Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Last Updated
Yesterday
About Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division
Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division, located in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin (PHA Code: WI218), manages approximately 2,147 assisted housing units. These units primarily consist of Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
The Housing Division offers several programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) programs. For applicants, it is important to note that all waiting lists for these programs are currently closed. The current Very Low Income limit for a family of four in the Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI MSA area is $55,350 per year.
Recent activity indicates that the Mainstream and RAD program waiting lists have transitioned from an unknown status to closed. Prospective applicants should monitor any official announcements regarding future openings, as no applications are being accepted at this time.
Other Programs
5 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 waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher program is currently closed. Preferences include terminated from HCV due to insufficient funding, homeless, veteran, residents of the MCHD's jurisdiction, working family, and disabled. Disqualifiers include lifetime sex offender registration, eviction from federally assisted housing in the last five years, or owing debt to a housing authority.
The Mainstream program is not currently accepting applications. The website indicates that the Mainstream waitlist is closed.
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program is not currently accepting applications. The website indicates that the PBV waitlist is closed.
The Public Housing program is not currently accepting applications. The website states that the Public Housing waitlist is closed.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program is not currently accepting applications. The website states that the RAD waitlist is closed.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division directly at (414) 289-6542 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Contact the housing authority directly for application information.
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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division
Check Current Status
All 5 waiting lists at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division, 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
Contact Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division directly at (414) 289-6542 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division manages approximately 2,147 assisted housing units (2,147 Section 8), 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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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 2,147 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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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 closed
Public Housing units at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Milwaukee maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division free?
How long is the wait at Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division?
What are the income limits for Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division?
Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division 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 Milwaukee County DHHS - Housing Division — including across state lines.