Last Updated

19 hours ago

About James City County Office of Housing

The James City County Office of Housing (PHA Code VA041) is situated in Williamsburg, James City County, Virginia. All housing waitlists managed by this office are currently closed to new applications. The office is responsible for approximately 195 assisted housing units, encompassing 195 Section 8 housing choice vouchers.

Programs administered by the office include the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and the Mainstream program, both of which are presently closed. Other program types that may be available include Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), and Special Purpose Vouchers such as SRAP I/DD, though their current application status is not specified.

Prospective applicants should be aware of the income limits for this area (Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC HUD Metro FMR Area). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit is set at $53,250 per year. No applications are being accepted at this time.

Other Programs

6 programs

These 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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

Preference is given to current residents of James City County; applications are selected by random lottery.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal
Mainstream Voucher
Closed

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.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Pending

No current specific waiting list information found.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Public Housing
Pending

No active waitlist information currently available.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Pending

No current specific waiting list information found.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.
Special Purpose Voucher (SRAP I/DD)
Pending

The Housing Office added 10 SRAP (I/DD) vouchers in 2022, but no active waitlist information is currently available.

No active waitlist information currently available. This program is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when openings are detected.

Status History

Mainstream Closed Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official James City County Office of Housing portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 5320 Palmer Ln Ste 1A
City Williamsburg, VA 23188
PHA Code VA041
Section 8 Units 195

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at James City County Office of Housing

1

Check Current Status

All 2 waiting lists at James City County Office of Housing 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.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at James City County Office of Housing, 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 $53,250/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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official James City County Office of Housing 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.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at James City County Office of Housing, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. James City County Office of Housing manages approximately 195 assisted housing units (195 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Williamsburg. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at James City County Office of Housing

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at James City County Office of Housing 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 Williamsburg. This program serves approximately 195 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 James City County Office of Housing 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 closed

Project-Based Vouchers at James City County Office of Housing are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Williamsburg. 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 James City County Office of Housing 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 closed

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at James City County Office of Housing converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Williamsburg maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

Special Purpose Voucher (SRAP I/DD) closed

The Special Purpose Voucher (SRAP I/DD) program at James City County Office of Housing provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Williamsburg. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at James City County Office of Housing free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. James City County Office of Housing administers 6 programs (HCV, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD, Special Purpose Voucher (SRAP I/DD)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 5320 Palmer Ln Ste 1A, Williamsburg, VA.
How long is the wait at James City County Office of Housing?
Wait times at James City County Office of Housing depend on demand in Williamsburg, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 195 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 19, 2026 when the Mainstream list changed from "closed" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact James City County Office of Housing directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of James City County Office of Housing, including Williamsburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority (2 mi), Newport News Redevelopment & Housng Authority (27 mi), Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority (28 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Virginia and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Virginia.
How do I contact James City County Office of Housing?
You can reach James City County Office of Housing by phone at (757) 259-5349. Their office is located at 5320 Palmer Ln Ste 1A, Williamsburg, VA 23188. You can also email them at keith.denny@jamescitycountyva.gov. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for James City County Office of Housing?
Income limits for James City County Office of Housing are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $106,500). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $53,250. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

James City County Office of Housing Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the James City County Office of Housing are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $53,250. 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 $22,400 $37,300 $59,650
2 Persons $25,600 $42,600 $68,200
3 Persons $28,800 $47,950 $76,700
4 Persons $32,150 $53,250 $85,200
5 Persons $37,650 $57,550 $92,050
6 Persons $43,150 $61,800 $98,850
7 Persons $48,650 $66,050 $105,650
8 Persons $54,150 $70,300 $112,500
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $106,500 Effective April 1, 2025
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.