Public Housing Waiting Lists

Are the Waiting Lists for Public housing Currently Accessible in the United State?

The AHO (Affordable Housing Online) database identifies 63 currently open waiting lists for Public Housing across various regions.

To maximize your chances of securing housing assistance, it’s advisable to submit applications to open waiting lists promptly. Keep in mind that these waiting lists can close unexpectedly and without much advance notice. Therefore, taking proactive steps to apply as soon as possible is crucia

Public Housing Waiting Lists Openings By State

Aside from planned openings, numerous waiting lists are active nationwide indefinitely. Explore the availability of waiting list openings in each state below.
Alabama California Colorado Connecticut
Delaware District Of Columbia Florida Georgia
Michigan Hawaii Idaho Montana
Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas
Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland

FAQ

In recent years, what has been the count of open Public Housing waiting lists in the United States?

Over the past three years, the tally stands at 3,654 Public Housing waiting lists that were accessible for at least one day across the nation.

Who are the beneficiaries of the Public Housing programs administered by housing authorities in the United States?

Households benefiting from Public Housing programs managed by housing authorities in the United States consist of:

  • 37% headed by seniors
  • 23% with at least one member having a disability
  • 34% with children
  • 29% where the primary source of household income is derived from earned wages
What defines a low-income apartment?

A low-income apartment typically falls under a government housing program at the federal, state, or local level, aimed at ensuring affordable rent for individuals requiring housing assistance.

Such apartments often offer rental assistance schemes where tenants contribute a portion of their income towards rent, or they may have fixed rent amounts set at levels deemed affordable for renters.

Who is eligible to submit an application for placement on a waiting list for low-income apartments?

In order to be eligible for placement on a waiting list for a low-income apartment, the primary applicant must be a minimum of 18 years old and either a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant. Alternatively, if the head of household is unable to submit an application, another individual can do so on their behalf.

There exist numerous criteria for qualifying for a low-income apartment, encompassing aspects such as income, housing history, and criminal background. However, meeting these requirements does not preclude an individual from applying for an available waiting list.

What is the level of fairness in the United States regarding placement on waiting lists?

Over the course of the past three years, approximately 5.7% of housing authorities across the United States opted to employ random lotteries as a method for placing applicants on their waiting lists.

For those positioned at the lower rungs of a waiting list, the wait time before receiving a voucher could stretch as long as two to three years. Utilizing a random lottery system for waiting list placement ensures that every applicant stands an equal chance of securing a higher spot on the list.

Contrarily, many housing authorities adhere to a chronological order based on the date and time of application submission. This approach could disadvantage applicants who apply later, resulting in prolonged waits for assistance. Such disparities become especially apparent when waiting lists are only open for a short duration of a few days or less.