The Public Housing Program is similar to the Housing Choice Voucher Program in that it provides low-income housing assistance to qualifying families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Income guidelines are similar to those of Section 8 and, like Section 8, it is only available to United States citizens and specified non-citizens.

Unlike Section 8, HUD homes for rent listings are rental apartments and houses that are state-owned. This is a significant difference between programs, and it means that residents pay housing costs directly to their housing authority instead of the use of vouchers. Like Section 8, the amount a family must pay towards rental costs depends on their income and household size. Public housing may be apartments, houses, condos, or townhouses.

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Completing an HUD Application for Public Housing
complete application public housing
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To apply for Public Housing, you will need to submit an HUD application at your local housing authority. Depending on the location, you may be able to apply online, by mail, over the phone, or in person. When you apply, you will need to provide information that determines your eligibility for the program, including:

  • The names, sexes, and dates of births of everyone in the household and their relationship to the head of the household
  • Your family’s current address and contact telephone number
  • The veteran status of all members in your householdThe disability status of all members in your household
  • Documents that verify your household’s income

Should you need help with your application, you can ask the public housing authority for assistance.

Before you can receive low income housing through the Public Housing program, you will need to complete an interview with a housing authority representative. If your family is deemed eligible for the program, you will get help right away or be placed on a waiting list. Similarly to Section 8, waiting lists are common and notoriously long, but you may qualify for a preference list. Additionally, you can apply at multiple housing authorities to get aid more quickly. Should you wish to check the status of your Public Housing application, you may contact the housing authority that you applied with.

Once there is HUD homes for rent listings availability, you will be contacted by the housing authority. After your eligibility is verified again, you can begin to receive benefits from the Public Housing program. While receiving low income housing benefits from the Public Housing program, your household must report any changes and continue to meet eligibility requirements.

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