Disability Housing Options: How to Find and Apply for Accessible, Affordable Housing

Finding housing when you have a disability usually means working with public housing authorities, HUD-related programs, and sometimes state disability or Medicaid agencies. You’re usually looking at a mix of subsidized apartments, vouchers, and supportive housing where services come with the unit.

This guide focuses on how these options typically work in real life, where to go first, which documents matter most, what to expect after you apply, and one common snag that slows things down.

Quick summary of your main options

  • Public Housing Authority (PHA) rentals – Reduced-rent apartments owned/managed by your local housing authority.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) – Voucher to help pay rent in privately owned housing.
  • Non-elderly disabled (NED) vouchers / Mainstream vouchers – Special vouchers reserved for people with disabilities.
  • Project-based Section 8 / HUD-subsidized buildings – Specific buildings/units with permanent rent subsidies attached.
  • Supportive or “permanent supportive” housing – Housing plus case management/services, often through a disability or homelessness system.
  • State or local disability housing programs – Smaller programs run through state housing finance agencies or Medicaid waivers.

1. Where to go first for disability housing help

For government-related disability housing, the typical main entry points are your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) and, if you have or are applying for disability benefits, your state or county disability/Medicaid or human services agency.

Most people start with their local PHA, because that’s where you can:

  • Get on waiting lists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8).
  • Ask if they administer Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) or Mainstream vouchers for disabled adults.
  • Get referrals to HUD-subsidized or accessible properties in your area.

To find your local agency, search for your city or county name and “public housing authority” or “housing authority” and look for websites ending in .gov to avoid scams. If you can’t navigate the website, call the main phone number and say something like, “I have a disability and need to apply for subsidized or accessible housing. Can you tell me what waiting lists are open and how to apply?”

If you have a Severe mental health condition, developmental disability, or are on Medicaid, you can also contact your state or county behavioral health, developmental disability, or Medicaid case management office, because they sometimes have access to supportive housing or special preference lists.

Rules, waiting list procedures, and available programs vary by state and even by county, so the local office is usually the most accurate source for what’s actually open and available.

2. Understanding your main disability housing options

Key terms to know:

  • Public housing — Apartments owned or managed by a housing authority with rent based on your income.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A voucher that helps pay rent to a private landlord; you find the unit, and the housing authority pays part of the rent directly to the landlord.
  • Reasonable accommodation — A change to rules, policies, or procedures to give someone with a disability an equal chance to use a program (for example, help completing forms or extra time to respond).
  • Accessible unit — A unit physically designed for mobility, sensory, or other impairments (for example, roll-in shower, wider doorways, lower counters).

The most common disability housing options through government and nonprofit systems include:

  • Public Housing Units: You rent directly from the housing authority at a reduced rent (commonly around 30% of your adjusted income). Some units are designated accessible or reserved for elderly/disabled residents.

  • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8): You receive a voucher that covers part of the rent for a qualifying apartment; you’re responsible for finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher and pass inspection.

  • NED or Mainstream Vouchers: These are targeted vouchers for non-elderly adults with disabilities (often ages 18–61), usually administered through the housing authority. They function like Section 8 vouchers but are specifically for disabled applicants.

  • Project-Based Section 8 or HUD-Subsidized Buildings: The subsidy is attached to the building/unit, not you. You apply to each property’s management office instead of (or in addition to) the housing authority.

  • Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH): Long-term housing that includes services like case management, often coordinated through the local homelessness system or behavioral health agency. PSH is generally for people with both disability and a history of homelessness.

  • State or Local Disability-Specific Programs: Some states have rental assistance linked to Medicaid waivers, developmental disability services, or state housing finance agencies, especially for people leaving institutions or group homes.

3. What to prepare before you contact the housing authority

Before you reach out, gather basic documents and information you’ll be asked for repeatedly, both by housing authorities and landlords.

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Government-issued photo ID (state ID or driver’s license; for children, a birth certificate is often accepted).
  • Proof of disability, such as a Social Security Disability award letter, VA disability rating letter, or a doctor’s statement describing functional limitations.
  • Proof of income, like recent SSI/SSDI benefit letters, pay stubs, or a pension statement, plus any other benefits (SNAP, unemployment, etc.) listed as income.

You may also be asked for:

  • Social Security cards for all household members.
  • Proof of current housing situation, like a lease, shelter stay letter, or eviction notice if you’re at risk of homelessness.
  • Bank statements if they need to verify assets.

If you don’t have some documents, ask the agency directly, “What can I submit instead if I don’t have [ID/award letter/etc.]?” They often accept temporary documents, verification forms for your doctor to sign, or alternate IDs while you replace originals.

