Open Section 8 Waiting Lists in Alabama

Find applications for 11 open Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists in Alabama. There are 146 housing authorities with voucher programs serving about 600,115 renter households in Alabama. Among these, 5.5 percent of housing authorities run larger voucher programs serving thousands of renters. Over the last three years, there have been 29 waiting lists open in Alabama.

View Alabama Housing Authorities by the Cities They Serve

Alabama Housing Authorities

Abbeville Housing Authority

Abbeville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Albertville Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Albertville Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Albertville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Aliceville Housing Authority

Aliceville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Altoona Housing Authority

Altoona Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Andalusia Housing Authority

Andalusia Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Anniston Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Anniston, Alabama Closed

Anniston Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Arab Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Arab Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Arab Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Ashford Housing Authority

Ashford Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Atmore Housing Authority

Atmore Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Auburn Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Chambers and Lee County, Alabama Closed
Auburn Closed

Auburn Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Bay Minette Housing Authority

Bay Minette Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Bear Creek Housing Authority

Bear Creek Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Boaz Housing Authority

Boaz Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Boston Housing Authority

Boston Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Brundidge Housing Authority

Brundidge Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Calera Housing Authority

Calera Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Carbon Hill Housing Authority

Carbon Hill Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Childersburg Housing Authority

Childersburg Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Collinsville Housing Authority

Collinsville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Columbiana Housing Authority

Columbiana Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Cottonwood Housing Authority

Cottonwood Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Crossville Housing Authority

Crossville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Cullman Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Cullman, Alabama Open Until Further Notice

Cullman Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Decatur Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Decatur, Alabama Closed

Decatur Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Demopolis Housing Authority

Demopolis Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Dothan Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Coffee, Dale, Geneva, and Henry, and Houston County, Alabama Closed

Dothan Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Elba Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Elba Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Elba Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Enterprise Housing Authority

Enterprise Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Eufaula Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Eufaula Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Eufaula Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Evergreen Housing Authority

Evergreen Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Fairfield Housing Authority

Fairfield Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Florence Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Florence Housing Authority Closed

Florence Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Foley Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Foley, Alabama Closed

Foley Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Georgiana Housing Authority

Georgiana Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Gordo Housing Authority

Gordo Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Greater Gadsden Housing Authority

Greater Gadsden Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Greenville Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Greenville Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Greenville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Guin Housing Authority

Guin Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Guntersville Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Guntersville Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Guntersville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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HA Monroeville

HA Monroeville serves Alabama.

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HA Troy

HA Troy serves Alabama.

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Hackleburg Housing Authority

Hackleburg Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Haleyville Housing Authority

Haleyville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Hamilton Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Hamilton Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Hamilton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Hartford Housing Authority

Hartford Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of Alexander City

Housing Authority of Alexander City serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of Cordova

Housing Authority of Cordova serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of Greene County Al

Housing Authority of Greene County Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Birmingham District

Waiting List Status
Jefferson County, Alabama Closed

Housing Authority of the Birmingham District is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Housing Authority of the City of Athens Al

Housing Authority of the City of Athens Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Attalla

Housing Authority of the City of Attalla serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer

Housing Authority of the City of Bessemer serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Brantley

Housing Authority of the City of Brantley serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Brent

Housing Authority of the City of Brent serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Brewton

Housing Authority of the City of Brewton serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport

Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Centre Al

Housing Authority of the City of Centre Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Chickasaw

Housing Authority of the City of Chickasaw serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Clanton

Housing Authority of the City of Clanton serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Columbia

Housing Authority of the City of Columbia serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Dadeville

Housing Authority of the City of Dadeville serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Daleville

Housing Authority of the City of Daleville serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Eutaw

Housing Authority of the City of Eutaw serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Fayette

Housing Authority of the City of Fayette serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Florala

Housing Authority of the City of Florala serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Fort Payne

Housing Authority of the City of Fort Payne serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Goodwater

Housing Authority of the City of Goodwater serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Greensboro

Housing Authority of the City of Greensboro serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Hartselle

Housing Authority of the City of Hartselle serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Headland Al

Housing Authority of the City of Headland Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Heflin

Housing Authority of the City of Heflin serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Linden

Housing Authority of the City of Linden serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Livingston

Housing Authority of the City of Livingston serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Marion

Housing Authority of the City of Marion serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Moulton Al

Housing Authority of the City of Moulton Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Newton

Housing Authority of the City of Newton serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Prattville Al

