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Denver Housing Authority

Waiting Lists

Learn more about Denver Housing Authority.

Closed: City and County of Denver, Colorado Section 8 HCV

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher lottery is currently closed. Applications were last accepted from September 17, 2020, until September 18, 2020. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

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

The lottery had the following preferences:

  • Colorado Health Network Program
    The Colorado Health Network (“CHN”), in conjunction with private developers, provides case management and special needs housing to persons disabled by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (“AIDS”). In order to meet the special needs of this group in the Denver community, DHA will provide a maximum of fifty (50) vouchers, at any given time, to participants under case management by CHN for this specific special need. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC reconfigurations due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes. The DHA local preference will be applied to those individuals who qualify pursuant to CHN’s definition of disabled specifically with HIV and/or AIDS, and who are participants in their case management.
  • Atlantis Program
    The Atlantis Corporation provides special needs housing to disabled persons. In order to meet the special needs of the disabled in the Denver community, DHA will provide a maximum of forty-five (45) vouchers to Atlantis for the disabled housing program at any given time. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC re-configurations due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes.
  • Mental Health Corporation of Denver & MHCD Street to Home
    Mental Health Corporation of Denver (MHCD) provides case management and special needs housing to persons disabled by chronic mental illness. In order to meet the special needs of this group in the Denver community, and to assist the City and County of Denver in resolution of the Goebel lawsuit, DHA will provide a maximum of one hundred (100) vouchers to participants in this special needs group and who participate in case management provided by MHCD. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC re-configurations due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes.
  • Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Families Program
    The Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (“CCH”) provides housing with health care and supportive services to multi-problem homeless families. DHA will provide a maximum of one hundred (100) vouchers to CCH for this homeless families housing program at any given time. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC re-configurations due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes.
  • Catholic Charities of Denver Service Enriched TBRA Program
    Please note: This preference is listed in the DHA 2020 Administrative Plan, but the description says, "The Catholic Charities of Denver-Services Enriched TBRA Program no longer has available vouchers."
  • Department of Human Services (CARES Center, CORE)
    The Denver Department of Human Services provides program coordination for the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness that includes housing, health care and supportive services to homeless families. DHA will provide sixty (60) vouchers to the Denver Department of Human Services for homeless families each year.
  • The Delores Place (The Delores Project)
    The Delores Project provides emergency shelter and transitional housing with supportive services to unaccompanied adult women who are homeless and have limited resources. DHA will provide ten (10) vouchers to The Delores Place at any given time. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC reconfiguration due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes
  • Money Follows The Person
    Money Follows the Person is a federal grant program that will allow Medicaid enrolled individuals to transition from institutions, such as nursing homes, into community based living. Their Medicare coverage “follows” the person from the institution into the community. DHA will provide thirty (30) vouchers to individuals who participate in case management provided through CRP. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC reconfiguration due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes.
  • Re-Entry Program (Community Re-Entry Program)
    The Re-entry Program (CRP) serves Denver residents exiting Denver County Jail after serving time on misdemeanor offenses. CRP provides case management services and referral support to help individuals stay out of jail. DHA will provide fifteen (15) vouchers to individuals who participate in case management provided by CRP. The number of vouchers may vary depending upon ACC reconfiguration due to changes in family composition requiring different bedroom sizes.

The DHA does not operate a traditional waiting list for its Section 8 program. Applicants will be given a random lottery number. Lottery selections to distribute vouchers will occur at unspecified dates throughout the year. Lottery winners will be posted on the DHA website. Once the lottery reopens each year, all lottery numbers reset. Applicants who receive a lottery number must re-apply during next year's opening.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Sources: This information was provided by the DHA Facebook page and its website, as of September 17, 2020.

Service Area

This waiting list is for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance in City and County of Denver, Colorado.

Last Updated on 03/17/2021.

