Arlington County Department of Human Services
Arlington, Virginia
Last Updated
23 hours ago
About Arlington County Department of Human Services
Arlington County Department of Human Services (HUD agency code VA028) is the public housing agency serving Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia. It administers 1,827 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 12 waiting lists at this agency, covering Other, FUP, HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, Supportive, VASH. As of Jul 28, 2026, 1 is open and 11 are closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $81,950 per year, and as Low Income at or below $106,800 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 13 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 4, 2026.
Other Programs Waitlist
Housing Grants
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications remain open through September 30, 2026, and prior residency requirements have been removed.
Opening Soon
4 upcomingSection 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Current Status
Opening date arrived — check if accepting applications
Application Window
Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026
Details
The waitlist will open for online pre-applications, with up to 500 households selected via a lottery process; assistance for pre-applications will be available at Arlington Public Library locations.
Other Programs Waitlist
Current Status
Opening date arrived — check if accepting applications
Application Window
Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026
Details
The waitlist will open for 500 spots, with applications considered equally in a lottery for rental assistance.
Other Programs Waitlist
Current Status
Opening date arrived — check if accepting applications
Application Window
Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026
Details
Eligible households can pre-apply online, with a randomized lottery selecting up to 500 households; all completed applications have an equal chance, and some households will be served sooner based on program preferences. Language and disability accommodations are available by phone or email.
Other Programs Waitlist
Current Status
Opening date arrived — check if accepting applications
Application Window
Oct 5, 2026 – Oct 19, 2026
Details
Beginning October 5, 2026, the program will transition to a waitlist-based system for new admissions, with pre-applications accepted through October 19, 2026. An automated lottery will select up to 500 households for placement on the waitlist. Arlington Public Library locations will offer assistance for waitlist pre-applications.
Other Programs
7 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.
All waiting lists for housing assistance programs, including FUP, are currently closed.
Mainstream Vouchers are deployed to applicants already on Arlington County's Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting lists.
The Project-Based Voucher program refers families from the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, which is currently closed.
The waiting list is not currently accepting applications and is not scheduled to open soon.
All waiting lists for housing assistance programs, including RAD, are currently closed.
This program is for residents with critical housing needs who have a disability and require services to obtain and maintain housing. Referrals are made through case managers in aging and disability, behavioral health, substance abuse, or intellectually disabled disability services.
All waiting lists for housing assistance programs, including VASH, are currently closed.
Status History
Deadline: Sep 30, 2026
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Arlington County Department of Human Services 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 Arlington County Department of Human Services
Check Current Status
Arlington County Department of Human Services currently has 1 open waiting list (Other Programs). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Arlington County Department of Human Services, 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 $81,950/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 Arlington County Department of Human Services portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Arlington County Department of Human Services, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Arlington County Department of Human Services manages approximately 1,827 assisted housing units (1,827 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Arlington. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Arlington County Department of Human Services
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Arlington County Department of Human Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements. The application window closes on September 30, 2026.
FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) closed
The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Arlington County Department of Human Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. 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 Arlington County Department of Human Services 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 Arlington. This program serves approximately 1,827 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 Arlington County Department of Human Services 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 (PBV) closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Arlington County Department of Human Services are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Arlington. 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 Arlington County Department of Human Services 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 Arlington County Department of Human Services converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Arlington maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Supportive Supportive & Transitional Housing closed
The Supportive & Transitional Housing program at Arlington County Department of Human Services provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Arlington. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) closed
The HUD-VASH program at Arlington County Department of Human Services combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Arlington. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Arlington County Department of Human Services free?
How long is the wait at Arlington County Department of Human Services?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Arlington County Department of Human Services?
What are the income limits for Arlington County Department of Human Services?
Arlington County Department of Human Services Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Arlington County Department of Human Services are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $81,950. 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 | $34,450 | $57,400 | $74,800 |
| 2 Persons | $39,350 | $65,600 | $85,450 |
| 3 Persons | $44,250 | $73,800 | $96,150 |
| 4 Persons | $49,150 | $81,950 | $106,800 |
| 5 Persons | $53,100 | $88,550 | $115,350 |
| 6 Persons | $57,050 | $95,100 | $123,900 |
| 7 Persons | $60,950 | $101,650 | $132,450 |
| 8 Persons | $64,900 | $108,200 | $141,000 |
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 Arlington County Department of Human Services — including across state lines.