Public Housing

About This Program

Public housing is government-owned rental housing managed by local Public Housing Authorities. Unlike Section 8, where a voucher follows you to a privately-owned unit, public housing means renting a unit that the housing authority itself owns and maintains. Rent is set at 30% of adjusted household income — so as your income changes, your rent changes accordingly. Public housing ranges from high-rise apartment complexes in dense cities to scattered-site single-family homes in smaller communities. The quality and condition of public housing varies significantly by housing authority — some are well-maintained modern developments, others are aging buildings with maintenance challenges. HUD provides capital funds for improvements, but backlogs persist in many cities. Eligibility is based on income (typically below 80% of area median income, with priority given to households below 30% AMI), citizenship or eligible immigration status, and a background check. Each housing authority sets its own screening criteria and preferences, which can include local residency preference, veteran preference, and working family preference. Waiting lists for public housing are often shorter than for Section 8 vouchers in many areas, making public housing worth applying for even if you are also on a Section 8 waitlist. You can be on both lists simultaneously. Contact your local Public Housing Authority directly — HUD's PHA contact directory at hud.gov lists every authority by state.

Eligibility Requirements

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