Housing Authority of the City of Prattville Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Sulligent Al

Housing Authority of the City of Sulligent Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Tuscumbia

Housing Authority of the City of Tuscumbia serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the City of Valley

Housing Authority of the City of Valley serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Ashland

Housing Authority of the Town of Ashland serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Berry

Housing Authority of the Town of Berry serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Blountsville Al

Housing Authority of the Town of Blountsville Al serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Clayton

Housing Authority of the Town of Clayton serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Fort Deposit

Housing Authority of the Town of Fort Deposit serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Hanceville

Housing Authority of the Town of Hanceville serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Hobson City

Housing Authority of the Town of Hobson City serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Kennedy

Housing Authority of the Town of Kennedy serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Montevallo

Housing Authority of the Town of Montevallo serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of New Brockton

Housing Authority of the Town of New Brockton serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Parrish

Housing Authority of the Town of Parrish serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Slocomb

Housing Authority of the Town of Slocomb serves Alabama.

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Housing Authority of the Town of Valley Head Al

Housing Authority of the Town of Valley Head Al serves Alabama.

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Huntsville Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Huntsville, Alabama Closed

Huntsville Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Jacksonville Housing Authority

Jacksonville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Jasper Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Jasper, Alabama Closed

Jasper Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Jefferson County Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Jefferson County, Alabama Closed

Jefferson County Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Lafayette Housing Authority

Lafayette Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Lanett Housing Authority

Lanett Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Leeds Housing Authority

Leeds Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Lineville Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Lineville Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Lineville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Luverne Housing Authority

Luverne Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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MCHA Communities, LLC

Waiting List Status
Dale County, Alabama Unknown

MCHA Communities, LLC is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Millport Housing Authority

Millport Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Mobile Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Mobile County, Alabama Closed

Mobile Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Montgomery Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Autauga, Elmore and Montgomery County, Alabama Closed

Montgomery Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Northport Housing Authority

Northport Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Oneonta Housing Authority

Oneonta Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Opelika Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Opelika, Alabama Closed

Opelika Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Opp Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Opp Housing Authority Closed

Opp Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Ozark Housing Authority

Ozark Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Pell City Housing Authority

Pell City Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Phenix City Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Phenix City, Alabama Closed
Phenix City, Alabama Closed

Phenix City Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Phil Campbell Housing Authority

Phil Campbell Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Piedmont Housing Authority

Piedmont Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Prichard Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Prichard, Alabama Closed

Prichard Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Ragland Housing Authority

Ragland Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Rainsville Housing Authority

Rainsville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Red Bay Housing Authority

Red Bay Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Reform Housing Authority

Reform Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Regional HA of Lawrence Cullman and Morgan Counties

Regional HA of Lawrence Cullman and Morgan Counties serves Alabama.

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Roanoke Housing Authority

Roanoke Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Russellville Housing Authority

Russellville Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Samson Housing Authority

Samson Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Scottsboro Housing Authority

Scottsboro Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Selma Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Selma, Alabama Closed

Selma Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Sheffield Housing Authority

Sheffield Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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South Central Alabama Regional HA

South Central Alabama Regional HA serves Alabama.

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Stevenson Housing Authority

Stevenson Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Sumiton Housing Authority

Sumiton Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Sylacauga Housing Authority

Sylacauga Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Talladega Housing Authority

Talladega Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Tallassee Housing Authority

Tallassee Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Tarrant Housing Authority

Tarrant Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Top of Alabama Regional Housing Authority

Top of Alabama Regional Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Triana Housing Authority

Triana Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Tuscaloosa Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Tuscaloosa County, Alabama Closed

Tuscaloosa Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.

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Tuskegee Housing Authority

Tuskegee Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Union Springs Housing Authority

Union Springs Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Uniontown Housing Authority

Uniontown Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Vernon Housing Authority

Vernon Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Vincent Housing Authority

Vincent Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Walker County Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
Walker County Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Walker County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Washington County Housing Authority

Washington County Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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Winfield Housing Authority

Winfield Housing Authority serves Alabama.

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York Housing Authority

Waiting List Status
York Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

York Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Are Section 8 Waiting Lists Open in Alabama?

As of February 23, 2024, AHO is tracking 0 waiting lists open right now that are scheduled to close in the near future. Additionally, AHO is monitoring 11 waiting lists that are open until further notice.

AHO encourages you to first apply to the waiting lists that are scheduled to close, as most housing choice voucher programs do not have a set schedule for when they will reopen their waiting lists.

