Columbus Housing Authority

Waiting Lists

Learn more about Columbus Housing Authority.

Open: Columbus Housing Authority Section 8 HCV

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Note: Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.

The Columbus Nebraska Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list is open and accepting applications.

To apply, you must either go the the Columbus Housing Authority office at 2554 40th Avenue, Columbus, NE or call for an application to be mailed to you.  The phone number to call to request a Section 8 application is 402-564-1131.

Applications are accepted on paper only and must include a photo ID for all household members over the age of 18 and a copy of the Social Security card of the head of household.

You can find more details on the Columbus Nebraska Housing Authority Section 8 program on their website here:  http://www.columbushousingauthority.com/Section%208/default.html.

Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (402)564-1131.

Next Steps

Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.

Last Updated on 07/17/2017.

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Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.

The Columbus Housing Authority (CHA) is currently accepting Public Housing waiting list pre-applications for general occupancy.


Please note: This waiting list has preferences. This means that applicants who qualify for these preferences will receive assistance before applicants who do not. Because of these preferences, applicants who do not qualify may have a longer wait to receive assistance.



The CHA offers one Public Housing community with 84 units for general occupancy, ranging in size from 1 to 2 bedrooms. Please only apply if your family composition can fit into one of these units.


There are two ways to apply:

  1. Visit the CHA office to pick up a pre-application, located at 2554 40th Ave., Columbus, Nebraska 68601, from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm; and 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm CT.
  2. Request to have a pre-application mailed to you by calling (402) 564-1131 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm; and 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.

Once the application has been completed, it can be mailed or hand delivered to the address listed above.


Be sure to include these documents with the pre-application: Social Security Cards for all household members, and photo IDs for all adult household members.


The CHA does have a preference for elderly and disabled applicants.


Important note: Applicants who have been placed on the waiting list must inform the housing authority immediately if your application information changes (such as contact information, income, and household members). In the case that the office sends a notice that does not get returned, or if application information is out of date, your name may be terminated from the waiting list. Contact the housing authority to find out how to update application information.


For more information, visit the CHA website, or call the office at (402) 564-1131 from 8:00 am until 12:00 pm; and 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm.
Reasonable Accommodation

Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (402)564-1131.

Next Steps

Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.

Last Updated on 04/29/2016.

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About Columbus Housing Authority

2554 40th Avenue, Columbus, NE | Visit Website | (402) 564-1131

Columbus Housing Authority provides affordable housing for up to 200 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 Columbus Housing Authority is located in Columbus, NE.

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

About the Columbus Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Columbus Housing Authority manages 78 active Housing Choice Vouchers.

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

Standard
Vouchers 78
Monthly Cost Per Voucher $413
Monthly Cost $32,238
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 9 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 6 years and 5 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of 19 months on the waiting list1.

Income Characteristics

According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.1 persons and has a household income of $14,310 per year. 96% of households were very low income (VLI) and 61% were extremely low income (ELI). 27% of households had wages as a major source of income, 3% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 69% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.

Heads of Household Characteristics

1% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 53% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 29% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 16% 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.

41% of households included children, 5% of which had two adults in the household. 37% of households with children have a female head of household. 77% of all households were headed by a female.

11% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 4% of all heads of households being Black and -1% being Hispanic.

Of all households participating in the Columbus Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 32% include at least one person with a disability. 62% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 58% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.

Bedroom Size and Overhousing

17% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 52% with 2 bedrooms and 31% with 3 or more bedrooms. 35% 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 Columbus Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $400 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $440. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $177.

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.