What the Marietta Housing Authority does

The Marietta Housing Authority (MHA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Marietta, Georgia. It operates public housing units and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) for Cobb County residents. The Authority does not build new housing itself — it manages existing properties and distributes vouchers that help people pay rent at privately owned apartments and houses.

The MHA serves as the local administrator for federal housing programs. This means it receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), sets its own waiting lists, and makes decisions about who lives in its properties and who receives vouchers. If you are looking for affordable housing in Marietta, the MHA is where you start.

Key Takeaways

  • The Marietta Housing Authority manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers for people in Marietta and surrounding Cobb County areas.
  • Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists that can be years long; you must contact MHA directly to learn current wait times.
  • Income limits explore to both programs, and they vary by household size — MHA staff can tell you whether your income qualifies.
  • You will need proof of income, identification, and a Social Security number for each household member to explore.
  • The MHA office is located in Marietta, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current openings and process status.

Public housing units managed by MHA

The Marietta Housing Authority owns and operates apartment buildings and townhomes throughout Marietta. These are not subsidized private rentals — MHA owns the buildings outright. Rent is set based on your income, typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though the exact amount depends on the property and your household circumstances.

Public housing units are older than many private apartments, but they are maintained by MHA staff. Utilities are usually included in the rent, which can make the total cost lower than it appears. You must meet income limits to live in public housing. These limits change yearly and depend on household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. MHA can tell you the current limits when you contact them.

Public housing has a waiting list. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. Some waiting lists are several years long. You can contact MHA to find out the current wait time for the specific property type you are interested in.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 program gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at a privately owned apartment or house. You find the rental yourself — any landlord who accepts Section 8 — and the voucher pays the difference between what you can afford and the market rent. You pay roughly 30 percent of your income toward rent; the voucher covers the rest, up to a limit set by HUD.

Section 8 vouchers are portable within the Cobb County area, meaning you can move to a different rental and keep your voucher as long as the new landlord accepts it. Not all landlords participate in Section 8, so finding a rental can take time. The voucher itself is valuable — landlords know the payment is may provide by the federal government.

The Section 8 waiting list in Marietta is typically very long and may be closed to new applications. You will need to contact MHA directly to learn whether the list is open and what the current wait time is. Even if the list is closed now, you can ask to be notified when it reopens.

Income limits and who can explore

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits. These are set by HUD but vary by area and household size. A household of one has a lower limit than a household of four. The limits also change each year. For example, the limit for a single person in Cobb County might be around $35,000 annually, but you must confirm the current year's limits with MHA because they shift.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming in. Some income is not counted — for instance, certain education benefits and temporary information may be excluded. MHA staff can help you understand what counts as income when you explore.

You must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status to live in public housing or receive a Section 8 voucher. You also cannot have been evicted from public housing for drug-related activity in the past three years, and you cannot have a criminal history that disqualifies you under HUD rules. MHA will conduct a background check as part of the process process.

Documents you need to explore

When you contact MHA to explore, you will need to bring or provide proof of several things. Have your Social Security number and a photo ID ready. You will need to show proof of income — recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, tax returns, or a benefits statement if you receive Social Security or disability. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of that status.

You will also need to provide proof of residency in the Marietta or Cobb County area, such as a utility bill or lease. If you have a household, each member over 18 will need their own Social Security number and photo ID. Bring birth certificates or Social Security cards for any children. If you are explore for public housing, MHA may ask for references from previous landlords.

Bring originals or certified copies of documents when possible. MHA staff can tell you exactly what they need before you visit, so call ahead to avoid making multiple trips.

How to contact the Marietta Housing Authority

The Marietta Housing Authority office is located in Marietta. You can reach them by phone to ask about waiting lists, current wait times, and whether applications are being taken. Staff can also answer questions about income limits and what documents you need. You can visit the office in person to explore or get more information.

When you call or visit, have your household information ready — the number of people in your household, your income, and whether you are interested in public housing, Section 8, or both. MHA can tell you when ready whether you meet the income limits and what the wait time is. If the waiting list is closed, ask when it might reopen and whether you can be added to a notification list.

Processing times vary. Once you explore, MHA will conduct a background check and verify your income. This can take several weeks to several months depending on how busy the office is and how quickly you provide documents they request.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing in Marietta?

Wait times vary by property and change as units become available and people move. Some properties may have shorter waits than others. Contact MHA directly by phone or visit in person — they can tell you the current wait time for the specific type of housing you want.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists simultaneously. If you are offered a voucher first, you can accept it and stay on the public housing list, or vice versa. Let MHA know you are interested in both options when you explore.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

Income limits are firm — if you are over the limit, you do not meet the requirement for that program. However, limits change yearly and vary by household size. Contact MHA to confirm the exact limit for your household size in the current year. Some people become may be able to access when limits increase or when household size changes.

Can I keep my Section 8 voucher if I move out of Marietta?

Section 8 vouchers are portable within Cobb County. If you move outside Cobb County, you may be able to transfer your voucher to another housing authority, but this requires approval. Contact MHA before you move to understand portability rules for your specific situation.

What happens if I do not pass the background check?

MHA will notify you if you are denied based on background information. You have the right to request a copy of the report and to dispute inaccurate information. Contact MHA to learn about the appeal process if you believe a decision was made in error.