AHO still encourages you to apply to continuously open waiting lists as soon as possible. These waiting lists may close without sufficient notice.

In total, there are 11 waiting lists you can apply to right now and 0 waiting lists you can apply to soon.

How many HCV waiting lists were open in Alabama in the last few years?

During the last three years, there were 29 HCV waiting lists open for at least a day in Alabama.

How long were HCV waiting lists kept open in Alabama in the last few years?

Section 8 HCV waiting lists in Alabama were kept open an average of 637 days over the last three years.

Many waiting lists were kept open only a short time. In the last three years, 31% were open seven days or less and 10.3% were open for only one day (or a few hours) . This means that it is important for low-income renters to apply right away when they find an open waiting list.

How hard is it to get a voucher if I don't currently live in the area the housing authority serves?

Renters can apply to any open HCV waiting list in the country. The program is supposed to promote mobility so that renters can move to places with more opportunity.

Some housing authorities have a preference for local residents in their waiting list placement. If you live outside the area you can get on the waiting list, but you will likely wait a long time before a voucher is offered, if at all.

Over the last three years, 10.3% of waiting lists in Alabama that opened had a preference for local residents.

To what extent do housing authorities in Alabama increase access with online applications?

Online applications make it easier for low-income renters to apply for open waiting lists, especially when applying to different communities or when waiting lists are only kept open a short time.

Online applications were used for 48.3% of waiting list applications in in Alabama over the last three years.

How fair is waiting list placement in Alabama?

Random lotteries were used by 6.9% of housing authorities in Alabama to place applicants on their waiting lists over the last three years.

Applicants placed at the bottom of a waiting list may wait up to two or three years before being offered a voucher. Placing applicants on a waiting list using a random lottery gives everyone a fair chance to be near the top of the list.

Many housing authorities place applicants according to the date and time of their submission. Applicants who apply later will have a long wait for assistance, which is especially unfair in cases where waiting lists are kept open just few days or less.

How long do households spend on an HCV waiting list in Alabama before receiving a voucher?

Households spend an average of 43 months on a waiting list before receiving a voucher in Alabama.

Who is served by HCV programs offered through housing authorities in Alabama?

HCV households served by housing authorities in Alabama include:

  • 20% headed by seniors
  • 16% with a person with a disability
  • 55% with children
  • 34% where the majority of household income comes from wages earned

What is the income level of households served by HCV programs offered through housing authorities in Alabama?

According to HUD, in general, in order to receive a voucher, a household's income may not exceed 50% of the median income (50% AMI) for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, a housing authority must provide 75% of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income (30% AMI).

A 50% AMI household is considered very low-income (VLI) and a 30% AMI household is considered extremely low-income (ELI). ELI households are a subset of the VLI households served by a housing authority.

In the voucher programs of housing authorities in Alabama, VLI households make up 93% of voucher-holding households.

ELI households make up 70% of voucher-holding households.

Is there an application fee for Section 8 waiting lists?

It is against HUD policy for an agency to charge for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher application. If anyone is charging a fee for an application, they are either violating federal law, or a scammer with an empty promise. Do not pay for an application.

Why are there Section 8 waiting lists?

Like most low income housing programs, renters are placed on a waiting list to get a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher because there is a very high demand for vouchers, and a limited supply.

Waiting lists for a Section 8 voucher also tend to be longer than those for other housing programs because renters can live in an apartment or house of their choice. Most of the other rental housing programs require the household to live in a pre-determined apartment.

How does a Section 8 waiting list work?

Renters must first submit an application to a housing authority with an open Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting list. If a waiting list is not currently open, applications cannot be submitted.

After applying, the housing authority will create a list of qualified applicants that is sorted by random lottery, or the date and time applications were received. Many of these waiting lists have limited spots, so some applicants may not be selected for the waiting list, even if they are qualified.

If the household is selected for the waiting list, the housing authority will send confirmation. Be aware that some waiting lists have preferences (such as elderly or local applicants), and qualified households are given priority placement over others.

After getting placed on a waiting list, prepare to wait for some time. Because of the high demand of the HCV program, waiting lists may be many months or years long.

Once the household reaches the top of the waiting list, an eligibility interview will be held to make sure that everyone is qualified. If the household does not meet the qualifications, they can continue applying to other open waiting lists for a chance to get a voucher.

Who can apply for a Section 8 waiting list?

To apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, the head of the household must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant. If the head of household cannot submit an application, another person can submit one on their behalf.

There are many qualifications to get a Section 8 voucher, including income, housing, and criminal history. But those requirements do not prevent a person from applying for an open waiting list.

What is needed to apply for a Section 8 waiting list?

To apply for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, renters must usually provide their first and last name, date of birth, Social Security Number or Alien ID, and the total gross income of all household members (with exceptions).

Applications may ask for additional information, including housing history, criminal history, proof of income, and preference verification. Applicants may also be asked for demographic information, like gender, disability status, or race and ethnicity.

When can I apply for a Section 8 waiting list?

Applications for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher can only be submitted when the housing authority opens the program's waiting list.

For many areas, waiting lists are only open for a brief period. And depending on the area, when a waiting list closes, it may not reopen for many months or years. But there are also many housing authorities that keep their waiting lists open indefinitely, which means that there is no scheduled close date. These waiting lists can close at any time, but they sometimes stay open for months or years.

Can I apply for multiple Section 8 waiting lists?

Yes, renters can apply for multiple Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists. There is no limit to how many waiting lists a household may be on.

But, it's usually not allowed to submit multiple applications for the same waiting list. If more than one application is submitted for the same waiting list, the household risks getting disqualified.

What is a Section 8 waiting list lottery?

In many areas, the demand for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers is so great that the managing housing authority cannot add all applicants to its waiting list. To give all applicants an equal chance of being placed on the waiting list, many agencies draw names by random lottery from the entire pool of applicants.

Housing authorities will usually state if they are doing a lottery drawing on the public notice for the waiting list. If there is not a lottery, applicants will be placed on the waiting list by the date and time the application is received.

How long is a waiting list for Section 8 housing?

Once a household is placed on a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, they may wait anywhere between many months or years before being offered a rental assistance voucher.

There is no typical wait time for a voucher. The amount of time spent on a waiting list depends on various factors, including how many preferences are met, and the location of rental assistance. An applicant in one area of the country may wait less than a year, while someone in another area is on a waiting list for five years or more.

How can I get more information about a Section 8 waiting list?

The easiest way to get more information about many Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) waiting lists is to visit the housing authority's website. Most housing authorities with a website will have a dedicated Section 8 HCV page with details about the program.

However, not all housing authorities have a website. And some that do may provide a limited amount of information. If this is the case, contact the housing authority for help. The agency can tell you if a waiting list is open, how to apply, and other important application requirements.

Is there any way to get priority placement on a Section 8 waiting list?

Yes, many housing authorities use preferences to give a priority to applicants who are part of groups in the area that are in great need of assistance.

Common preference categories for Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists include seniors, persons with disabilities, veterans, homeless persons, and those who live and work locally. Applicants who qualify for preferences will have a shorter wait time than those who don't.

What is Section 8?

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program gives low income rental assistance to individuals and families who need help affording monthly rent. Households with a Section 8 voucher may choose to live in any home that meets the program requirements, including apartments and single-family homes. It is a federal housing program that is run by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Renters with a Section 8 voucher usually pay 30% of their income for rent. The rest is paid to the landlord by the managing housing authority.

When looking for housing options, be aware that there are other housing programs that use the name "Section 8," including the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) programs. However, the name "Section 8" on its own usually refers to the HCV program.

How do I apply for a Section 8 waiting list?

When a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is open, there can be a number of different ways to submit an application. In most cases, Section 8 applications are available online, in person, by mail, or a variety of these options.

Online applications are often submitted through a form on a website. Printable applications may be available on the internet, as well. If an application can be sent by mail, a request for one is usually done by phone, mail or email.

In rare situations, applications may also be submitted by fax, or directly by phone. These outdated methods have been phased out by many housing authorities, but there are still some applications that operate this way.

Where can I apply for a Section 8 waiting list?

Renters can apply to most open Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists in the country. You do not have to live in the area to apply to most waiting lists, but there are some with restrictions. If the waiting list is restricted, it means that the housing authority is targeting a specific demographic (such as homeless applicants), and documentation or a reference may be required to apply.

However, even if a waiting list is available to the general public, applicants who do not live in the area should check if there are preferences. Preferences give qualified applicants priority placement on the waiting list. And one of the most common preferences is for local residents. This means that non-local applicants may have a very long wait for a voucher, or may not get a voucher at all because of the local demand.