 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Burlington Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Burlington. 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 Burlington 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 Burlington Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Burlington maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Burlington Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Burlington Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Burlington Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Burlington Housing Authority?
Burlington Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Burlington Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Burlington-South Burlington, VT MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $64,900. 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 | $27,300 | $45,450 | $72,700 |
| 2 Persons | $31,200 | $51,950 | $83,100 |
| 3 Persons | $35,100 | $58,450 | $93,500 |
| 4 Persons | $38,950 | $64,900 | $103,850 |
| 5 Persons | $42,100 | $70,100 | $112,200 |
| 6 Persons | $45,200 | $75,300 | $120,500 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $80,500 | $128,800 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $85,700 | $137,100 |
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 Burlington Housing Authority — including across state lines.