Open Low Income Housing Waiting List in Wisconsin
Find applications for 2 open low-income apartment waiting lists in Wisconsin. Get the information needed to apply for HUD rental housing that can’t be found anywhere else.
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Wisconsin Housing Authorities
Abbotsford Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Abbotsford Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Abbotsford Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAlgoma Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Algoma Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Algoma Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAmery Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Amery Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Amery Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAntigo Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Antigo Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Antigo Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAppleton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Appleton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Appleton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAshland County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Ashland County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Ashland County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAshland Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Ashland Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Ashland Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBaraboo Community Development Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Baraboo Community Development Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Baraboo Community Development Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBeloit Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Beloit Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Beloit Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBoscobel Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Boscobel Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Boscobel Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBrillion Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Brillion Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Brillion Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBruce Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Bruce Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Bruce Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBurnett County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 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
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council Inc serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreChilton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Chilton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Chilton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCity of Edgerton Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| City of Edgerton Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
City of Edgerton Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCity of Washburn and County of Bayfield Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| City of Washburn and County of Bayfield Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
City of Washburn and County of Bayfield Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationClintonville Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Clintonville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Clintonville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCommunity Development Authority of the City of Madison
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Truax Park Apartments | Open Now |
| Family | Open Now |
| Community Development Authority of the City of Madison | Open Now |
| Truax Park Apartments | Closed |
Community Development Authority of the City of Madison is accepting applications for 3 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsCommunity Development Authority of the City of West Allis
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Beloit Road Senior Apartments | Open Now |
Community Development Authority of the City of West Allis is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDane County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Valor on Washington, 2 and 3-Bedroom | Open Now |
| Dane County, Wisconsin | Closed |
| Dane County Housing Authority | Closed |
Dane County Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationDepere Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Depere Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Depere Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationEau Claire County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Fairchild Senior Living Apartments, 55+ | Open Now |
| Eau Claire County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Eau Claire County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationEau Claire Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Eau Claire Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Eau Claire Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFond Du Lac County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Fond Du Lac County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Fond Du Lac County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFond du Lac Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Fond du Lac Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Fond du Lac Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationGreen Bay Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Green Bay Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Green Bay Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationGreenwood Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Greenwood Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Greenwood Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of Cumberland
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Housing Authority of Cumberland | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of Cumberland is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of Trempealeau County
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 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
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Housing Authority of the City of Barron | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of Barron is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Veteran | Open Now |
| Family | Open Now |
| Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee | Open Now |
| Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee | Open Now |
| Family | Closed |
Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee is accepting applications for 4 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsHousing Authority of the City of New Richmond
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Housing Authority of the City of New Richmond | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of New Richmond is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing 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
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 2-Bedroom | Closed |
Housing Authority of the City of South 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 MoreHurley Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Hurley Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Hurley Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationJanesville Neighborhood and Community Services
Janesville Neighborhood and Community Services serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreJefferson Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Jefferson Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Jefferson Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationKaukauna Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Kaukauna Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Kaukauna Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLa Crosse County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| La Crosse County Housing Authority | Open Now |
La Crosse County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLa Crosse Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Family | Open Now |
| Hi-Rise | Open Now |
La Crosse Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLadysmith Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Ladysmith Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Ladysmith Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLake Mills Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Lake Mills Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lake Mills Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLincoln County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Lincoln County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lincoln County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLuck Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Luck Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Luck Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationManitowoc Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Manitowoc Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Manitowoc Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMarinette Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Marinette Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Marinette Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMarshfield Community Development Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Marshfield Community Development Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Marshfield Community Development Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMenomonie Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Family Units, 2, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Open Now |
| Open Now |
Menomonie Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMerrill Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Merrill Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Merrill Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMondovi Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Mondovi Housing Authority | Closed |
Mondovi 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 MoreMonroe Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Monroe Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Monroe Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNew London Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| New London Housing Authority | Open Now |
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 MoreOconto Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Oconto Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Oconto Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationOsceola Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Osceola Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Osceola Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationPark Falls Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Park Falls Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Park Falls 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 ApplicationPrairie du Chien Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Prairie du Chien Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Prairie du Chien Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRacine County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Mt. Pleasant Manor | Open Now |
| Levi Barnes Manor | Open Now |
| Ajax, Arabella, Gold Meal Lofts | Closed |
| Levi Barnes Manor | Closed |
Racine County Housing Authority is accepting applications for 2 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsReedsville Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Reedsville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Reedsville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRhinelander Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Rhinelander Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Rhinelander Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRice Lake Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Rice Lake Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Rice Lake Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRichland Center Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Richland Center Housing Authority | Open Now |
Richland Center Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationRiver Falls Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| River Falls Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
River Falls Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSauk County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Sauk County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Sauk County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationShawano City Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|
| Sheboygan Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Sheboygan Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSparta Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Sparta Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Sparta Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSpooner Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Spooner Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Spooner Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationStanley Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Stanley Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Stanley Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSuperior Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| 2, 3, 4 and 5-Bedroom | Open Now |
| 1-Bedroom | Open Now |
| Grand Central Plaza, New York Building and Washington Apartments, 55+ | Open Now |
| Superior, Wisconsin | Closed |
Superior Housing Authority is accepting applications for 3 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsTomah Public Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Tomah Public Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Tomah Public Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationViroqua Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Viroqua Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Viroqua Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWatertown Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Watertown Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Watertown Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWaukesha Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Gander Apartments Homeless and Disabled | Open Now |
| Scattered Sites | Open Now |
| Berkshire Kensington Near Elderly | Open Now |
| Breezewood Village | Open Now |
Waukesha Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWausau Community Development Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Scattered Sites | Open Now |
| Riverview Terrace, Affordable Assisted Living | Open Now |
Wausau Community Development Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWest Bend Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| West Bend Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
West Bend Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWestby Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Westby Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Westby Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWinnebago County Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Waite Rug Place 1 and 2-Bedroom Project-Based Voucher and | 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
Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority serves Wisconsin.
Learn MoreWisconsin Rapids Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Huntington House Apartments RAD | Open Now |
| Parkview Apartments, Huntington House Apartments, 10th Avenue Apartments and Scattered Site | Open Now |
Wisconsin Rapids Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWoodville Housing Authority
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|---|
| Woodville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Woodville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAre Public Housing Waiting Lists Open in Wisconsin?
As of July 4, 2025, 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 Wisconsin in the last few years?
During the last three years, there were 101 Public Housing waiting lists open for at least a day in Wisconsin.
How long were Public Housing waiting lists kept open in Wisconsin in the last few years?
Public Housing waiting lists in Wisconsin were kept open an average of 1,061 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, 9.9% of Public Housing 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 22.8% 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 0% 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 a Public Housing waiting list in Wisconsin before being offered a unit?
Households spend an average of 24 months on a waiting list before a unit becomes available for them in Wisconsin.
Who is served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Wisconsin?
Public Housing households served by housing authorities in Wisconsin include:
- 41% headed by seniors
- 30% with a person with a disability
- 27% with children
- 25% 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 Wisconsin?
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 Wisconsin, VLI households make up 90% of voucher-holding households.
ELI households make up 68% 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.