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Closed: Limited Public Housing

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) last accepted Public Housing waiting list applications on a limited basis from April 22, 2023, until May 2, 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.

Please note: This waiting list is only available for households under the following categories: 

  • Family - (a) A family with children (the temporary, 90 days or less, absence of a child from the placement in foster care shall not be considered in determining family composition and family size; furthermore, proof of guardianship must be provided). (b) Two or more persons sharing residency, with at least one person who is eighteen (18) years of age and whose income and resources are available to meet the family’s needs and who are either related by blood, marriage or operation of law, or who evidenced a stable family relationship over a period of six (6) months.
  • Disabled Family -A family whose head, spouse, or sole member is a person with disabilities, or two or more persons with disabilities living together, or one or more persons with disabilities living with one or more Live-in-Aides.
  • Non-Elderly Disabled Persons - A person with a disability who is less than 62 years of age.
  • Elderly Family - A family whose head, spouse, or sole member is a person who is at least 62 years of age; or two or more persons who are at least 62 years of age living together; or one or more persons who are at least 62 years of age living with one or more Live-In Aides.
  • Elderly Persons - A person who is at least 62 years of age.

Preferences have not been confirmed.

It was not known how selected applicants were placed on the waiting list.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Sources: This information was verified by the DHA public notice on April 19, 2023.

Service Area

This waiting list is for Public Housing rental assistance in City and County of Denver, Colorado. Apartments offered through this waiting list are only located within this service area.

Last Updated on 05/03/2023.

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Closed: Subsidized Housing with Children Low-Income

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) Subsidized Housing with Children interest card application period is currently closed. It was last open for 10 days in May, 2019. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Last Updated on 06/18/2019.

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Closed: Subsidized Housing Elderly Senior

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) Subsidized Housing Elderly (62+) interest card application period is currently closed. It was last open for 10 days in May, 2019. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Last Updated on 06/18/2019.

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Closed: Subsidize Housing Disabled Disabled

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) Subsidized Housing Disabled interest card application period is currently closed. It was last open for 10 days in May, 2019. There is no notice of when this waiting list will reopen.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Last Updated on 06/18/2019.

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Closed: Subsidized Housing Near-Elderly Senior

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) Subsidized Housing Near-Elderly (50+) interest card application period is currently closed. It is not known when this waiting list was last open, or when it will reopen.

For more information, visit the DHA website.

Last Updated on 06/18/2019.

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About Denver Housing Authority

777 Grant Street, Denver, CO | Visit Website | (720) 932-3000

Denver Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 11,427 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 Denver Housing Authority is located in Denver County, CO.

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

About the Denver Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Denver Housing Authority manages 7,267 active Housing Choice Vouchers.

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

Standard Homeownership Tenant Protection Ported Out VASH Non-Elderly Disabled
Vouchers 6,097 20 123 611 260 60
Monthly Cost Per Voucher $1,154 $1,004 $1,013 $1,392 $844 $1,066
Monthly Cost $7,033,844 $20,087 $124,589 $850,742 $219,347 $63,986
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 8% having issued approximately 691 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 8 years and 8 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of 14 months on the waiting list1.

Income Characteristics

According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.5 persons and has a household income of $13,433 per year. 96% of households were very low income (VLI) and 81% were extremely low income (ELI). 32% of households had wages as a major source of income, 6% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 55% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.

Heads of Household Characteristics

2% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 53% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 23% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 22% were headed by a person 62 years old or older. In addition, 2% of households were headed by a person 85 years old or older.

49% of households included children, 6% of which had two adults in the household. 43% of households with children have a female head of household. 74% of all households were headed by a female.

78% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 46% of all heads of households being Black and 1% being Hispanic.

Of all households participating in the Denver Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 20% include at least one person with a disability. 31% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 73% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.

Bedroom Size and Overhousing

32% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 32% with 2 bedrooms and 36% with 3 or more bedrooms. 15% 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 Denver Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $344 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $959. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $137.

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.