Open Low Income Housing Waiting List in Iowa

Find applications for 2 open low-income apartment waiting lists in Iowa. Get the information needed to apply for HUD rental housing that can’t be found anywhere else.

Iowa Housing Authorities

Afton Housing Commission

Waiting ListStatus
Afton Housing Commission Closed

Afton Housing Commission 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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Albia Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Albia Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Albia Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Area XV Multi-County Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Cedar Rapids Housing Services Division

Cedar Rapids Housing Services Division serves Iowa.

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Centerville Municipal Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Centerville Municipal Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Centerville Municipal Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Central Iowa Regional Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Chariton Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Chariton Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Chariton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority Open Until Further Notice

Charles City Housing and Redevelopment Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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City of Ames

City of Ames serves Iowa.

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City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development Department

Waiting ListStatus
Assisted Living Closed
Assisted Living, The Rose of Dubuque, 1-Bedroom Open Until Further Notice

City of Dubuque Housing and Community Development Department is accepting applications for a waiting list now.

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City of Marshalltown Rent Assistance Program

City of Marshalltown Rent Assistance Program serves Iowa.

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Clarinda Low Rent Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Clarinda Low Rent Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Clarinda Low Rent Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Clinton Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Clinton Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Clinton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Corning Housing Commission

Waiting ListStatus
Corning Housing Commission Open Until Further Notice

Corning Housing Commission is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Davenport Housing Commission

Waiting ListStatus
Davenport Housing Commission Closed

Davenport Housing Commission 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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Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Royal View Manor Closed
2, 3, 4 and 5-Bedroom Closed

Des Moines Municipal Housing Agency 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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Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Family Open Until Further Notice
Churchview Apartments and West Ridge Apartments, 1-Bedroom, USDA Open Until Further Notice

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Essex Low Rent Housing Agency

Essex Low Rent Housing Agency serves Iowa.

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Evansdale Municipal Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Evansdale Municipal Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Evansdale Municipal Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Fort Dodge Municipal Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Fort Dodge Municipal Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Fort Dodge Municipal Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Fort Madison Housing Authority

Fort Madison Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Grinnell Low Rent Housing Authority

Grinnell Low Rent Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Housing Authority of the City of Cedar Falls

Housing Authority of the City of Cedar Falls serves Iowa.

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Iowa City Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Iowa City Housing Authority Closed

Iowa 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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Iowa Northland Regional Housing Authority

Iowa Northland Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Keokuk Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Keokuk Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Keokuk Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Lenox Low Rent Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Lenox Low Rent Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Lenox Low Rent Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Lone Tree Housing Commission

Lone Tree Housing Commission serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Bancroft

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Bancroft Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Bancroft is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Burlington

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Burlington Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Burlington is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Decorah

Low Rent Housing Agency of Decorah serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Emmetsburg

Low Rent Housing Agency of Emmetsburg serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Farragut

Low Rent Housing Agency of Farragut serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Hamburg

Low Rent Housing Agency of Hamburg serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Knoxville is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Leon

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Leon Closed

Low Rent Housing Agency of Leon 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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Low Rent Housing Agency of Missouri Valley

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Missouri Valley Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Missouri Valley is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Mount Ayr

Low Rent Housing Agency of Mount Ayr serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Onawa

Low Rent Housing Agency of Onawa serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Red Oak

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Red Oak Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Red Oak is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Sidney

Low Rent Housing Agency of Sidney serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Spirit Lake

Low Rent Housing Agency of Spirit Lake serves Iowa.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Waverly

Waiting ListStatus
Low Rent Housing Agency of Waverly Open Until Further Notice

Low Rent Housing Agency of Waverly is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Low Rent Housing Agency of Winterset

Low Rent Housing Agency of Winterset serves Iowa.

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Malvern Low Rent Housing Agency

Malvern Low Rent Housing Agency serves Iowa.

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Mason City Housing Authority

Mason City Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Mid Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Mid Iowa Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs

Waiting ListStatus
Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs Closed

Municipal Housing Agency of Council Bluffs 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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Municipal Housing Agency of Manning

Municipal Housing Agency of Manning serves Iowa.

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Municipal Housing Agency of New Hampton

Municipal Housing Agency of New Hampton serves Iowa.

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Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Muscatine Municipal Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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New Homestead Low Rent Housing Agency of Sioux Center

Waiting ListStatus
New Homestead Low Rent Housing Agency of Sioux Center Open Until Further Notice

New Homestead Low Rent Housing Agency of Sioux Center is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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North Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Family Open Until Further Notice
North Iowa Regional Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

North Iowa Regional Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Northwest Iowa Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Oskaloosa Municipal Housing Agency

Oskaloosa Municipal Housing Agency serves Iowa.

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Ottumwa Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Ottumwa Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Ottumwa Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Region XII Regional Housing Authority

Region XII Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Rock Rapids Municipal Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Rock Rapids Municipal Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Rock Rapids Municipal Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Shenandoah Low Rent Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Shenandoah Low Rent Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Shenandoah Low Rent Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Sioux City Housing Authority

Sioux City Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Siouxland Regional Housing Authority

Siouxland Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Southeast Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Southeast Iowa Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Southern Iowa Regional Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Stanton Housing Commission

Stanton Housing Commission serves Iowa.

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Tabor Low Rent Housing Agency

Tabor Low Rent Housing Agency serves Iowa.

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Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority

Upper Explorerland Regional Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Villisca Low Rent Housing Agency

Waiting ListStatus
Villisca Low Rent Housing Agency Open Until Further Notice

Villisca Low Rent Housing Agency is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Warren County Housing Authority

Warren County Housing Authority serves Iowa.

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Waterloo Housing Authority

Waiting ListStatus
Waterloo Housing Authority Open Until Further Notice

Waterloo Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.

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Are Public Housing Waiting Lists Open in Iowa?

