What Alexandria Housing Authority does

Alexandria Housing Authority (AHA) is a public agency that runs public housing, rental vouchers, and housing support programs in Alexandria, Virginia. It does not build or own most of the housing it manages — instead, it pays private landlords to house low-income residents, and it owns a smaller number of public housing units directly. If you live in Alexandria and need affordable rental housing, AHA is the body that administers the programs available to you.

AHA operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but it makes its own decisions about how fast to process applications, which neighborhoods it prioritizes, and how it spends its local budget. This means the rules and wait times in Alexandria differ from those in Arlington or Fairfax County.

Key Takeaways

  • Alexandria Housing Authority runs public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in Alexandria, Virginia.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that are often closed; you can contact AHA to learn when applications reopen.
  • Public housing is owned and managed by AHA directly, while vouchers let you rent from a private landlord of your choice who accepts the voucher.
  • AHA's office is located in Alexandria, and you can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current programs and wait list status.
  • Income limits, rent calculations, and lease terms are set by federal law but applied by AHA staff to your specific situation.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

AHA manages two main types of affordable housing. Public housing means AHA owns the building and you rent directly from AHA. The rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household income (or the minimum rent, whichever is higher). You live in a unit that AHA maintains, and AHA handles repairs and building management.

Housing Choice Vouchers (also called Section 8) work differently. AHA gives you a voucher worth a certain dollar amount each month. You find a rental unit in the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and AHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest. You have more choice of where to live, but the landlord must pass an inspection and agree to the program's terms. Not all landlords accept vouchers.

Both programs require your household income to fall below a set limit. In Alexandria, those limits change each year and depend on household size. Both also have waiting lists, and both lists are often closed to new applications. Contact AHA directly to learn whether either list is currently open.

How to contact Alexandria Housing Authority

Alexandria Housing Authority's main office is located at 4 King Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. You can reach them by phone at (703) 549-7000 during business hours. They also accept mail and have a website where you can find current information about programs and waiting list status.

When you call or visit, ask whether the public housing waiting list or the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is open. If both are closed, ask when they typically reopen and whether you can request notification when applications resume. Some people call back every few months; others sign up for email alerts if AHA offers them.

If you are experiencing a housing crisis — eviction notice, homelessness, or domestic violence — mention that when you contact AHA. Some programs prioritize people in urgent situations, and AHA staff can tell you whether you may have access to for faster processing or emergency information.

Income limits and rent calculations

To use AHA housing or vouchers, your household income must not exceed the limit for your household size. These limits are set by HUD each year and vary by area. For Alexandria, a single person might have a limit around $50,000 to $55,000 annually, while a family of four might be around $80,000 to $90,000 — but these numbers change yearly, so contact AHA for the current limits.

Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and other regular money your household receives. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or money from selling an item. AHA will ask you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify your income.

In public housing, your rent is 30 percent of your adjusted gross income (after certain deductions for dependents, medical expenses, or disabilities). In a voucher program, you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent — so if your voucher covers $1,200 and the rent is $1,400, you pay $200. If the rent is $1,000, you pay $0 and AHA pays the full amount.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both AHA's public housing and voucher programs maintain waiting lists. When a list is open, you submit an process and your name goes on the list. How long you wait depends on the size of the list, how many units become available, and AHA's prioritization rules. In Alexandria, wait times can range from several months to several years, and they change as people move out or the program receives more funding.

AHA may prioritize certain groups — for example, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or families with children. Ask AHA whether you fall into a priority category. If you do, you may move up the list faster than someone who does not.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change — your income might increase, you might move out of Alexandria, or you might find other housing. If that happens, contact AHA to update your process or ask to be removed from the list. Staying on a list you no longer need wastes a spot that could go to someone else.

What happens after you are selected from the waiting list

When your name reaches the top of the list and a unit or voucher becomes available, AHA will contact you. For public housing, you will meet with an AHA staff member to review the lease, discuss the unit, and complete a move-in inspection. You will pay a security deposit (usually equal to one month's rent) and sign the lease. Move-in typically happens within a few weeks of selection.

For a Housing Choice Voucher, AHA will give you the voucher and explain how to use it. You then search for a rental unit on your own. Once you find a place and the landlord agrees, AHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, AHA and the landlord sign a contract, and you can move in. This process usually takes one to three months from the time you receive the voucher.

In both cases, AHA will ask for proof of identity, Social Security number, and immigration status. You will also need to disclose any criminal history, though a record does not automatically disqualify you. AHA uses criminal history as one factor in deciding whether to approve your housing.

Rules you must follow as an AHA resident or voucher holder

Public housing residents and voucher holders must follow a lease and program rules. You cannot use illegal drugs in the unit, engage in criminal activity, or allow anyone to do so. You must maintain the unit in good condition and pay your portion of the rent on time. You must also report changes in your household — if someone moves in or out, if your income changes, or if you have a new dependent.

For public housing, AHA can inspect your unit to check for damage or lease violations. For vouchers, the landlord handles day-to-day maintenance, but AHA inspects periodically to may support the unit still meets housing quality standards. If you violate the lease or program rules, AHA can give you notice to cure (fix the problem) or notice to vacate (move out). You have the right to a hearing before eviction in most cases.

If your income increases, your rent will increase too — but only up to the market rent for the unit. If your income decreases, your rent decreases. You must report income changes within 30 days; failure to do so can result in overpayment and a debt to AHA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the waiting list is open right now?

Call Alexandria Housing Authority at (703) 549-7000 or visit their office at 4 King Street. They can tell you when ready whether the public housing list or voucher list is open. If both are closed, ask when they typically reopen and whether you can request a call when applications resume.

What if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. AHA considers the nature of the crime, how long ago it occurred, and what you have done since. Crimes involving drugs or violence are treated more seriously. You must disclose your history truthfully; hiding it can result in denial or eviction later.

Can I use my voucher to move to another city?

Housing Choice Vouchers are tied to Alexandria. If you move out of Alexandria, you lose the voucher. Some voucher programs allow "portability," which means you can move to another jurisdiction that participates in the program, but you must contact AHA first to arrange it. Not all areas accept portable vouchers.

What if I cannot afford the rent even with a voucher?

If the rent in your area is higher than your voucher amount, you pay the difference out of pocket. If you cannot afford it, you may need to look for a less expensive unit or ask AHA whether your voucher amount can be increased (this is rare and depends on funding). You can also look into emergency rental information programs run by the city or county.

How often does AHA raise the rent in public housing?

Your rent in public housing is recalculated each year based on your current income. If your income stays the same, your rent stays the same. If your income increases, your rent increases (up to 30 percent of income). If your income decreases, your rent decreases. You must report income changes within 30 days.