What the Albuquerque Housing Authority does

The Albuquerque Housing Authority (AHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Bernalillo County. It does not create housing policy for the city of Albuquerque itself — that is the city government's role. AHA's job is to own and manage public housing units, issue and manage Section 8 vouchers that tenants use to rent from private landlords, and handle the paperwork and inspections that come with both programs.

AHA serves renters with low to very low incomes. The agency has its own waiting lists for public housing and for Section 8 vouchers. Both lists are typically closed — meaning you cannot add your name to them right now — but they reopen periodically. When a list opens, AHA announces it through local media and on its website.

The agency is located at 1 Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. You can reach it by phone at (505) 761-6400. Its main office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Albuquerque Housing Authority runs public housing units and Section 8 vouchers in Bernalillo County, but both waiting lists are usually closed.
  • You can only add your name to a waiting list when AHA opens it, which happens at irregular intervals and is announced on the agency's website and in local news.
  • Public housing means AHA owns the building and you pay rent based on your income; Section 8 means you find a private landlord and AHA pays part of the rent directly to them.
  • To get on either waiting list, you must meet income limits, provide proof of residency in Bernalillo County, and pass a background check.
  • You can call AHA's main office to ask when the next waiting list opening is expected, though the agency cannot may provide a date.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

AHA administers two separate programs, and they work differently. Public housing means AHA owns the building where you live. You sign a lease with AHA, and your rent is set at 30 percent of your gross monthly income (or the minimum rent, whichever is higher). The minimum rent varies but is typically around $50 to $100 per month. You pay AHA directly. AHA is responsible for maintenance, utilities (in most cases), and property management.

Section 8 vouchers work the opposite way. You find an apartment or house owned by a private landlord, and AHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference out of pocket. The amount AHA pays is based on the local fair market rent for that unit size and neighborhood. You can use a voucher anywhere in Bernalillo County, as long as the landlord agrees to participate in the program and the unit passes an AHA inspection.

Both programs have separate waiting lists and separate income limits. Public housing waiting lists tend to move slower because AHA has a fixed number of units. Section 8 waiting lists also move slowly but can move faster if funding becomes available or if you fall into a priority category (such as homeless, elderly, or disabled).

Income limits and who can get on the waiting list

AHA sets income limits based on the area median income for Bernalillo County. These limits change every year. As of the most recent published figures, the income limit for a single person in public housing is roughly 50 percent of area median income, and for Section 8 it is roughly 50 percent as well, though Section 8 can serve households up to 80 percent of area median income in some cases.

Because area median income changes annually, you should call AHA at (505) 761-6400 to ask for the current year's income limits for your household size. Do not rely on figures from previous years.

Beyond income, you must also provide proof that you live in Bernalillo County. AHA typically accepts a utility bill, lease, or government-issued ID with a current address. You will also need to pass a background check. AHA screens for criminal history, eviction history, and lease violations. A criminal record or eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but serious crimes or recent evictions can.

How to find out when waiting lists open

Both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists are managed by AHA directly. When either list opens, AHA announces it on its official website at www.aha-nm.org and through local media outlets. You can also call the main office at (505) 761-6400 to ask whether a list is currently open or when one is expected to open.

There is no way to predict exactly when a list will open. AHA opens lists based on funding availability, turnover in existing units, and administrative capacity. Some years a list may open twice; other years it may not open at all. The agency does not maintain a waitlist to join the waiting list.

If you want to be notified when a list opens, check the AHA website regularly or call the office every few months. Some local nonprofits and community action agencies also track AHA announcements and can alert you — you can ask 211 New Mexico (dial 211 or visit www.211nm.org) whether any local organizations offer this service.

What documents you need to bring when you explore

When a waiting list opens and you are ready to explore, bring the following documents to AHA's office or submit them by mail if the agency allows it (call ahead to confirm the current process):

  • A photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
  • Proof of residency in Bernalillo County (utility bill, lease, or recent mail from a government agency)
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, Social Security statement, unemployment letter, or child support documentation)
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Birth certificates or proof of citizenship for all household members
  • If you are receiving benefits (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid), bring documentation of that as well

AHA staff will review your documents on the spot or tell you what is missing. If documents are missing, you will have a set amount of time (usually 10 to 14 days) to return them. If you do not return missing documents by the important date, your process may be rejected.

The waiting list process and timeline

Once your process is accepted, your name goes on the waiting list in the order it was received. AHA does not rank applicants by need or priority unless you fall into a federal priority category (such as homeless, elderly, or disabled). In that case, you may be placed higher on the list.

How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. For public housing, waits can range from one to five years or longer, depending on the size of the unit you need and current turnover. For Section 8, waits are often similar, though they can be shorter if funding increases.

AHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available for you. You must respond within a set timeframe (usually 10 days) or you may lose your spot and have to reapply. If you accept a unit or voucher, you will move to the next step: signing a lease (for public housing) or finding a landlord and having the unit inspected (for Section 8).

Contact information and office locations

The main AHA office is at 1 Civic Plaza NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102. Phone: (505) 761-6400. Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time. The website is www.aha-nm.org.

AHA also manages several public housing communities throughout Albuquerque. If you are already a resident of AHA public housing and need to report a maintenance issue or pay rent, you may be able to do so at your building's management office. Call the main number to find out which office serves your building.

For questions about Section 8 specifically, you can ask to speak with the Section 8 department when you call. For public housing questions, ask for the public housing department. Both departments handle their own paperwork and inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists and separate processes. You can explore to both when they are open. If you are offered a unit or voucher from one program, you can usually stay on the other list, though you should confirm this with AHA when you explore.

What happens if I move out of Bernalillo County while I am on the waiting list?

You will be removed from the waiting list. AHA only serves Bernalillo County. If you move back into the county later, you can reapply when the next list opens.

Do I have to pay an process fee?

No. AHA does not charge a fee to explore for public housing or Section 8. If someone asks you for money to help you get on the waiting list or to move you up the list, that is a scam. Report it to AHA directly.

What if I have a criminal record or an eviction on my record?

AHA will review your background as part of the process process. A criminal record or eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but serious crimes (especially drug-related or violent crimes) or recent evictions can. Call AHA to ask about your specific situation before you explore.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside of Bernalillo County?

No. Section 8 vouchers issued by AHA can only be used to rent units within Bernalillo County. If you need to move to a different county, you would have to transfer your voucher to that county's housing authority, and that authority would have to accept the transfer — which is not may provide.