Open Low Income Housing Waiting List in Massachusetts
Find applications for 11 open low-income apartment waiting lists in Massachusetts. Get the information needed to apply for HUD rental housing that can’t be found anywhere else.
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Massachusetts Housing Authorities
American Training By Chelmsford Housing
American Training By Chelmsford Housing serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreAmherst Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Amherst Housing Authority | Unknown |
Amherst 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 MoreAttleboro Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| State-Aided | Open Until Further Notice |
Attleboro Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAuburn Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Auburn Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Auburn Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBarnstable Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Barnstable Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Barnstable Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBerkshire County Regional Housing Authority
Berkshire County Regional Housing Authority serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreBeverly Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Beverly Housing Authority | Closed |
Beverly 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 MoreBoston Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Boston Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Boston Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBourne Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Bourne Housing Authority | Unknown |
Bourne 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 MoreBrockton Area Multi Services Inc.
Brockton Area Multi Services Inc. serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreBrockton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Brockton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Brockton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBrookline Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Family, 2 and 3-Bedroom | Closed |
| Federal Family, 1-Bedroom | Closed |
| Village at Brookline Apartment, 1, 2, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| Beacon Park, 1 and 2-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| Federal, 1-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| 1500 Beacon St. and 100 Centre St. Apartments, Studio and 2-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| Village at Brookline-Kent St., 1 and 2-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| View all 7 Brookline Housing Authority Waiting Lists. | |
Brookline Housing Authority is accepting applications for 5 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsCambridge Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Cambridge Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
| Cambridge Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Cambridge Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationChelmsford Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Multiple Properties | Open Until Further Notice |
Chelmsford Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationChelsea Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Federal Family | Closed |
Chelsea 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 MoreChicopee Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Chicopee Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Chicopee Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationClinton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Clinton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Clinton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationConcord Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Concord Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Concord Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDanvers Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Danvers Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Danvers Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDedham Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Dedham Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Dedham Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDracut Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Dracut Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Dracut Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationExecutive Office of Housing and Livable Communities
Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreFall River Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Federal Mixed Population, 1 and 2-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
| Federal, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Fall River Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFalmouth Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Falmouth Housing Authority | Closed |
| Cape Cod Apartments Senior Project-Based | Open Until Further Notice |
| Disabled Individual Adult Living | Open Until Further Notice |
Falmouth Housing Authority is accepting applications for 2 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsFitchburg Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) | Closed |
Fitchburg 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 MoreFramingham Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Framingham Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Framingham Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFranklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreGloucester Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Gloucester Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Gloucester Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationGroveland Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Groveland Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Groveland Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHolyoke Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| HUD | Open Until Further Notice |
Holyoke Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHudson Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Hudson Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Hudson Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLexington Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Lexington Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lexington Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLowell Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 2, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Closed |
| HUD | Open Until Further Notice |
Lowell Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationLynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development | Closed |
Lynn Housing Authority and Neighborhood Development 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 MoreMalden Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Malden Housing Authority | Closed |
Malden 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 MoreMarlborough Community Development Authority
Marlborough Community Development Authority serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreMassachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development
Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreMassachusetts Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting List
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts Housing Choice Voucher | Open Until Further Notice |
Massachusetts Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Centralized Waiting List is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMaynard Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Maynard Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Maynard Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMedford Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Medford Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Medford Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMethuen Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| HUD | Unknown |
Methuen 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 MoreMiddlesex North Resources Center Inc.
Middlesex North Resources Center Inc. serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreNeedham Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Needham Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Needham Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNew Bedford Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| New Bedford Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
New Bedford Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNewburyport Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Newburyport Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Newburyport Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNewton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Nonantum Village | Open Until Further Notice |
| Nonantum Village, Congregate Living | Open Until Further Notice |
| Hamilton Grove Apartments, Multifamily Project-Based Rental Assistance | Open Until Further Notice |
Newton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNorth Andover Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| North Andover Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
North Andover Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNorth Attleborough Housing Authority
North Attleborough Housing Authority serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreNorthampton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Northampton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Northampton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNorwood Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Norwood Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Norwood Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationPembroke Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Pembroke Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Pembroke Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationPittsfield Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Christopher Arms, Dower Square, Jubilee Apartments, McGill Court, and Wilson Park Family | Open Until Further Notice |
| Columbia Arms, Francis Plaza, Providence Court, Rose Manor, and Wahconah Heights | Open Until Further Notice |
Pittsfield Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationPlymouth Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Plymouth Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Plymouth Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationQuincy Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Quincy Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
| Federal Family | Open Until Further Notice |
| Federal | Open Until Further Notice |
Quincy Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRevere Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Revere Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Revere Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRockland Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Rockland Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Rockland Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSalem Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Salem Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Salem Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSaugus Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Saugus Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Saugus Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationScituate Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Scituate Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Scituate Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationShrewsbury Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Shrewsbury Housing Authority | Closed |
Shrewsbury 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 MoreSomerville Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Somerville Housing Authority | Closed |
Somerville 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 MoreSpringfield Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Springfield Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Springfield Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSwansea Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Swansea Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Swansea Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationTaunton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Taunton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Taunton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationTewksbury Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Tewksbury Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Tewksbury Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationThe Bridge of Central Massachusetts
The Bridge of Central Massachusetts serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreThe Housing Authority of the City of Laurel
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| The Housing Authority of the City of Laurel | Open Until Further Notice |
The Housing Authority of the City of Laurel is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWakefield Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Wakefield Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Wakefield Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWaltham Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Waltham Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Waltham Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWatertown Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| E. Joyce Munger Apartments, Near Elderly | Closed |
| St. Joseph’s Hall | Closed |
| HUD | Open Until Further Notice |
Watertown Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationWayland Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Wayland Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Wayland Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWebster Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Webster Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Webster Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWest Springfield Housing Authority
West Springfield Housing Authority serves Massachusetts.
Learn MoreWeymouth Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Weymouth Housing Authority | Unknown |
Weymouth 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 MoreWinchendon Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Winchendon Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Winchendon Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWoburn Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Woburn Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Woburn Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWorcester Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Worcester Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Worcester Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAre Public Housing Waiting Lists Open in Massachusetts?
As of April 19, 2024, AHO is tracking 11 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 Massachusetts in the last few years?
During the last three years, there were 74 Public Housing waiting lists open for at least a day in Massachusetts.
How long were Public Housing waiting lists kept open in Massachusetts in the last few years?
Public Housing waiting lists in Massachusetts were kept open an average of 892 days over the last three years.
Many waiting lists were kept open only a short time. In the last three years, 1.4% were open seven days or less . 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 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, 50% of Public Housing waiting lists in Massachusetts that opened had a preference for local residents.
To what extent do housing authorities in Massachusetts 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 64.9% of waiting list applications in in Massachusetts over the last three years.
How fair is waiting list placement in Massachusetts?
Random lotteries were used by 4.1% of housing authorities in Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts before being offered a unit?
Households spend an average of 37 months on a waiting list before a unit becomes available for them in Massachusetts.
Who is served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Massachusetts?
Public Housing households served by housing authorities in Massachusetts include:
- 50% headed by seniors
- 31% with a person with a disability
- 24% with children
- 26% 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 Massachusetts?
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 Massachusetts, VLI households make up 93% of voucher-holding households.
ELI households make up 78% 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.
