What Is the Public Housing Program?

The Public Housing program provides affordable rental apartment communities and scattered homes and apartments (known as “scattered sites”) that give rental assistance to participants. The organizations that administer this program and own the properties are called Public Housing Agencies (commonly called housing authorities), which are funded and overseen by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). There are more than 3,300 housing authorities nationwide that offer Public Housing assistance for a specific jurisdiction, whether it is a city, county, or region of multiple areas. Called the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), program participants pay either 1) 10% of their monthly income (gross income minus exclusions), 2) 30% of their monthly adjusted income (gross income minus exclusions and deductions) or 3) a minimum rent of between $0 and $50 established by each housing authority independently. Participants are required to live in the specific community or scattered site they applied to, and must participate in community service.

Start the guide at Part 1: How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Public Housing Program? or choose a topic from the list below.

Public Housing Guide