Government Housing Options for Single Moms: How to Start, Apply, and Follow Through
If you’re a single mom looking for stable housing, the main government systems you’ll deal with are your local public housing authority (PHA) and, in some areas, your state or county human services/benefits agency. These are the offices that typically handle public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), and related rental help programs.
Quick overview: your main government housing paths
For single moms, these are the most common government-related housing options:
- Public housing – apartments or homes owned/managed by the housing authority with income-based rent.
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) – a voucher that helps you pay rent to a private landlord.
- Emergency or rapid rehousing programs – short-term help after homelessness, domestic violence, or a crisis.
- State or county rental assistance programs – time-limited help with back rent or move-in costs.
In most places, you start by contacting your local housing authority to get on waiting lists and by checking your state or county benefits portal for any emergency rental or housing programs.
Key terms to know:
- Public housing — government-owned apartments or houses with rent based on your income.
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — a voucher that pays part of your rent to a private landlord; you pay the rest.
- Waiting list — an official list you join when units or vouchers are not immediately available.
- Priority preference — factors (like homelessness, domestic violence, disability) that may move you up a waiting list.
Where to go first: the official housing agencies
Your first two official touchpoints will usually be:
- Local public housing authority (PHA) – handles public housing and Section 8 vouchers.
- State or county human services/benefits agency – may offer emergency rental help, homelessness prevention, or TANF-related housing supports.
To find the right office:
- Search for your city or county name plus “housing authority” and look for a .gov site.
- Search for your state’s official human services or social services portal (also usually a .gov) and look under “Housing,” “Emergency Assistance,” or “Cash Assistance/TANF.”
If you prefer phone over online, call the main number on the government site and say something like:
“I’m a single parent looking for rental or housing assistance. Can you tell me which office handles public housing and Section 8, and if there are any emergency housing programs open right now?”
Rules and options vary by state and city, so what is available in one place may not exist in another, and no office can guarantee help or timing.
What to prepare before you contact the housing authority
You don’t need everything perfect to ask questions, but having basic documents ready can save weeks of back-and-forth, especially when you’re a single mom managing kids and work.
Documents you’ll typically need:
- Proof of identity and household members – photo ID, birth certificates for your children, and Social Security cards (if available) for everyone applying.
- Proof of income – recent pay stubs, child support orders, benefit award letters (like SNAP, TANF, or unemployment), or a statement that you have no income.
- Proof of housing situation – current lease, eviction notice, utility bills showing your address, or shelter verification letter if you’re homeless or staying with friends/family.
When you call or visit, the housing authority may not take your full application right away if waiting lists are closed, but they can typically:
- Tell you which lists (public housing, Section 8, project-based vouchers) are open or closed.
- Explain if single parents, domestic violence survivors, or homeless families get any priority preference.
- Tell you how applications are accepted (online portal, paper forms at the office, or mail).
For emergency or rapid rehousing programs through your human services agency, you may also be asked for proof of crisis, such as an eviction notice, a shelter intake paper, or a police or court document for domestic violence.
Step-by-step: how to get on housing lists and apply for help
1. Identify your local housing authority and benefits agency
Action today:
Search for your local “housing authority” and your state’s human services portal and write down:
- Housing authority name, phone, and address.
- Human services agency name and any “Emergency Assistance” or “Housing” section.
If possible, call both offices and ask what housing programs are currently open to applications for families with children.
What to expect next:
You’ll usually be told whether:
- Public housing and/or Section 8 lists are open and how to apply.
- There is any emergency rental help still funded in your area.
- You need an in-person appointment, can apply online, or must wait for a public notice announcing an open list.
2. Gather core documents for you and your children
Before you fill out forms, pull together a simple folder (paper or digital photos) including:
- IDs and Social Security numbers – driver’s license or state ID, birth certificates, Social Security cards.
- Income proof – last 30–60 days of pay stubs, benefit award letters, child support orders, or a written statement if you have no income.
- Housing situation proof – lease, eviction papers, or a shelter letter.
