Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Last Updated
21 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HUD agency code WI002) is the public housing agency serving Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin. It administers 2,322 public housing units and 7,681 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 6 waiting lists at this agency, covering Affordable, Other, PBV, Public Housing, HCV, VASH. As of Jul 16, 2026, 4 are open and 1 is closed. Status is unconfirmed for 1 further list.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $55,350 per year, and as Low Income at or below $88,550 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 3 status changes at this agency, most recently on Jul 10, 2026.
Affordable Housing Waitlist
Affordable Market-Rate Housing
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
HACM is continually accepting new applications for Affordable Market-Rate Housing apartments at Berryland, Northlawn and Southlawn.
Other Programs Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
Applications are continually accepted for unsubsidized apartments at Berryland, Northlawn, and Southlawn, requiring a minimum household income.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waiting lists are open and remain open until further notice for specific housing developments. Applicants aged 18 or older who meet income qualifications can apply; preferences may be given for certain criteria. Application requires first/last name, date of birth, mailing address, Social Security Number, phone number, and email address for all household members.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Mar 5, 2025
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The waiting list is open and remains open until further notice; applicants typically pay 30% of their income for rent. Application requires first/last name, date of birth, mailing address, Social Security Number, phone number, and email address for all household members.
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.
The HCV waiting list closed after a lottery selected 5,000 applicants; families pay approximately 30% of their income for rent, and income limits apply.
HACM partners with the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs office to offer VASH vouchers; veterans in need should contact the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs office or Hope House.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee 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 the City of Milwaukee
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee currently has 4 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Other Programs, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing). 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 the City of Milwaukee, 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 $55,350/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 the City of Milwaukee portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee manages approximately 10,003 assisted housing units (7,681 Section 8, 2,322 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Milwaukee. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Affordable Affordable Housing open
The Affordable Housing program at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Milwaukee. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Other Other Programs open
The Other Programs program at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Milwaukee. 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 the City of Milwaukee are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Milwaukee. 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 the City of Milwaukee are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee manages approximately 2,322 Public Housing units in Milwaukee. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee. This program serves approximately 7,681 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) closed
The HUD-VASH program at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Milwaukee. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee?
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $55,350. 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 | $23,250 | $38,750 | $62,000 |
| 2 Persons | $26,600 | $44,300 | $70,850 |
| 3 Persons | $29,900 | $49,850 | $79,700 |
| 4 Persons | $33,200 | $55,350 | $88,550 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $59,800 | $95,650 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $64,250 | $102,750 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $68,650 | $109,850 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $73,100 | $116,900 |
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 the City of Milwaukee — including across state lines.