The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waiting list is currently closed for general application. It is not expected that the list will be re-opened until 2010 or later. A waiting list is necessary because the application requests exceed the vouchers available. Clients on the Waiting List
If you are one of the 19,000 families on the waiting list, then your application has been assigned a lottery number. Applicants receive vouchers in lottery number order.
The Houston Housing Authority is serving about 125 to 150 families on the waiting list each month. The first step in processing an application is the criminal background check on every adult family member. If all family members do not pass the background check, then the Housing Authority proceeds to the next application on the waiting list.
Opening of Waiting List for Families Displaced by Hurricane Katrina or Rita
The Houston Housing Authority will open the wait list for its Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is commonly called "Section 8", from Monday, September 14, 2009 to Tuesday, September 14, 2010 for families displaced by Hurricane Katrina or Rita.
Any family displaced by Hurricane Katrina or Rita may apply, but families who have "recently left", or will leave, FEMA temporary housing or a Katrina cottage will be given the highest preference for admission. Families will be considered to have "recently left" a FEMA provided temporary housing unit or Katrina cottage if they vacated their unit on or after June 24, 2009.
Click her for more information on the Hurricane Katrina/Rita Wait List.
Future Lottery Numbers
If your lottery number is 10,169 or higher, when your number is processed, you will receive an information packet in the mail. Please continue to periodically check our website for information on what lottery numbers the Housing Authority are currently working on. Remember that the wait time for a qualified applicant is typically from 18-24 months, but can be longer and is dependent on the availability of vouchers.
Click here to request a Lottery Number Status Check Click here for more information on the Housing Choice Voucher Program Click here for Frequently Asked Questions
Resident Obligations:
It is the resident's obligation to provide current documentation for application processing. Failure to provide proper information may result in denial of program participation.
Address Change
If your address or contact information changes, it is imperative that you contact the Houston Housing Authority. Please visit our main office at 2640 Fountain View Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX 77057 between 9am and 5pm to fill out a change of address form. You can also go to the Client Forms section and click on Change of Personal Information to download the form.
Fraudulent Activity
If you have received an information packet from the Houston Housing Authority, it is punishable under state law for you to make copies or to share your packet information. The Housing Authority has a master list of who has obtained an official information packet. If it is found that you have shared packet information or have obtained the false identity of someone else it will be considered tampering with an official government document and you will be punished under the law. The agency reserves the right to prosecute under law all involved parties in any fraudulent activity. Click here to find out more about fraud policy.