What the Arlington Housing Authority does

The Arlington Housing Authority (AHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Arlington, Texas. It does not build or finance housing for you to buy — it operates apartment complexes where rent is set below market rate, and it administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) that lets you rent from a private landlord with a subsidy.

AHA serves people whose income falls below a certain threshold, which changes each year based on the area median income. The agency is independent from the city government but works within Texas housing law and federal regulations that govern public housing authorities.

If you are looking for a place to live in Arlington and your income is limited, AHA is one of two main routes: you can rent one of their own units, or you can get a voucher to use with a private landlord. Both have waiting lists, and both have income limits that vary by household size.

Key Takeaways

  • AHA manages public housing units directly and also runs the Housing Choice Voucher program, which are two separate paths to affordable rent.
  • Both programs have income limits based on your household size, and both have waiting lists that can be months or years long.
  • You must contact AHA directly to learn current income limits, waiting list status, and whether either program is accepting new applications.
  • AHA's office is located in Arlington, and you can reach them by phone or in person to ask about your options and get on a waiting list.
  • If you are experiencing a housing crisis, local nonprofits and the city's emergency rental information program may move faster than AHA's waiting lists.

Public housing units managed by AHA

AHA owns and operates apartment buildings where it sets the rent. These are called public housing units. The rent you pay is based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though AHA's lease will spell out the exact formula.

To live in an AHA unit, your household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income for Arlington. That threshold changes yearly. A family of four in 2024 would need to earn roughly $60,000 or less annually, but you should contact AHA directly to confirm the current limit for your household size, because these figures shift.

AHA maintains a waiting list for public housing. How long you wait depends on how many units become available and how many people are ahead of you. Wait times in Texas public housing authorities typically range from several months to several years, but AHA's current wait is specific to their inventory and demand.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

The Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8, is different from public housing. Instead of renting an AHA-owned unit, you receive a voucher that subsidizes your rent at a privately owned apartment or house. You find the place yourself, the landlord agrees to participate, and AHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest.

Like public housing, vouchers have income limits. You must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income to be added to the waiting list, though once you receive a voucher, your income can rise above that threshold and you keep the voucher. The voucher is portable — if you move to another city that participates in the program, you can take it with you.

AHA's voucher waiting list is also long. Some housing authorities in Texas have closed their voucher waiting lists because demand far exceeds available vouchers. You should contact AHA to find out whether they are currently accepting names for the voucher list.

How to contact AHA and get on a waiting list

The Arlington Housing Authority's main office is located at 1941 West Division Street, Arlington, TX 76010. You can call them during business hours to ask about current income limits, waiting list status, and how the process works for either public housing or a voucher.

To get on a waiting list, you will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency or intent to live in Arlington. AHA staff can tell you exactly what documents they need when you contact them.

You can explore in person at their office or ask whether they accept applications by mail or online. process methods vary, so confirm the current process when you call. Once you are on the list, AHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available.

Income limits and rent calculations

AHA uses income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These limits are based on the area median income for the Arlington metropolitan area and are adjusted annually. A single person, a family of two, a family of four, and larger households each have different limits.

For public housing, your rent is calculated as a percentage of your gross income — usually 30 percent, though some households pay a minimum rent if that percentage would be very low. If your income changes, you report it to AHA and your rent adjusts accordingly.

For vouchers, the calculation is more complex. AHA determines a payment standard for your area and bedroom size. You pay the difference between that standard and the actual rent, up to a cap. If the rent is very high, you may pay more than 30 percent of your income, or the landlord may not accept the voucher.

What to do if AHA's waiting list is closed or very long

If AHA is not accepting applications or the wait is years long, you have other options. The City of Arlington administers emergency rental information for people facing eviction or unable to pay rent. That program moves faster than AHA's waiting lists and does not have the same income limits.

Nonprofit organizations in the Arlington area also help people find affordable housing, negotiate with landlords, and understand their rights as tenants. The United Way's 211 service can connect you to local resources by phone or online.

If you are currently homeless or at imminent risk, contact the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition or ask AHA staff for referrals to emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs. These are separate from AHA's regular programs but may help you stabilize faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between public housing and a Housing Choice Voucher?

Public housing means you rent an apartment that AHA owns. A voucher means you find a private apartment and AHA pays part of the rent to the landlord. With public housing, AHA is your landlord. With a voucher, the private owner is your landlord and AHA is a third party paying a subsidy.

Can I be on both the public housing waiting list and the voucher waiting list at the same time?

Yes. You can explore for both programs simultaneously. If one becomes available first, you can accept it. If you later become available for the other, you can decide whether to switch. Contact AHA to confirm their policy on holding multiple positions.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I move into an AHA unit?

For public housing, your rent will increase as your income rises, but you can stay in the unit. For vouchers, you keep the voucher even if your income exceeds the original limit. In both cases, your housing is not taken away because you earn more money.

How long does it usually take to get approved once I explore?

That depends on AHA's current workload and how complete your process is. Once you are on the waiting list, approval happens when a unit or voucher opens up, not on a fixed timeline. Wait times vary widely. Contact AHA for an estimate based on current demand.

Can I use an AHA voucher to rent anywhere in Arlington?

You can rent any unit where the landlord agrees to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program and the rent does not exceed AHA's payment standard for that bedroom size. Not all landlords accept vouchers. AHA can provide a list of participating landlords or help you find one.