4. Step-by-step: How to start the disability housing process

1. Identify your local housing authority and disability agency

Search for “[your city/county] housing authority” and “[your state] disability services” or “[your state] Medicaid office”, focusing on sites that end in .gov.
Call the housing authority and, if applicable, your disability or Medicaid agency to ask what housing programs with disability preferences or vouchers are open and how to apply.

What to expect next: Staff will typically tell you whether public housing, Section 8 vouchers, or special disability vouchers are accepting applications and whether they maintain waiting lists with disability preferences.

2. Ask specifically about disability-related preferences and forms

When you reach someone, say clearly, “I have a disability and I’m asking about any housing programs or waiting list preferences for disabled applicants.”
Ask if they have a reasonable accommodation form or disability verification form you or your provider must complete.

What to expect next: They may mail or email you forms, or direct you to download them from the portal; sometimes you can request accommodations over the phone or in writing without a special form.

3. Gather and organize your core documents

Collect ID, Social Security numbers, proof of disability, and proof of income for everyone in the household who will live with you.
Place copies in a folder or scanned files so you can quickly attach or upload them when multiple programs ask for the same items.

What to expect next: When you submit applications, you’ll often be told if additional verification is needed; having your documents ready usually shortens back-and-forth.

4. Submit applications to all available relevant programs

Complete the housing authority’s public housing and Housing Choice Voucher applications if they’re open, and ask to be added to any disability-preference or NED/Mainstream voucher lists.
Also apply directly to HUD-subsidized or project-based properties that list accessible or disabled-preference units, and to any state disability housing programs staff mention.

What to expect next: You should receive confirmation numbers or letters indicating that your application was received and your place on the waiting list (or that you were not eligible for that specific program); approval for housing itself typically comes much later and is never guaranteed.

5. Request reasonable accommodations if the process is a barrier

If you struggle with online forms, paperwork, or deadlines due to your disability, formally request a reasonable accommodation in writing (email or letter is fine).
Examples include: help filling out forms, extra time to submit documents, allowing a representative or payee to manage paperwork, or communicating by mail instead of phone.

What to expect next: The housing authority usually reviews your request and either approves it, partially approves it, or asks for verification, often from a doctor or case manager; keep a copy of your request and any responses.

6. Respond promptly to follow-ups and keep your contact info updated

Housing programs often send letters or emails asking for more documents, interview appointments, or update forms to stay on the list.
If you move, immediately update your address, phone, and email with every program, or you risk being removed from the waiting list.

What to expect next: You may be scheduled for an intake interview, a unit viewing, or given a voucher briefing appointment where staff explain how to use the voucher; missing these appointments can cause denial or list removal.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A major snag for disability housing is that waiting list notices and appointment letters are often mailed once, and if you’ve moved or are in a shelter you may never receive them. To reduce this risk, list a reliable mailing address (like a trusted relative, PO box, or caseworker’s office, if allowed), and set reminders to call the housing authority every few months to confirm you are still active on their lists and that your contact information is correct.

5. What typically happens after you’re selected from a list

When your name reaches the top of a list, the housing authority or property manager usually:

  • Sends a notice scheduling an interview or asking you to complete an updated application.
  • Asks for fresh copies of your documents (ID, income, disability verification, household composition).
  • Runs background and sometimes credit checks, following their written screening policies.
  • For vouchers, schedules a briefing where they explain how much rent they will cover, time limits to find housing, and inspection rules.
  • For public housing or project-based units, may offer you one or more specific units and give you a deadline to accept or decline.

During this period, you can still request reasonable accommodations, such as needing an accessible unit, a ground-floor unit, or communication by phone instead of email due to a disability.
If you disagree with a denial or termination, most programs have a written appeal or informal hearing process, with instructions in the denial notice.

6. How to get legitimate help and avoid scams

For disability housing, legitimate help usually comes from:

  • Local Public Housing Authorities and city/county housing departments – for official applications, lists, and program rules.
  • State or county disability, mental health, or Medicaid agencies – for supportive housing referrals, case management, and help with paperwork.
  • Independent living centers, legal aid, or HUD-approved housing counseling agencies – for help understanding rights, writing accommodation requests, and responding to denials.

When calling, you can say: “I’m trying to apply for disability-related affordable housing and I need help understanding the forms and my options. Do you have staff who assist with that?”

Because housing and benefits involve money and personal information, watch for scams:

  • Never pay a private person or website a fee to be “guaranteed” housing or a voucher.
  • Use only official .gov sites, nonprofit organizations, or recognized housing agencies.
  • If someone pressures you to pay cash to “jump the line,” refuse and report it to the housing authority or local consumer protection office.

With your documents organized, contact information current, and applications submitted through your local housing authority and disability-related agencies, you’ll be positioned to move forward as soon as openings or vouchers become available.