What the Austin Housing Authority does

The Austin Housing Authority (AHA) is a local government agency that owns and operates public housing in Austin, Texas, and administers housing vouchers that help low-income residents afford private rental units. It does not issue vouchers or housing directly to the public through a single process — instead, it manages specific properties and a waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8). The agency also partners with other organizations to run supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness.

AHA is separate from the City of Austin's housing department and from state or federal housing offices. If you are looking for public housing or a voucher in Austin, AHA is the body you contact, but the process and timeline depend on which program you are interested in and whether a waiting list is currently open.

Key Takeaways

  • The Austin Housing Authority manages public housing properties and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, but waiting lists are often closed and can have years-long waits when open.
  • You must contact AHA directly to learn whether a waiting list is currently open — this changes and is not posted on a single public calendar.
  • Public housing and vouchers are separate programs with different waiting lists, income limits, and process processes.
  • AHA also runs or partners on supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness, which has different may be able to access rules than standard public housing.
  • If AHA's waiting list is closed, other Austin organizations offer rental information, down payment help, and counseling that may be available sooner.

Public housing properties managed by AHA

The Austin Housing Authority owns and operates several public housing communities across Austin. These are apartment complexes where AHA is the landlord, and rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (with a minimum rent that varies by property). To live in AHA public housing, your household income must fall below 50 percent of the area median income, which changes yearly. For 2024, that threshold is roughly $40,000 for a family of four, though the exact limit depends on family size.

Public housing waiting lists are often closed. When a list is open, the wait to be housed can be several years. You can contact AHA directly to ask whether the public housing waiting list is currently accepting new names and what the current wait time is. The agency's main office phone number and website are the fastest way to get current information, since waiting list status changes and is not posted in real time on a public calendar.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) in Austin

The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly called Section 8, allows you to rent a private apartment and receive a subsidy that covers part of the rent. You find your own unit, the landlord must agree to participate, and AHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest (typically 30 percent of your income). The voucher is portable — if you move within Austin or to another city, you can use it at a new address as long as the landlord agrees.

The voucher waiting list in Austin is also typically closed. When it opens, demand far exceeds available vouchers, and wait times can exceed five years. AHA maintains a single waiting list for vouchers, and you must be on that list to receive one. Contact AHA to confirm whether the voucher waiting list is open and what the current wait time is. Some people are prioritized (for example, people experiencing homelessness or those leaving institutional care), so ask whether you fall into a priority category.

Supportive housing and special programs

Beyond standard public housing and vouchers, AHA partners with nonprofits and the City of Austin to run supportive housing for people experiencing homelessness. These programs combine housing with services like case management, mental health support, or job training. may be able to access and process processes differ from public housing — they are often based on referral from a homeless services provider or outreach worker rather than a waiting list you join yourself.

If you are experiencing homelessness or at when ready risk, contact the Austin Public Health Department's Homeless Services or call 211 (a free referral line) to learn about supportive housing options. These programs sometimes have shorter wait times than standard public housing because they serve a specific population and receive dedicated funding.

Income limits and what counts as income

Both public housing and vouchers have income limits based on your household size and the area median income for Austin. Your household income includes wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and other regular income sources. AHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify income. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program.

Income limits are recalculated yearly by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. AHA can tell you the current limits for your household size when you contact them. Some people are exempt from income limits if they are already living in public housing and their income rises — ask AHA about continued occupancy rules if your situation changes.

How to contact the Austin Housing Authority

The Austin Housing Authority's main office is located at 1124 East 52nd Street, Austin, Texas 78723. You can reach them by phone at (512) 457-3600 during business hours (typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Their website has information about current waiting lists, process forms, and property listings.

When you call or visit, ask specifically whether the waiting list you are interested in (public housing or vouchers) is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can be placed on a notification list. If you need help understanding the process or have questions about your situation, AHA staff can answer questions about their programs, though they cannot advise you on other housing options outside AHA.

Other Austin housing resources if AHA waiting lists are closed

Because AHA waiting lists are frequently closed or have long waits, other Austin organizations offer rental information, down payment help, and housing counseling. The City of Austin's Housing and Planning Department administers emergency rental information and other programs. Nonprofit organizations like Austin Housing Conservancy, Community Development Corporation, and Austin Tenants Council offer counseling, legal help with eviction, and information about tenant rights.

If you need housing help now and AHA's waiting list is closed, contact 211 or visit the City of Austin's housing page to learn what programs are currently open. Many of these programs have different income limits and may be able to access rules than AHA, so you may be able to move forward faster through another route while you wait for an AHA list to open.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get public housing or a voucher from AHA?

Wait times vary widely depending on the program and your priority status. Public housing waits can be several years; voucher waits can exceed five years. The only way to know the current wait time is to contact AHA directly, since it changes as people move or leave the program. Ask whether you fall into a priority category, which can shorten your wait.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists, and you can be on both. Being on both lists gives you more options, though you will receive housing through whichever program reaches you first. Let AHA know if you want to be on both lists when you contact them.

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

AHA has a continued occupancy rule that allows you to stay in public housing even if your income rises above the limit, though your rent will increase. The rules vary by property and by how much your income exceeds the limit. Contact AHA to understand how this works for the specific property where you live.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to explore for AHA housing?

No, but you must have may be able to access immigration status. Permanent residents, refugees, and some other categories are may be able to access. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access for federal housing programs. AHA can tell you whether your immigration status qualifies when you contact them.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

AHA considers eviction history but does not automatically deny you. The agency looks at the reason for the eviction, how long ago it happened, and whether you have paid any judgment. Contact AHA to discuss your specific situation — some people with evictions are still able to move forward, especially if the eviction was years ago or resulted from circumstances beyond your control.