Virgin Islands Housing Authority
St Thomas, Virgin Islands
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Virgin Islands Housing Authority
Virgin Islands Housing Authority (HUD agency code VQ001) is the public housing agency serving St Thomas, St. Thomas County, Virgin Islands. It administers 2,426 public housing units.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 11 waiting lists at this agency, covering EHV, Other, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, SRO, HCV, Mainstream. As of Jul 14, 2026, 9 are open and 2 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the St. Thomas Island, VI area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $46,400 per year, and as Low Income at or below $74,250 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 9 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 19, 2026.
Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Jun 11, 2026
How to Apply
Phone
Additional Notes
Eligibility is limited to individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence; applications are accepted through referral.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
This refers to the waiting list opening for the Estate Donoe Redevelopment (Tutu Phase I).
Estate Donoe Redevelopment
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
Online, In-person
Additional Notes
Priority is given to families who previously lived at the former Estate Donoe site, then Tutu High Rise site; this community offers 84 newly constructed one, two, and three-bedroom units.
Estate Donoe Redevelopment (Tutu Phase I)
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Priority is given to families who previously lived at the former Estate Donoe site, then Tutu High Rise site; other eligible families considered after these priorities based on VIHA's residency preference and HUD guidelines; requires an HCVP pre-application.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
In-person, Phone
Additional Notes
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 30, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Preferences include victims of natural disaster, rent burden, witness protection program, substandard housing, employment, official referral, elderly, or disabled; applications are sorted by date, preferences, and unit size.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
May 1, 2026
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The waiting list for the Estate Donoe Redevelopment (Tutu Phase I) opened on May 1, 2026, and will initially be populated with families with a right to return to the affected project.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, offering eight vouchers; applications are included in the same pre-application as HCV and PBV.
Single Room Occupancy - SRO
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in St Thomas.
Other Programs
2 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.
When open, preferences include near-elderly and victims of domestic violence; the waiting list process may use a lottery system.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
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.
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 Virgin Islands Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Virgin Islands Housing Authority currently has 9 open waiting lists (Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV), Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), Single Room Occupancy (SRO)). 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 to apply.
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
EHV 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.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs 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 (PBV) 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.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) open
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.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (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.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
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.
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.
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.