Housing Authority of City of Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington
Last Updated
1 hours ago
About Housing Authority of City of Tacoma
Housing Authority of City of Tacoma (HUD agency code WA005) is the public housing agency serving Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington. It administers 50 public housing units and 5,379 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 12 waiting lists at this agency, covering HCV, Mainstream, Other, PBV, Public Housing, Senior, SRO, RAD. As of Jul 1, 2026, 11 are open. Status is unconfirmed for 1 further list.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Tacoma, WA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $60,400 per year, and as Low Income at or below $96,650 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 2 status changes at this agency, most recently on Jul 29, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waitlist is continuously open. Applications are selected from the waitlist as funding is available. THA opens the wait list to allow more people to apply once every few years. It may take a year or two for a family to come to the top of the wait list. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when vouchers become available.
Mainstream Voucher Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
Mainstream Vouchers are for individuals at least 18 and under 62 years old with a disability. Contact your DSHS Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) case worker and/or Pierce County Human Services to see if you are eligible for a Mainstream voucher.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Nov 14, 2024
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for Housing Hilltop, a new affordable housing development, offering units at 60% Area Median Income with a community priority plan for current or former Hilltop residents.
Family Property
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Family Property Waitlist is for households that would like to apply for a unit at specific THA properties. The waitlist is continuously open. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when units become available. 1- or 2-person households that are not senior and/or disabled often have a longer wait if they want a THA unit, because most of our 1-bedroom apartments are set aside for senior/disabled households.
Housing Hilltop
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Currently accepting applications for new tenants, leasing at 60% Area Median Income. Community priority plan for current or former Hilltop residents.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
THA has agreed to attach some of its vouchers to units in specific apartment buildings owned by for-profit or non-profit private owners through the Project-Based Section 8 voucher program. The assisted families pay the same rent that they would in the regular voucher program.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
THA has two main waitlists: one for affordable properties (which includes Public Housing) and one for vouchers. Households can apply for one or both. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when units become available. Wait times for smaller households may be longer due to availability of units.
Senior Housing Waitlist
Senior/Disabled Housing
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
A separate waitlist exists for senior/disabled properties. A senior household is one whose head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62 years of age or older. A disabled household is one whose head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is a person with disabilities. These properties have 1-bedroom units. Households are randomly selected from the waitlist when units become available.
Senior/Disabled Properties
Status
open
Open Date
Nov 14, 2024
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
This waitlist is for households where the head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62 years of age or older, or a person with disabilities verified by SSDI or a Physician's Certificate. These properties typically offer 1-bedroom units.
Senior/Disabled Property
Status
open
Open Date
Nov 14, 2024
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Preference for households where the head, spouse, co-head, or sole member is 62 years or older, or has a disability, for 1-bedroom units. Random selection and quarterly check-ins are required.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Waitlist
Status
open
Additional Notes
A single room occupancy (more commonly SRO, sometimes called single resident occupancy) is a multiple tenant building that houses one or two people in individual rooms. Sometimes tenants in several units share a bathroom down the hall. Here are the communities in Tacoma that offer SRO vouchers: Jefferson Square Metropolitan Development Council (MDC).
Other Programs
1 programThese 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 Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of City of Tacoma currently has 11 open waiting lists (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream Voucher, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Senior Housing, 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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, 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 $60,400/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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of City of Tacoma manages approximately 5,429 assisted housing units (5,379 Section 8, 50 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Tacoma. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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 Tacoma. This program serves approximately 5,379 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma 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.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Tacoma. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher (PBV) open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Tacoma. 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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of City of Tacoma manages approximately 50 Public Housing units in Tacoma. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Senior Senior Housing open
The Senior Housing program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Tacoma. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
SRO Single Room Occupancy (SRO) open
The Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Tacoma. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Tacoma maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of City of Tacoma?
Housing Authority of City of Tacoma Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of City of Tacoma are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Tacoma, WA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $60,400. 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 | $25,400 | $42,300 | $67,700 |
| 2 Persons | $29,000 | $48,350 | $77,350 |
| 3 Persons | $32,650 | $54,400 | $87,000 |
| 4 Persons | $36,250 | $60,400 | $96,650 |
| 5 Persons | $39,150 | $65,250 | $104,400 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $70,100 | $112,150 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,900 | $119,850 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $79,750 | $127,600 |
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 Housing Authority of City of Tacoma — including across state lines.