Public Housing
What is Public Housing?
Public housing authorities have homes for many groups of low-income people. Not every community has a
housing authority. However, larger cities do have housing authorities. Housing authorities provide several
different housing assistance programs for families, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities (including
HIV).
What kind of housing assistance do they provide?
Housing authorities provide two types of housing assistance:
Am I eligible for public housing?
Eligibility for these programs is based on your family’s household size and your family’s income. These limits
change every year. But if social security is your only source of income, then you are probably eligible for these
programs.
Some housing agencies have special housing available for the elderly and disabled. So if you are disabled
due to HIV or something else, let the housing authority know when you apply.
How do I apply for Public Housing?
Each community has their own housing authority. You need to call each authority in the community that you
want to live in to find out when and where they take applications. You should call several to find out what is
available and how long you would be on the waiting list. Fill out applications at as many authorities as you can,
even places that might not be your first choice. Sometimes applications are available by mail. Keep a list of
where you have filled out an application.
Each housing authority has a waiting list. Some waiting lists are ordered by the date they receive your
application. Some authorities will serve families before single persons. Sometimes they will hold a lottery and
pick names from the list.
What is Public Housing?
Public housing authorities have homes for many groups of low-income people. Not every community has a
housing authority. However, larger cities do have housing authorities. Housing authorities provide several
different housing assistance programs for families, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities (including
HIV).
What kind of housing assistance do they provide?
Housing authorities provide two types of housing assistance:
- They provide housing in buildings they own. They call these housing developments.
- They provide rental assistance subsidies. These subsidies are not attached to a particular apartment or
building. The way it works is you find an apartment in the community and the subsidy helps to pay the
rent and utilities. A lot of people call this kind of assistance Section 8, but not all rental assistance
subsidies are Section 8.
Am I eligible for public housing?
Eligibility for these programs is based on your family’s household size and your family’s income. These limits
change every year. But if social security is your only source of income, then you are probably eligible for these
programs.
Some housing agencies have special housing available for the elderly and disabled. So if you are disabled
due to HIV or something else, let the housing authority know when you apply.
How do I apply for Public Housing?
Each community has their own housing authority. You need to call each authority in the community that you
want to live in to find out when and where they take applications. You should call several to find out what is
available and how long you would be on the waiting list. Fill out applications at as many authorities as you can,
even places that might not be your first choice. Sometimes applications are available by mail. Keep a list of
where you have filled out an application.
Each housing authority has a waiting list. Some waiting lists are ordered by the date they receive your
application. Some authorities will serve families before single persons. Sometimes they will hold a lottery and
pick names from the list.