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Opelika Housing Authority

Waiting Lists

Learn more about Opelika Housing Authority.

Open: Opelika Housing Authority Public Housing

Please Note: Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.

As of July 2017, the Opelika Housing Authority (OHA) is currently accepting Public Housing waiting list applications.

To apply: 

There are no preferences.

Selected applicants will be placed on the waiting list by the date and time the application is received.

For more information, visit the OHA website, or call the office at (334) 745-4171.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (334)745-4171.

Next Steps

Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.

Last Updated on 07/06/2017.

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Closed: Opelika, Alabama Section 8 HCV

The Opelika Housing Authority (OHA) last accepted Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list applications from May 22, 2023, until May 26, 2023. There is no notice when this waiting list will reopen.

To apply during the opening period, applicants were required to complete the online application.

Preferences have not been confirmed.

500 selected applicants were placed on the waiting list by random lottery, by order of preferences.

For more information, visit the OHA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the OHA notice on May 10, 2023.

Service Area

This waiting list is for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance in Opelika, Alabama.

Last Updated on 05/26/2023.

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About Opelika Housing Authority

1706 Toomer Street, Opelika, AL | Visit Website | (334) 745-4171

Opelika Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 515 low and moderate income households through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing programs..

Housing Authority Jurisdiction

Low-income housing managed by Opelika Housing Authority is located in Opelika, AL.

Households with a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher managed by this housing authority must rent within its jurisdiction.

About the Opelika Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Opelika Housing Authority manages 395 active Housing Choice Vouchers.

The following table summarizes types of vouchers managed and the monthly costs of each as of December 31st, 2021:

Standard Ported Out VASH
Vouchers 361 3 31
Monthly Cost Per Voucher $595 $259 $394
Monthly Cost $214,932 $778 $12,228
Waiting List and Tenancy

According to the 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households database, the housing authority's voucher program has an annual turnover of 9% having issued approximately 54 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 7 years0 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of 30 months on the waiting list1.

Income Characteristics

According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.6 persons and has a household income of $11,999 per year. 94% of households were very low income (VLI) and 73% were extremely low income (ELI). 37% of households had wages as a major source of income, 0% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 63% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.

Heads of Household Characteristics

3% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 72% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 12% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 13% were headed by a person 62 years old or older. In addition, 1% of households were headed by a person 85 years old or older.

65% of households included children, 1% of which had two adults in the household. 64% of households with children have a female head of household. 95% of all households were headed by a female.

95% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 94% of all heads of households being Black and 0% being Hispanic.

Of all households participating in the Opelika Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 13% include at least one person with a disability. 23% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 69% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.

Bedroom Size and Overhousing

7% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 34% with 2 bedrooms and 59% with 3 or more bedrooms. 32% of voucher recipients are considered overhoused, meaning they occupy a rental unit larger than their family size requires.

Rent, Assistance, and Utility Allowances

The average monthly tenant contribution to rent by Opelika Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $321 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $517. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $163.

1. This Picture of Subsidized Households data field is the average wait time of those who received a voucher in the preceding 12 months. Due to special voucher programs like VASH, recent waiting list purges, or waiting list preferences the average wait time can vary significantly from one year to the next and it is entirely possible many current applicants on the waiting list have been waiting for assistance for far longer.