What the Anne Arundel Housing Authority does

The Anne Arundel Housing Authority (AAHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. It administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which subsidizes rent for low-income households, and it owns and operates public housing properties directly. AAHA does not set county housing policy — that is the county government's role — but it runs the day-to-day programs that put federal housing dollars to work in your community.

If you rent from AAHA or hold an AAHA voucher, AAHA is your landlord or your voucher administrator. If you are looking for affordable housing in Anne Arundel County, AAHA maintains waiting lists for both its public housing and its voucher program. Neither program is first-come, first-served; both prioritize households by need and local preference rules.

Key Takeaways

  • AAHA runs two separate programs: public housing it owns directly, and Section 8 vouchers that subsidize rent at private landlords' properties.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that are often closed; you can contact AAHA to learn the current status and ask to be notified when a list reopens.
  • AAHA's main office is in Glen Burnie, and you can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask questions about your lease, your voucher, or how to get on a waiting list.
  • If you have a dispute with AAHA as your landlord or voucher administrator, you have the right to a hearing before an independent officer.
  • AAHA also manages some special programs for seniors and people with disabilities, which may have shorter waiting lists or different rules than standard public housing.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

AAHA owns and operates public housing buildings where you rent directly from the authority. Your lease is with AAHA, your rent is set by a formula based on your income (typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income), and AAHA maintains the building. Public housing in Anne Arundel County includes family apartments, senior communities, and properties for people with disabilities. The waiting list for public housing is managed by AAHA and is often closed due to high demand.

A Section 8 voucher is different: AAHA gives you a voucher that subsidizes your rent at a private landlord's property. You find the apartment, the landlord agrees to rent to you, and AAHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent directly. You pay the rest. Your lease is with the private landlord, not with AAHA, but AAHA inspects the unit, approves the lease, and handles the subsidy payments. The Section 8 waiting list is also often closed; when it is open, AAHA uses a lottery system or a date-order system depending on the program year.

How to contact AAHA and find current waiting list status

The Anne Arundel Housing Authority's main office is located in Glen Burnie. You can call their main line to ask about waiting list status, request an process, or ask questions about a lease or voucher you already hold. You can also visit in person during business hours or send a written request by mail. AAHA's website lists office hours and contact information, and it sometimes posts waiting list status there as well.

Waiting lists open and close based on demand and funding. AAHA may close a list when it has received enough applications to fill anticipated openings for the next year or more. If a list is closed when you call, ask AAHA to add your name to a notification list so you are contacted when it reopens. Some people wait months or years between process and housing offer, so getting on the notification list early matters.

What happens after you are offered housing or a voucher

If AAHA offers you public housing, you will sign a lease that includes AAHA's house rules, rent calculation, and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. AAHA will conduct a move-in inspection, and you will pay a security deposit (the amount varies by property). Your rent is recalculated annually based on your income, and AAHA can raise or lower it depending on changes you report.

If you are offered a Section 8 voucher, AAHA will give you a voucher packet that explains the program rules, the payment standard (the maximum rent AAHA will subsidize in your area), and your obligations as a voucher holder. You then have a set time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord and a unit that meets AAHA's standards. AAHA inspects the unit, approves the lease, and then begins paying the landlord. If you do not find housing within the time limit, your voucher may be returned to the program.

Your rights as an AAHA tenant or voucher holder

If you rent public housing from AAHA, you have the same tenant rights as anyone renting in Maryland: the right to a habitable unit, the right to privacy, the right to proper notice before eviction, and the right to a hearing before a judge. AAHA must follow Maryland's eviction law and cannot evict you without cause and a court order. Common causes include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity on the property.

If you hold a Section 8 voucher, your rights depend partly on your lease with the private landlord and partly on federal voucher program rules. Your landlord cannot discriminate against you because you hold a voucher (that is illegal in Maryland), cannot charge you more than the lease states, and must maintain the unit in habitable condition. AAHA can terminate your voucher for program violations — such as failing to report income changes, moving without permission, or allowing unauthorized occupants — but must give you notice and a chance to respond.

Both public housing tenants and voucher holders have the right to request a hearing if AAHA takes an action against them — such as raising rent, terminating a voucher, or moving to evict. The hearing is held before an independent officer, not an AAHA employee, and you can bring evidence and witnesses.

Special programs and properties

AAHA manages several properties and programs designed for specific populations. These include senior communities (age 62 and older), properties for people with disabilities, and family housing. Some of these programs have their own waiting lists, and may be able to access rules may differ from standard public housing. For example, a senior property may prioritize applicants over 62, or a disability property may prioritize people with a documented disability. Contact AAHA directly to learn which properties match your household and what the current waiting list status is for each.

AAHA also participates in some state and federal programs that provide additional support — such as supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness or transitional housing for families in crisis. These programs are often smaller and may have different process processes. Ask AAHA whether you might be referred to one of these programs based on your situation.

What to do if you have a problem with AAHA

If you have a dispute with AAHA — such as a disagreement over rent calculation, a maintenance issue that is not being fixed, or a notice to vacate you believe is improper — start by putting your concern in writing and sending it to AAHA's management office. Keep a copy for yourself. AAHA is required to respond to written complaints within a set timeframe (usually 10 to 30 days depending on the issue).

If AAHA's response does not resolve the problem, you have the right to request a hearing. For public housing tenants, this is called a grievance hearing; for voucher holders, it is called a hearing under the voucher program rules. The hearing is conducted by an independent officer who reviews both sides and makes a decision. You can represent yourself or bring someone to help you. If you lose the hearing and believe AAHA violated federal law, you may have grounds to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which oversees AAHA's programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to get housing or a voucher from AAHA?

Wait times vary widely depending on the program and current demand. Some people wait one to two years; others wait much longer. AAHA can tell you the current average wait time when you call. Getting on a waiting list early and staying in touch with AAHA about any changes to your contact information or household will help may support you do not miss an offer.

Can AAHA evict me without going to court?

No. AAHA must follow Maryland's eviction law, which requires written notice, a waiting period, and a court hearing. You have the right to appear in court, present your side, and challenge the eviction. If AAHA wins, the judge will issue an order, and only then can AAHA proceed with removal. You also have the right to a grievance hearing with AAHA before the court case if you dispute the reason for eviction.

What if my landlord refuses to accept my Section 8 voucher?

Refusing to rent to someone because they hold a Section 8 voucher is illegal discrimination under Maryland law. You can file a complaint with the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights or with HUD. Document the refusal in writing — including the date, the property address, and what the landlord said — and keep it with your complaint. AAHA can also help you understand your options.

Can AAHA raise my rent if my income goes up?

Yes. AAHA recalculates rent annually based on your reported income. If your income increases, your rent will likely increase. You are required to report income changes to AAHA within 30 days. If you do not report a change and AAHA discovers it later, you may owe back rent. If your income decreases, report that too — your rent may go down.

What happens if I move without telling AAHA?

If you hold a Section 8 voucher and move without AAHA's permission, your voucher will be terminated and you will lose the subsidy. If you rent public housing from AAHA and move out without notice, you will still owe rent for the time you occupied the unit, and AAHA may pursue collection or eviction. Always notify AAHA in writing before you move, and follow the lease terms for giving notice.