If you are fleeing domestic violence, you do not usually have to give details of the abuse to get housing help, but a short letter from a shelter, social worker, or case manager is often enough to show your situation for priority.
What to expect next:
When you start an application (online or on paper), you’ll be asked to enter the information from these documents and may later be required to upload, mail, or show originals at an appointment.
3. Submit your housing application through the official channel
Housing authorities and benefits agencies typically only accept applications:
- Through their official online portal (linked on a .gov site).
- In person at the housing authority or human services office.
- By mail or drop-box if they give you a paper application.
Action:
Follow the method your local office specifies; for example:
- Create an account on the official housing portal for your city or county if required.
- Complete all required fields, including everyone who will live with you (each child must be listed).
- Upload or attach copies of key documents if the system allows, or note that you will bring them to an appointment.
- Write down or take a picture of your confirmation number or receipt.
What to expect next:
Typically, you will:
- Receive a confirmation screen, email, letter, or text showing you’re on a waiting list or that your application is “pending review.”
- Later get follow-up questions if something is missing or unclear.
- Eventually receive a decision letter, such as “placed on waiting list,” “approved for voucher when available,” or sometimes “denied” with a reason and appeal instructions.
No one can accurately predict how long you’ll wait, and being a single mom does not guarantee faster approval, though having children often qualifies you as a “family” household for family-focused housing.
4. Check for emergency or short-term programs alongside housing lists
Because waiting lists for public housing and vouchers are often long, single moms usually need to look for short-term help at the same time:
Common options to ask about at your human services or housing office:
- Homelessness prevention – help to pay back rent to stop an eviction.
- Rapid rehousing – short-term rent help if you’re already homeless or in a shelter.
- TANF or family cash assistance – may be used toward rent or utilities.
- Local family shelters or transitional housing – temporary places to stay while you wait for a more permanent option.
Action:
When you call or visit the human services office, say:
“I’m a single parent and I’ve applied for housing assistance. While I’m on the waiting list, what emergency rental help, rapid rehousing, or family shelter options are currently taking new applications?”
What to expect next:
You may be:
- Given a separate application for emergency help.
- Referred to a coordinated entry system for homeless services, where you complete one intake for several programs.
- Told about specific shelters or nonprofits that partner with the government to place families into temporary housing.
Real-world friction to watch for
A common snag is that housing authority waiting lists and online portals only open for short windows, sometimes just a few days, and close again when enough names are added. If you miss the window, you usually must wait for the next opening, with no guarantee of when that will be. To reduce this risk, ask the housing authority to put you on any notification list, check their official .gov site regularly, and tell caseworkers or school social workers to alert you if they hear a list is opening.
How to avoid scams and dead ends
Because housing help involves money and your identity, scams are common, especially for single moms under pressure.
To protect yourself:
- Only apply through .gov websites or in-person at government or recognized nonprofit offices.
- Be cautious of anyone asking for cash or “application fees” to get you a Section 8 voucher faster; housing authorities typically do not charge a fee to join their lists.
- Never give your Social Security number or ID photos over text or social media messages to unofficial accounts.
- If unsure, call the customer service number listed on the official government site and ask if a program or message is legitimate.
Legitimate places to ask for extra help while you wait
While you are on waiting lists or in the middle of applications, you can look for extra support:
- Local legal aid office – for help with evictions, unsafe housing, or landlord issues.
- School social worker or homeless liaison – schools often know about family shelter openings, motel voucher programs, and transportation help for kids.
- Domestic violence hotlines and shelters – if safety is an issue, these programs often have special access to housing or hotel vouchers funded through government grants.
- Community action agencies or family resource centers – they sometimes administer rental help, utility assistance, or case management with connections to housing programs.
These organizations cannot guarantee government benefits, but they can help you complete applications, gather documents, and understand letters from housing and human services offices.
Once you’ve identified your local housing authority and human services agency, gathered your key documents, and submitted at least one formal application or waiting list form, you’re in the system; your next step is simply to track responses, answer follow-up questions quickly, and stay in contact with a trusted caseworker or agency if your situation changes.
