How to Find Government Housing Locations Near You

Finding where to actually go for government housing help usually starts with figuring out which office handles low‑income housing in your area and how to check what buildings or properties they manage. This guide focuses on public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), and other subsidized apartments and how to locate them in real life.

Rules, names of programs, and eligibility details vary by state, county, and city, but the steps below will help you identify the right offices and locations almost anywhere in the U.S.

Quick summary: where to look for government housing locations

  • Main office to search for: your local public housing authority (PHA) or housing authority
  • Key tools: online “find affordable housing” or “property search” pages, and PHA office maps
  • Typical locations: public housing complexes, voucher-accepting private rentals, tax‑credit (LIHTC) properties
  • First action today:Search for your city or county name + “housing authority” and confirm it’s a .gov site
  • Next step after contact: you’re usually directed to property lists, waitlist information, and how to apply
  • Major snag: many locations have closed or very long waitlists for popular properties

Where government housing is actually managed

In most areas, government housing is handled by a local public housing authority (PHA) or housing authority office that works with the federal U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The PHA typically manages public housing buildings, runs Housing Choice Voucher programs, and coordinates with private landlords who accept subsidies.

In some states, there is both a state housing agency (covering statewide voucher or tax‑credit properties) and city or county PHAs that manage specific developments. When you’re trying to find actual locations, you will often use both: the local PHA for public housing and vouchers, and the state or regional housing agency for affordable private complexes.

Key terms to know:

  • Public housing — apartments or homes owned or managed by a housing authority, usually in specific buildings or developments.
  • Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — a rental subsidy you use with private landlords, not a building, though some complexes set aside units for voucher holders.
  • Project-based Section 8 — subsidy tied to specific buildings, meaning the assistance stays with the unit, not the tenant.
  • LIHTC (Low‑Income Housing Tax Credit) — private or nonprofit buildings with reduced rents because the owner gets a tax credit; often listed as “affordable housing,” not “public housing.”

How to identify government housing locations step-by-step

1. Find your local housing authority or HUD office

  1. Search for your city or county name + “housing authority” or “public housing authority.”

    • Look for websites ending in .gov or official nonprofit/state agency sites. Avoid sites asking for fees to “get you Section 8 fast.”

  2. Confirm you have the right agency.

    • On the site, look for words like “Public Housing,” “Housing Choice Vouchers,” “Section 8,” “Affordable Housing,” or “Resident Services.”
    • If you’re unsure, call the main phone number listed and say:
      “I’m trying to find out what government-subsidized housing locations are available in this area. Which office should I speak with, and where can I see a list of properties?”

  3. If you live in a rural area or small town, search for your state housing agency as well.

    • Use a search like: “[your state] housing finance agency” or “[your state] affordable housing agency.”
    • These agencies often maintain statewide property lists for LIHTC and other subsidized units.

What to expect next:
Typically, the housing authority or state agency points you to online property lists, PDF directories, or printed booklets that show addresses, property types, and sometimes rent ranges and income limits.

2. Use official tools to see actual property addresses

Once you’ve found the right office, look specifically for property search tools or lists of developments. These may be called:

  • “Public Housing Properties” or “Our Developments”
  • “Find Affordable Housing” or “Rental Housing Search”
  • “Section 8 / Voucher Landlords” or “Participating Properties”
  • “Tax Credit (LIHTC) Properties” or “Income-Restricted Apartments”

When you open these tools or lists, you can usually:

  • Filter by city, ZIP code, or county
  • See property names and full addresses
  • Check basic details: number of bedrooms, age restrictions (e.g., senior housing), accessibility notes, or income ranges

If an online tool is confusing or outdated, ask the housing authority:
“Do you have a current list of public housing and affordable housing properties in my area that I can pick up in person, have mailed, or receive by email?”

Documents you’ll typically need when visiting or asking about housing locations

You can often view property addresses without documents, but as soon as you move toward getting on a list or touring units, you are commonly asked for basic verification. Preparing these now can save time:

Documents you’ll typically need:

  • Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other official ID) for household adults.
  • Proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, benefit award letters, or a letter from an employer.
  • Proof of current housing situation, which might include a current lease, a written notice to vacate, or an eviction notice if you’re at risk of losing housing.

