Brief Information About Housing Authority in Athens
The Athens Housing Authority is situated at 700 5th Avenue, Building J Athens, AL 35611. The phone number is 256-232-5300. Their housing code is AL067.
The HA is responsible for managing the housing program for citizens in need. This includes the application step, the guidelines for eligibility, and any other resources. The HA’s mission is to provide subsidized rents for low-income families, provide access to various assistance programs for housing problems. You can reach out to the Athens Housing Authority for issues regarding the qualification process, the location of the proprieties that are under the office’s management, or any information regarding Athens Section 8 landlord’s details.
Existing Programs in Athens HA
The Athens Housing Authority provides excellent opportunities for people that are having problems with their housing situation. The table below shows data on HUD housing programs in Athens.
HUD Housing Programs in Athens
Athens | Limestone County | |
---|---|---|
Subsidized Units | 701 | 836 |
Occupied % | 89.0% | 89.0% |
People Per Unit | 2.0 | 2.0 |
People Total | 1,292 | 1,537 |
Average Family Expenditure Per Month | $256 | $260 |
Average HUD Expenditure Per Month | $422 | $425 |
Average Months on Wait List | 17 | 16 |
Public Housing Programs in Athens
The public housing program by Athens HA is built in such a way that the voucher covers up to 70% of the rent costs. To qualify for this program, the people need to have income that does not exceed the 50% of the median income. Below is the latest data for Public Housing Programs in Athens.
Athens | Limestone County | |
---|---|---|
Subsidized Units | 239 | 341 |
Occupied % | 97.0% | 98.0% |
People Per Unit | 2.0 | 2.0 |
People Total | 472 | 653 |
Average Family Expenditure Per Month | $230 | $239 |
Average HUD Expenditure Per Month | $407 | $416 |
Average Months on Wait List | 9 | 8 |
Section 8 Housing Programs in Athens
The Section 8 vouchers provided by the Athens HA tend to cover most of the expenses and are of great assistance to families that are struggling. Below is the latest data for Section 8 in Athens.
Athens | Limestone County | |
---|---|---|
Subsidized Units | 196 | 198 |
Occupied % | 96.0% | 96.0% |
People Per Unit | 2.1 | 2.1 |
People Total | 423 | 429 |
Average Family Expenditure Per Month | $217 | $218 |
Average HUD Expenditure Per Month | $481 | $481 |
Check if you qualify for HUD Public Housing Program: | Check if you qualify for Section 8 Housing Programs: |
Public Housing Program | Section 8 Program |
2024 Income Limits
According to the latest statistical data as of 2024, the median income is $40,000. You can find up-to-date data on income limits for Athens and other cities by clicking on the link:
Waiting List Statuses in Athens
Athens Housing Authority Section 8 Voucher Wait List
The Section 8 Voucher Programs waitlist is Closed. For current program waitlist status, contact Athens HA directly. Up-to-date contact information for Athens Housing Authority is listed in the “Listing Info”. |
Closed |
Athens Housing Authority Public Housing Wait List
The Public Housing Programs waitlist is Open. For current program waitlist status, contact Athens HA directly. Up-to-date contact information for Athens Housing Authority is listed in the “Listing Info”. |
Open |
How Do I Apply in Athens Housing Authority?
To apply for the Public Housing Program or the Section 8 voucher, you would need to reach out to the Athens Housing Authority first. From them, you will get the application form. You also prepare the necessary for all the family members: ID, employment, bank account info, bank account status. You can e-mail or drop in the application at the Athens Housing Authority office. They will contact you with any questions.
More information can be found on the official HUD website:
FAQ
What is public housing vs Section 8?
The idea of the HA is to provide housing assistance. There are differences among all the programs that we have mentioned so far in this material. Section 8 allows you to choose a preferred location. The landlord must also agree to accept the Section 8 housing vouchers.
Section 8 has 2 subdivisions: there is a tenant option and a project option. The tenant voucher follows the tenant. This means that the tenant can change housing and transfer the voucher with him if the new landlord accepts these vouchers as payment. The project housing is tied to a specific location and the tenant must reside in that location to get the rental assistance. In the public housing program, the proprieties are owned by the rental assistance agency.
There is also public housing, which is managed by the government. The idea is that there are housing options that are subsidized by the government. This program welcomes low-income families. The rent that the tenants pay depends on their annual income. So the difference between section 8 vs public housing is that section 8 lets you choose your residence and you get a subsidy on your rent and public housing allows you to live in a place that is owned by the government.
How do I qualify for Section 8 housing?
Section 8 is a great program to offer rental assistance. The voucher of Section 8 covers 30-40% of the rent cost, which also includes utilities. To qualify for section 8 vouchers, you need to prove to the housing authorities that minimally your income is 80% of the local median income. You also need to show American citizenship to all the people in your household. With immigrants, there are extra documents to submit, such as naturalization documents or I-94 stamps. You also need to show your past landlord history, hence if you have an eviction record, you will be disqualified.
How does the housing choice voucher program work?
The idea of Section 8 is that it allows the landlord to rent their proprieties to eligible tenants that get federal help. The tenant pays its rent partially with the voucher and partially with its money. Section 8 covers rent for up to one year. For more than 1 year, you apply again for the program.
How can I get housing fast?
The most popular program for public housing assistance is Section 8. There are many steps to apply for this type of assistance, but first and foremost you need to make sure that your landlord accepts payments in the form of vouchers provided by the housing authority. To apply for Section 8, you need proof that you have a low income, which comes in the form of job checks or tax returns, you need a state ID, you need to show your USA citizenship, you need to have a clean record, which means no felonies or drug use. The last part of the application is the special situations, which can either significantly put you at the bottom of the waiting list or can push you to the top. The idea is simple: the more drastic your situation, the earlier you will get the help.
This means that being homeless, having a disability, having an income that is on the 50% or below the local average income, living in a shelter, being a veteran, being part of the elderly, and exiting domestic abuse, will push you on top, as these are categories that need immediate assistance. You can also bypass the waiting list by reaching out directly to the housing authorities. You can also use the help of a social worker, who can assist you in navigating the application faster and can direct you to a new opportunity.
What is the housing authority?
A housing authority (HA) is made up of various agencies that offer housing assistance funded by HUD. Housing authorities are targeted for old age, low-income people, people who suffer from disabilities, or people that are escaping domestic abuse. Each HA covers different jurisdictions, as there are housing authorities for each local area. There are more than 3300 housing authorities in the USA. The housing authority has information regarding possible programs that you can apply, and about what types of help can you qualify to get. The most common type of help that people get from the public housing authorities includes vouchers, which cover specific percentages of their rent costs and their utilities.