Open Section 8 Waiting Lists in Wisconsin
Find applications for 20 open Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting lists in Wisconsin. There are 127 housing authorities with voucher programs serving about 794,628 renter households in Wisconsin. Among these, 5.5 percent of housing authorities run larger voucher programs serving thousands of renters. Over the last three years, there have been 40 waiting lists open in Wisconsin.
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View Wisconsin Housing Authorities by the Cities They Serve
Wisconsin Housing Authorities
Amery Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Amery Housing Authority | Closed |
Amery 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.
Learn MoreAppleton Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Outagamie County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Appleton 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.
Learn MoreBaraboo Community Development Authority
Baraboo Community Development Authority serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreBarron County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Barron County Housing Authority | Closed |
Barron 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.
Learn MoreBrown County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Brown County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Brown County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBurnett County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Burnett County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Burnett County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCentral Wisconsin Community Action Council Inc
Waiting List | Status |
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Eau Claire County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Multi-County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council Inc 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.
Learn MoreChippewa County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Chippewa County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Chippewa County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCity of Mauston Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Juneau County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
City of Mauston Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCity of Washburn and County of Bayfield Housing Authority
City of Washburn and County of Bayfield Housing Authority serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreCommunity Development Authority of the City of Madison
Waiting List | Status |
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Madison, Wisconsin | Closed |
Community Development Authority of the City of Madison 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.
Learn MoreCommunity Development Authority of the City of West Allis
Waiting List | Status |
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West Allis, Wisconsin | Closed |
Community Development Authority of the City of West Allis 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.
Learn MoreDane County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Dane County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Dane 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.
Learn MoreDodge County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Dodge County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Dodge County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationEau Claire County Housing Authority
Eau Claire County Housing Authority serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreFond Du Lac County Housing Authority
Fond Du Lac County Housing Authority serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of Trempealeau County
Waiting List | Status |
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Housing Authority of Trempealeau County | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of Trempealeau County is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Barron
Housing Authority of the City of Barron serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
Waiting List | Status |
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Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Closed |
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee 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.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the City of New Richmond
Housing Authority of the City of New Richmond serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the City of Shell Lake
Housing Authority of the City of Shell Lake serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the City of South Milwaukee
Housing Authority of the City of South Milwaukee serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreIntegrated Community Solutions
Waiting List | Status |
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Brown County, Wisconsin BCHA | Open Until Further Notice |
Washington County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Brown County, Wisconsin WHEDA | Open Until Further Notice |
Manitowoc County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Calumet, Kewaunee, Ozaukee, and Sheboygan County; and the City of Hartford, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Integrated Community Solutions is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationJanesville Neighborhood and Community Services
Waiting List | Status |
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Janesville, Wisconsin | Closed |
Janesville Neighborhood and Community Services 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.
Learn MoreKenosha Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Kenosha, Wisconsin | Closed |
Kenosha 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.
Learn MoreLa Crosse Housing Authority
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La Crosse, Wisconsin | Closed |
La Crosse 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.
Learn MoreLafayette County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Lafayette County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Lafayette County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMarshfield Community Development Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Marshfield Community Development Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Marshfield Community Development Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMilwaukee County Housing Division
Waiting List | Status |
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Milwaukee County Housing Division | Closed |
Milwaukee County Housing Division 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.
Learn MoreNew London Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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New London Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
New London Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNorth Central Community Action Program
North Central Community Action Program serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreRacine County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Racine County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Racine 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.
Learn MoreRhinelander Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Rhinelander Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Rhinelander Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRichland County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Richland County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Richland County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRiver Falls Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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River Falls Housing Authority | Closed |
River Falls 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.
Learn MoreSauk County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Sauk County Housing Authority | Closed |
Sauk 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.
Learn MoreShawano City Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Shawano City Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Shawano City Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSheboygan Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Sheboygan Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Sheboygan Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWaukesha Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Waukesha County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Waukesha Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWausau Community Development Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Wausau, Wisconsin | Closed |
Wausau Community Development 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.
Learn MoreWinnebago County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Winnebago County, Wisconsin | Closed |
Winnebago 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.
Learn MoreWisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Multi-County, Wisconsin | Open Until Further Notice |
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWisconsin Rapids Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
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Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin | Closed |
Wisconsin Rapids 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.
Learn MoreAre Section 8 Waiting Lists Open in Wisconsin?
As of September 18, 2024, AHO is tracking 0 waiting lists open right now that are scheduled to close in the near future. Additionally, AHO is monitoring 20 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 20 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 Wisconsin in the last few years?
During the last three years, there were 40 HCV waiting lists open for at least a day in Wisconsin.
How long were HCV waiting lists kept open in Wisconsin in the last few years?
Section 8 HCV waiting lists in Wisconsin were kept open an average of 752 days over the last three years.
Many waiting lists were kept open only a short time. In the last three years, 10% were open seven days or less and 5% 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, 27.5% of waiting lists in Wisconsin that opened had a preference for local residents.
To what extent do housing authorities in Wisconsin 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 35% of waiting list applications in in Wisconsin over the last three years.
How fair is waiting list placement in Wisconsin?
Random lotteries were used by 20% of housing authorities in Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin before receiving a voucher?
Households spend an average of 18 months on a waiting list before receiving a voucher in Wisconsin.
Who is served by HCV programs offered through housing authorities in Wisconsin?
HCV households served by housing authorities in Wisconsin include:
- 34% headed by seniors
- 32% with a person with a disability
- 34% with children
- 22% 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin, VLI households make up 96% of voucher-holding households.
ELI households make up 76% 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.