If you’re only requesting location information, you may not be required to show documents, but staff frequently ask at least for ID if you enter an office or request printed materials tied to your file.

What happens after you locate eligible housing

Finding addresses is only the first step; you then need to figure out how each location handles applications and waitlists.

1. Check application and waitlist status for each location

Once you know which properties seem suitable:

  1. Look up each property on the housing authority or state agency list.

    • Note which are labeled “Public Housing,” “Project-Based Section 8,” “LIHTC,” “Senior,” or “Family.”
    • Some listings show “waitlist open/closed” or “contact property directly.”

  2. Call the property or housing authority office listed.

    • Ask: “Is your waiting list currently open, and how do I apply for this specific property?”
    • Clarify whether you’re applying for a unit in that building or for a general voucher that can be used anywhere.

  3. If waitlists are open, ask about deadlines and process.

    • Note any application periods, lottery dates, or deadlines; mark these dates clearly because they are often strict.

What to expect next:
You may be instructed to complete an application online, pick up paper forms at the office, or attend an intake appointment. After submitting, most agencies send a confirmation, then place you on a waitlist and later send status or decision letters by mail or email. No agency can guarantee a move-in date.

2. Typical sequence from location search to potential move-in

  1. Identify PHAs and state housing agencies that cover your city or county.
  2. Obtain property lists or maps of public housing, project-based Section 8, and LIHTC apartments.
  3. Sort locations by what fits your situation (family vs. senior, number of bedrooms, distance to work/school, accessibility needs).
  4. Call or visit the listed offices to confirm which waitlists are open and how to apply for each property.
  5. Submit applications following each agency’s rules (online, mail, drop-off, or in-person).
  6. Expect a confirmation and then a waiting period; later, you may receive requests for updated documents, background checks, or unit offers.

Housing authorities and property managers usually do not speed you up just because you know the locations; placement depends on priority categories and how long you’ve been on the list.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A frequent issue is that property lists and maps can be out of date, showing locations that no longer accept new tenants or have waitlists closed for years. When you find a property address, always confirm by phone or with the housing authority that the list is current and that the property still participates in the program before you spend time visiting or gathering documents.

Common snags (and quick fixes)

Common snags (and quick fixes)

  • You only see private apartment listings when you search online.
    Use terms like “housing authority,” “public housing,” or “income-restricted apartments” plus your city, and look for .gov sites; avoid general rental search engines for program information.

  • You can’t tell which properties are truly subsidized.
    On official lists, look for labels like “Public Housing,” “Project-Based Section 8,” or “Tax Credit”; if unsure, call and ask directly, “Is this a subsidized or income-restricted property?”

  • Phone lines are busy or you can’t reach the right office.
    Call early in the day, use any general “intake” or “information” extension, and say clearly, “I need the list of subsidized housing locations and waiting list information.” You can also ask for the walk-in hours of the front desk if they allow in-person questions.

  • You don’t have all your documents yet.
    You can still ask for location lists and basic application instructions, then gather missing documents like proof of income; if a property requires something you don’t have (e.g., formal eviction notice), ask what alternate documents they will accept.

Staying safe and getting legitimate help

Because housing benefits involve money, rent, and personal information, be cautious:

  • Only give sensitive information to official housing authorities, HUD offices, or recognized nonprofit housing counselors.
  • Do not pay anyone who claims they can “move you up the list” or “get you guaranteed Section 8 fast.”
  • Look for .gov websites or well-known nonprofits; if something feels off, call the main number of your city or county government and ask to be transferred to the official housing authority.

For extra assistance understanding housing locations and options, you can:

  • Contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency and ask for help reading property lists, checking eligibility, and planning next steps.
  • Visit a local legal aid or tenants’ rights organization if you’re facing eviction and need to understand how government housing locations and waitlists fit into your timeline.

Your most practical next action today is to identify your local housing authority and state housing agency, obtain their official property lists, and confirm which subsidized locations currently accept applications. Once you have those addresses and statuses in hand, you can decide where to apply and what documents to prepare next.