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 offices that administer this program and own the properties are called Public 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? or choose a topic from the list below.

Public Housing Guide

  1. How Do I Know If I’m Eligible?
    1. Confirm that you meet the basic qualifications.
    2. Calculate your household’s income.
    3. Determine if there are any restrictions and/or preferences.
    4. Be aware of common factors that may disqualify an application.
  2. How Do I Find an Open Public Housing Waiting List?
    1. Visit Affordable Housing Online’s Open Public Housing Waiting Lists page.
    2. Search for your area of interest on Affordable Housing Online.
    3. Sign up to Affordable Housing Online’s email alerts.
    4. Contact the housing authority.
  3. How Do I Apply to a Public Housing Waiting List?
    1. Obtain the application.
    2. Complete the application.
    3. Submit the application.
  4. What Happens After Applying?
    1. Wait for the housing office to process applications.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status.
    3. Estimate your wait time.
    4. Stay in contact with the housing office.
    5. Attend final in-person eligibility interview.
    6. Move into offered unit.