Virgin Islands Housing Authority
St Thomas, Virgin Islands
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Virgin Islands Housing Authority
The Virgin Islands Housing Authority (VIHA), PHA Code VQ001, serves residents in St. Thomas, St. Thomas County, VI. This authority manages approximately 2,426 assisted housing units across its various programs.
VIHA currently has several housing programs accepting applications. These include the Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program, Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), and Public Housing. The authority also offers Single Room Occupancy (SRO) housing, which may be listed under "Other" program categories.
Potential applicants should note that for a Very Low Income family of four in the St. Thomas Island, VI area, the income limit is $46,400 per year. Applicants are encouraged to review the specific eligibility requirements for each program to ensure they meet all criteria before applying.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 11, 2021
How to Apply
Phone, Email (through referral)
Additional Notes
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program was funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), signed into law on March 11, 2021. Eligibility is limited to individuals and families who are: (1) homeless; (2) at risk of homelessness; (3) fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violen...
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online or In-person or Phone
Additional Notes
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list is currently open. Preferences include near-elderly and victims of domestic violence.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Single Room Occupancy Programs are included in the same pre-application as HCV and PBV and are currently accepting applicants.
Other (Single Room Occupancy) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online, In-person, Mail
Additional Notes
Single Room Occupancy programs are included in the same pre-application as HCV and PBV.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online or In-person or Phone
Additional Notes
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) programs are included in the same pre-application as HCV and Single Room Occupancy programs.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online or In-person or Mail
Additional Notes
VIHA is accepting pre-applications for families and senior/disabled households. Preferences may be given for victims of natural disaster, rent burden, witness protection program, substandard housing, employed/self-employed, official referral from VI Housing Finance Authority's Emergency Housing Program, elderly, or disabled.
SRO Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online or In-person or Phone
Additional Notes
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) programs are included in the same pre-application as HCV and PBV and are currently accepting applicants.
Single Room Occupancy Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Single Room Occupancy Programs are included in the same pre-application as HCV and PBV and are currently accepting applicants.
Other Programs
3 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.
This program is referral-based for individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, fleeing violence, or recently homeless, with referrals made by the USVI Continuum of Care Council on Homelessness. No active waitlist information is currently available.
No current active waitlist information found for this program.
No active waitlist information is currently available for specific RAD programs, though VIHA plans to establish such lists.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Virgin Islands 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 Virgin Islands Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Virgin Islands Housing Authority currently has 8 open waiting lists (Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), HCV, Other, Other (Single Room Occupancy), PBV, Public Housing, SRO, Single Room Occupancy). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Virgin Islands 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 $46,400/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 Virgin Islands 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 Virgin Islands Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Virgin Islands Housing Authority manages approximately 2,426 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in St Thomas. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Virgin Islands Housing Authority
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) open
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. 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 Virgin Islands 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 St Thomas. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Other open
The Other program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other (Single Room Occupancy) open
The Other (Single Room Occupancy) program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Virgin Islands Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in St Thomas. 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 open
Public Housing units at Virgin Islands Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Virgin Islands Housing Authority manages approximately 2,426 Public Housing units in St Thomas. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
SRO open
The SRO program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Single Room Occupancy open
The Single Room Occupancy program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Emergency Housing Voucher closed
The Emergency Housing Voucher program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Virgin Islands 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Virgin Islands Housing Authority converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in St Thomas maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Virgin Islands Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Virgin Islands Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Virgin Islands Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Virgin Islands Housing Authority?
Virgin Islands Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Virgin Islands Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for St. Thomas Island, VI. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $46,400. 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 | $19,500 | $32,450 | $52,000 |
| 2 Persons | $22,300 | $37,100 | $59,400 |
| 3 Persons | $25,100 | $41,750 | $66,850 |
| 4 Persons | $27,850 | $46,400 | $74,250 |
| 5 Persons | $30,100 | $50,100 | $80,200 |
| 6 Persons | $32,350 | $53,850 | $86,150 |
| 7 Persons | $34,550 | $57,550 | $92,100 |
| 8 Persons | $36,800 | $61,250 | $98,050 |
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 Virgin Islands Housing Authority — including across state lines.