As of December 3, 2024, AHO is tracking 2 Public Housing waiting lists open right now.

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

How many Public Housing waiting lists were open in Iowa in the last few years?

During the last three years, there were 35 Public Housing waiting lists open for at least a day in Iowa.

How long were Public Housing waiting lists kept open in Iowa in the last few years?

Public Housing waiting lists in Iowa were kept open an average of 993 days over the last three years.

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

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 unit becomes available, if at all.

Over the last three years, 25.7% of Public Housing waiting lists in Iowa that opened had a preference for local residents.

To what extent do housing authorities in Iowa 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 17.1% of waiting list applications in in Iowa over the last three years.

How fair is waiting list placement in Iowa?

Random lotteries were used by 0% of housing authorities in Iowa 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 a Public Housing waiting list in Iowa before being offered a unit?

Households spend an average of 9 months on a waiting list before a unit becomes available for them in Iowa.

Who is served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Iowa?

Public Housing households served by housing authorities in Iowa include:

  • 49% headed by seniors
  • 30% with a person with a disability
  • 19% with children
  • 20% where the majority of household income comes from wages earned

What is the income level of households served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Iowa?

Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals, with "low-income" usually defined as income at or below 80% of the median income (80% AMI) for the county or metropolitan area in which the Public Housing units are located. However, most housing authority Public Housing programs serve households with much lower incomes.

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 Public Housing programs of housing authorities in Iowa, VLI households make up 88% of voucher-holding households.

ELI households make up 63% of voucher-holding households.

What is a low-income apartment?

A low-income apartment has a federal, state, or local government housing program that makes rent affordable for those who are in need of housing assistance.

These apartments may have rental assistance that allows tenants to pay a portion of their income for rent, or pay a fixed rent amount that is affordable to renters.

Are there different types of housing assistance for low-income apartments?

Yes, there are many different types of housing assistance programs for low-income apartments. Some housing programs, such as Public Housing, allow tenants to pay a portion of their income for rent. Others, like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, provide fixed rents that are affordable to many renters.

The most common housing programs for low-income apartments include:

  • Public Housing
  • Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
  • Section 8 Project-Based Voucher
  • RAD Project-Based Voucher
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
  • Section 202 Supportive Housing For The Elderly
  • Section 811 Supportive Housing For Persons With Disabilities
  • Section 515 Rural Rental Housing
  • Section 521 USDA Rental Assistance

Why is there a waiting list for low-income apartments?

There is a higher demand for low-income apartments than available units, so housing agencies have waiting lists. Building a waiting list allows the agency to quickly fill units that are no longer being occupied.

Who can apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?

To apply for a low-income apartment 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 low-income apartment, 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 low-income apartment waiting list?

To apply for a low-income apartment 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 low-income apartment?

Applications for a low-income apartment can only be submitted when the housing agency opens the waiting list.

Waiting lists in many areas are kept open indefinitely, but there are also apartments with waiting lists that are only open for certain periods. Depending on the area, if a waiting list is closed, it may not reopen for many months or years.

How do I apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?

When a low-income apartment waiting list is open, there can be a number of different ways to submit an application. In most cases, applications are available online, in person, by mail, or a variety of these options.

Contact the agency that manages the apartment to find out how to submit an application.

Where can I apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?

Renters can apply to most open low-income apartment 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. There are also some apartments with a housing program that is restricted for certain populations. If the apartment or waiting list is restricted, it means that the housing agency is targeting a specific demographic (such as elderly 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.

Can I apply for multiple low-income apartment waiting lists?

Yes, renters can apply for multiple low-income apartment 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.

Is there an application fee for low-income apartment waiting lists?

Unlike Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, there are many low-income apartment waiting lists that charge a fee to apply. This depends on type of housing assistance for the apartment.

It is against HUD policy for a housing authority to charge an application fee for Public Housing or Section 8 apartments (including Project Based rental Assistance and Project Based Vouchers). If anyone is charging a fee for an application to these apartment types, they are either violating federal law, or a scammer.

But there may be an application fee for apartments with other housing programs.

How long is a waiting list for a low-income apartment?

After being placed on a low-income apartment waiting list, the wait may be anywhere between weeks, months, or even years.

There is no typical wait time for an apartment, but waiting lists are usually shorter than those for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. The amount of time spent on a waiting list depends on many factors, including how many preferences are met, and the location of rental assistance. An applicant in one area of the country may wait for months, while someone in another area is awaiting for years.

Is there any way to get priority placement on a low-income apartment waiting list?

Yes, many housing agencies 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 low-income apartment waiting lists include seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who live and work locally. Applicants who qualify for preferences will have a shorter wait time than those who don't.

How can I get more information about a low-income apartment waiting list?

The easiest way to get more information about many low-income apartment waiting lists is to contact the property manager directly. Most managers can be reached by phone, email, or both methods of communication.

Many housing agencies have websites, but not all sites have in-depth details about their apartments. So, contacting the agency directly is usually the most effective way to find out if a waiting list is open, how to apply, and other important apartment requirements.

How does a waiting list for low-income apartments work?

Renters must first submit an application to a housing agency with an open waiting list for a low-income apartment. If a apartment's waiting list is not currently open, applications cannot be submitted.

After applying and getting qualified for the waiting list, the household will be added to the list. Waiting lists that are open indefinitely are almost always sorted by date and time the application is received. If the waiting list for a low-income apartment is only open for a specific period of time, it may be sorted by either random lottery, or date and time.

If the household is selected for the waiting list, the housing agency 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. Waiting lists for low-income apartments are usually shorter than those for the Section 8 HCV program, but applicants may still wait weeks, months, or years, depending on the area.

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 low-income apartment.

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