Public Housing

Public Housing units are owned and managed by local Public Housing Agencies. Approximately 1.0 million U.S. households live in public housing, in buildings ranging from single-family scattered-site homes to large urban complexes. Tenants pay roughly 30% of their income toward rent and utilities; the unit itself is subsidized by the federal government.

Who qualifies

Eligibility mirrors the Housing Choice Voucher program: very-low-income households (50% AMI or below), with priority to extremely-low-income households. Each PHA defines its own admissions policy, including any local preferences.

How to apply

Apply directly to the PHA that operates public housing in your area. Some PHAs combine the public housing application with the HCV application; others maintain separate waitlists. Apply to both.

How it differs from Section 8

The PHA owns and maintains the building, so there is no need to find a participating landlord and no annual rent negotiation. In exchange, you have less choice in location and unit type.