What the Bossier Housing Authority does
The Bossier Housing Authority is a public agency that runs public housing and rental information programs in Bossier City and Bossier Parish, Louisiana. It owns and manages apartment complexes for low-income residents, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and handles applications for people seeking affordable housing in the area. The Authority is not a private landlord — it is a government body created to provide housing options to people who meet income limits.
The Authority operates from a main office in Bossier City and maintains a waiting list for both public housing units and vouchers. Because demand usually exceeds available units, most programs have a closed or very long waiting list. The Authority's role is to determine who qualifies, manage the process process, and oversee the properties or vouchers it administers.
Key Takeaways
- The Bossier Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program for low-income households in Bossier Parish.
- You must meet income limits based on household size, and income thresholds are set annually and vary by program.
- Most programs have waiting lists that are often closed; you can contact the Authority to learn the current status and ask to be added when it reopens.
- The Authority's office is located in Bossier City, and you can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current openings and what documents you will need.
- If you receive a voucher, you find your own rental unit and the Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent; you pay the difference.
Public housing units managed by the Authority
The Bossier Housing Authority owns and operates apartment complexes where residents pay rent based on their income — typically 30 percent of gross monthly income. These are not temporary shelters; they are permanent rental housing. Units range from one-bedroom to larger family apartments, though availability depends on current occupancy and turnover.
To be considered for public housing, your household income must fall below the limit set for your area and household size. The Authority publishes these limits annually. You will also need to pass a background check and meet other requirements related to rental history and criminal history. The specific standards vary, so contact the Authority directly to understand what disqualifies an applicant.
Because public housing is in high demand and units turn over slowly, waiting lists are typically closed or very long. Even if the list is closed now, you can ask the Authority when it expects to reopen and request to be notified.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, works differently from public housing. The Authority gives you a voucher that subsidizes rent at a private landlord's apartment. You find the unit yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the Authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest from your own income, usually 30 percent of your gross income.
Vouchers are portable — if you move within the Bossier Housing Authority's jurisdiction, you can use the same voucher at a new address. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and pass the Authority's inspection of the unit. Not all landlords participate, so finding a unit can take time.
Like public housing, the voucher program has income limits and a waiting list. The waiting list is often closed. When it is open, the Authority typically processes applications in the order received, though some priority categories may exist for people experiencing homelessness or other circumstances.
Income limits and who qualifies
The Bossier Housing Authority sets income limits based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's area median income. Limits are published annually and vary by household size. For example, a household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. The Authority counts gross income — wages, Social Security, child support, and other regular income sources — before taxes.
Income limits change each year, so a household that may have access to last year may not may have access to this year if income rose, or vice versa. The Authority's website or office can tell you the current limits for your household size. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements to prove your income when you explore.
How to contact the Bossier Housing Authority
The Bossier Housing Authority's main office is located in Bossier City. You can reach them by phone to ask about current waiting list status, income limits, required documents, and next steps. You can also visit in person or send mail to request information or to ask about being added to a waiting list when it reopens.
When you contact them, have your household size and approximate income ready. Ask specifically whether the waiting list for public housing or vouchers is open, and if it is closed, when the Authority expects to reopen it. Ask what documents you will need to bring if you explore — typically a photo ID, proof of income, and proof of residency.
The Authority's office hours and phone number are available on the Bossier Housing Authority's official website or through the City of Bossier City's main office. Do not rely on third-party websites for contact information; go directly to the Authority's official channels.
What happens after you explore
Once you submit an process, the Authority reviews it to confirm you meet income limits, pass background checks, and meet other program requirements. This process typically takes several weeks. The Authority will contact you if they need additional documents or have questions about your process.
If you are approved, you move to the waiting list in the order your process was received (unless you fall into a priority category). How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how quickly units or vouchers become available. For public housing, you wait until a unit opens. For vouchers, you wait until the Authority has a voucher to issue.
If you are denied, the Authority must tell you why and give you a chance to appeal or request reconsideration. Ask for this information in writing so you have a record of the reason.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bossier Housing Authority waiting list open right now?
Waiting lists open and close based on the number of applicants and available units or vouchers. Contact the Authority directly by phone or visit their office to learn the current status. If the list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen it and whether you can request notification when that happens.
What income do I need to have to may have access to?
Income limits are set annually and depend on your household size. The Authority publishes these limits each year. Contact them with your household size to learn the current limit. Income is counted as gross monthly or annual income before taxes, including wages, benefits, and child support.
Can I use a Section 8 voucher if I move out of Bossier Parish?
Housing Choice Vouchers are portable within the Bossier Housing Authority's jurisdiction, which is Bossier Parish. If you move outside the parish, you would need to contact the housing authority in your new location to port the voucher. Some authorities accept ports and some do not, so confirm before you move.
What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?
The Authority has policies about criminal history and evictions, but they do not automatically disqualify applicants. Contact the Authority to ask what their specific standards are. They can tell you whether your situation would prevent you from being considered.
How long does it take to get a voucher or public housing unit?
Wait times vary widely depending on how many people are on the list and how quickly units or vouchers become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. The Authority can give you a rough estimate based on current demand. Ask them to explain how the waiting list works and where you would fall if you applied.