How to Find Your Local Housing Authority Office

Finding the right housing authority office is the first step to getting on a public housing or Section 8 waitlist, resolving problems with your voucher, or asking about emergency housing help. This guide walks through how to locate the correct office for your address, what to bring, and what typically happens after you contact them.

Quick summary: where to go and what to do

• Your main contact for public housing and vouchers is usually a local public housing authority (PHA), sometimes called a housing authority or housing commission.
• Some states also have a state housing finance or housing agency that runs separate Section 8 or special programs.
• To find the right office, search for your city or county name plus “housing authority” or “public housing agency” and look for .gov.
• Your next action today: write down your full address and call or email the housing authority listed for your city/county to ask if they cover your address and what programs they manage.
• After contact, you’re commonly told whether they serve your area, when (or if) waitlists are open, and how to apply or check status.
• Rules, names of agencies, and coverage areas vary by state and even by county, so always confirm directly with an official housing authority or HUD-related office.

1. Where housing authority services are actually handled

Most rental assistance and public housing programs are run locally, but they are connected to federal housing programs through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

You will typically see these types of official offices:

• Local Public Housing Authority (PHA) / Housing Authority
  Handles: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), public housing units, sometimes project-based vouchers, and waitlists in a specific city, town, or county.

• Regional / County Housing Authority or Housing Commission
  Handles: The same types of programs, but often for multiple smaller towns or rural areas that share one housing office.

• State Housing Agency or Housing Finance Agency
  Handles: Statewide or regional voucher programs, special needs housing, some Section 8 waitlists, or disaster-related rental assistance.

• HUD Field Office (federal)
  Does not usually take applications, but can tell you which PHAs serve your address and help with serious complaints about how a housing authority is operating.

To avoid scams, look for websites and email addresses that end in “.gov” (or sometimes “.us” for local government), and phone numbers listed on those official sites.

2. Key terms to know

Key terms to know:

• Public Housing Authority (PHA) — A local or regional government or quasi-government agency that runs HUD housing programs like vouchers and public housing.
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A rental assistance program where you rent from a private landlord and the PHA pays part of your rent directly to the landlord.
• Public Housing — Apartments or homes owned and managed by the housing authority itself, with income-based rent.
• Waiting List / Waitlist — A list the PHA keeps when there are more people who need help than available vouchers or units; you must usually be on this list before receiving assistance.

3. How to find the correct housing authority location for your address

Most areas are covered by one main PHA, but some addresses fall under a county PHA while others use a city PHA next door, so it matters exactly where you live.

1. Start with your full address.
Write down your street address, city, county, state, and ZIP code so you can quickly read it to any office you call.

2. Search for your local housing authority.
Use a search engine and type “[your city] housing authority” or “[your county] public housing agency Section 8”, then look for websites that clearly show a government connection (for example, city or county logo and a .gov address).

3. Confirm that they cover your exact location.
Call the number listed and say something like: “I live at [your full address]. Which housing authority serves my address, and do you manage Section 8 or public housing for this area?”

4. If your city doesn’t have one, look for a county or regional authority.
If the first office says they don’t cover you, ask them directly: “Which housing authority or agency should I contact for this address?” and write down the name and contact details they provide.

5. If you’re still not sure, use a HUD connection.
Search online for “HUD local office [your state]” and locate the HUD field office for your state, then call the number listed and ask which public housing authorities cover your town or county.

What to expect next: Once you have the correct PHA identified, staff will usually explain what programs they run (vouchers, public housing, both, or only one) and whether they are currently accepting applications or only taking interest forms for a closed waitlist.

4. What to prepare before you visit or contact the office

Even to just be added to a waitlist, housing authorities commonly ask for basic identifying and housing information. Having this ready makes it easier to apply when a list opens or when you get through to staff.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or other official ID) for the head of household, and sometimes for all adult members.
• Social Security cards or official numbers for everyone in the household, if available.
• Proof of income such as pay stubs, benefit award letters (SSI, SSDI, TANF, unemployment), pension statements, or child support orders.

Additional items that are often required when you move forward in the process (but are good to gather early) include:

• Birth certificates for children and adults.
• Current lease or a letter from your landlord if you are renting now.
• Eviction notices or documentation of unsafe housing if you are seeking emergency or priority status.

Your next concrete action today: Collect at least your photo ID and any income proof into one folder or envelope, and keep it in a place you can quickly access when the housing authority asks for documentation.

What to expect next: When you contact or visit the housing authority, they may not take full documents right away if the waitlist is closed, but they often tell you exactly what you’ll need ready once the list opens or once your name reaches the top.

5. Step-by-step: contacting the housing authority and what happens after

5.1 Step-by-step sequence

1. Identify the correct housing authority for your address.
   Use your city/county + “housing authority” search, confirm coverage by phone, or verify through your state HUD field office if needed.

2. Ask which programs they run and which lists are open.
   When you call or visit, say: “Can you tell me which programs you manage (Section 8, public housing, other) and whether any waitlists are currently open for new applications?”

3. Gather the commonly required documents.
   Based on what they tell you, collect your ID, Social Security information, and proof of income; add any extra items they specifically mention.

4. Submit your application or pre-application through their official channel.
   This may be in person at the housing authority office, by mail, or through an online portal linked from their official .gov site; follow their instructions exactly and keep copies of everything you submit.

5. Record your confirmation details.
   After applying, you typically receive a confirmation number, date-stamped receipt, or printout/email; write this down and store it with your documents along with the name of the office and the program you applied for.

6. Wait for status updates or respond to any follow-up requests.
   Most PHAs do not make same-day decisions; they usually place you on a waitlist and send you letters or emails when they need more documents or when your name comes near the top.

7. Regularly update your contact information.
   If you move or change phone numbers, contact the housing authority right away and ask how to update your mailing address and phone on your waitlist record.

What to expect next:
If you are placed on a waitlist, you commonly receive a letter or email confirming that you are on the list and sometimes an estimated time range or simply a notice that you may wait several months or longer; there is no guaranteed time frame. When your name nears the top, you are typically asked for full documentation, background checks, and detailed income verification before any assistance or unit is actually approved.

6. Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A common problem is that housing authority waitlist notices and appointment letters are sent by mail, and if you’ve moved or your mail is not reliable, you might miss your deadline and be removed from the list. To reduce this risk, call the housing authority every few months to check that they have your current address and phone number, keep a stable mailing address if possible (such as a trusted relative with permission), and ask if they offer email or online account alerts as a backup.

7. Legitimate help and how to avoid scams

Because housing assistance involves money and rent payments, scams are common, especially online.

To stay safe and still get real help, use these options:

• Use only official housing authority and HUD contacts.
  Always look for “.gov” sites, city/county logos, or phone numbers listed on government pages; if a site asks for high “processing fees” to get onto a waitlist, treat that as a warning sign.

• Avoid paying anyone to “guarantee” a voucher or faster approval.
  Legitimate housing authorities do not sell spots on a waitlist; at most, they may charge a small, clearly posted application or background check fee, and even that is often waived.

• Ask local legal aid or a HUD-approved housing counselor for guidance.
  Search for “legal aid [your county] housing” or “HUD-approved housing counselor [your state]” to find nonprofit help that can explain letters, help you fill out forms, or file complaints if a landlord or housing authority is not following the rules.

• Simple phone script for outside help:
  “I’m trying to find the correct housing authority for my address and understand my options for rental assistance. Can you help me figure out which office I should contact and what documents I should prepare?”

Once you know which housing authority serves your address, have your ID, Social Security information, and proof of income ready, then call or visit that office using the contact listed on their official government site to ask about current waitlists and application steps.