What the Burlington Housing Authority does

The Burlington Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Burlington, Vermont. It does not build or finance housing for the general public — it runs apartment buildings and provides rent subsidies to people who meet income limits. If you live in Burlington and need affordable housing, the BHA maintains a waiting list. If you already rent from the BHA, it handles your lease, maintenance requests, and rent payments.

The BHA is separate from the city government, though it receives some public funding. It answers to a board of commissioners and must follow Vermont state housing law plus federal rules that come with federal funding. This means your rights as a BHA tenant are stronger than they would be with a private landlord in some areas — the agency cannot evict you without cause, and it must give you written notice and a chance to respond before terminating your lease.

Key Takeaways

  • The Burlington Housing Authority owns and manages affordable apartments in Burlington and maintains a waiting list for people who meet income limits.
  • BHA tenants have stronger eviction protections than private renters because the agency must follow federal housing rules and Vermont state law.
  • You can contact the BHA directly to ask about current openings, waiting list status, or maintenance issues — they do not require you to go through a third-party portal.
  • Income limits for BHA housing vary by family size and change yearly, so you must verify current thresholds with the agency before assuming you may have access to.
  • If you have a dispute with the BHA over rent, maintenance, or lease terms, Vermont's rental housing laws give you the right to request a hearing before eviction.

How to contact the Burlington Housing Authority

The BHA office is located in Burlington and handles all inquiries about waiting lists, current units, lease questions, and maintenance. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask whether they are accepting new applications, what the current wait time is, and what income limits explore to your household size. The phone number and office hours are on the BHA website.

If you are already a BHA tenant, you can report maintenance issues the same way — by phone or in person. The BHA is required to respond to repair requests within a reasonable time under Vermont law. If a repair is urgent (no heat, no water, broken locks), tell the office it is urgent when you call, and document the date and time of your report.

Income limits and who can rent from the BHA

The Burlington Housing Authority sets income limits based on the federal definition of "low income" and "very low income." These thresholds change every year and depend on your household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's. You must provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove your income when you explore.

The BHA also considers your rental history, credit, and criminal background. Having a past eviction or unpaid rent does not automatically disqualify you, but the BHA will review it. If you have questions about whether your income or background will affect your chances, ask the BHA directly — they can tell you what they look for and what documents to bring.

The waiting list and how long it takes to get housing

The Burlington Housing Authority maintains a waiting list for people who meet income requirements. The list is not first-come, first-served in all cases — the BHA may prioritize people with urgent needs, such as those experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. Wait times vary depending on how many units are available and how many people are on the list. In some years the wait is a few months; in others it can be longer.

Once you are on the list, the BHA will contact you when a unit matching your household size becomes available. You will have a limited time to view the unit and decide whether to accept it. If you turn down a unit, you stay on the list but may move down in priority. Ask the BHA what the current wait time is when you inquire — they track this information and can give you a realistic estimate.

Your rights as a BHA tenant

Because the Burlington Housing Authority receives federal funding, it must follow the Fair Housing Act and cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability. It also must follow Vermont's Residential Rental Agreements and Tenancy Law, which sets out rules for eviction, notice periods, and your right to a habitable home.

The BHA cannot evict you without cause. If you violate your lease — for example, by not paying rent or breaking a house rule — the agency must give you written notice and a chance to cure (fix) the problem within a reasonable time. If you do not cure it, the BHA can file for eviction in court, but you have the right to appear and defend yourself. You also have the right to request a hearing with the BHA before it files in court, and the agency must tell you how to request one.

If the BHA fails to maintain the unit — no heat, broken plumbing, mold, broken locks — you have the right to request repairs in writing and to withhold rent if the problem is serious and the BHA does not fix it within a reasonable time. Vermont law defines what "reasonable" means, and the BHA knows these rules. If you have a dispute, you can file a complaint with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development.

What to do if you have a problem with the BHA

If you have a dispute with the Burlington Housing Authority — over rent, maintenance, a lease violation notice, or anything else — start by putting your complaint in writing and sending it to the BHA office. Include the date, what happened, and what you want the agency to do. Keep a copy for yourself. Give the BHA a reasonable time to respond (usually 10 to 14 days).

If the BHA does not respond or you disagree with its answer, you can file a complaint with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development or contact a local legal aid organization. Vermont Legal Aid offers free legal help to people with low income and can advise you on your rights as a BHA tenant. You can also request a hearing through the BHA's internal process if the agency has issued you a notice to cure or evict.

Rent, fees, and what you pay each month

The Burlington Housing Authority sets rent based on a percentage of your income — usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though this can vary. This means your rent goes down if your income goes down and up if your income goes up. You must report changes in income to the BHA so your rent can be adjusted. If you do not report a raise or a new job, the BHA may discover it during a recertification and adjust your rent retroactively.

The BHA does not charge process fees or hidden fees. Utilities may or may not be included in your rent depending on the unit — ask when you view it. If you fall behind on rent, contact the BHA when ready to discuss a payment plan. The agency is more likely to work with you if you reach out before you miss a payment than if you wait until the BHA sends you a notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get on the Burlington Housing Authority waiting list?

Contact the BHA office by phone or in person and ask to explore. You will need to provide proof of income, identification, and information about your household size. The BHA will tell you whether the list is open and what documents to bring. There is no fee to explore.

Can the BHA evict me if I lose my job and cannot pay rent?

The BHA can file for eviction if you do not pay rent, but it must give you written notice first and a chance to pay what you owe or work out a payment plan. If you lose your job, contact the BHA right away — many agencies will work with you on a temporary arrangement while you look for new work. Do not wait until you receive an eviction notice.

What if my apartment has a serious maintenance problem and the BHA will not fix it?

Put your repair request in writing, include the date you reported it, and send it to the BHA office. If the problem is urgent (no heat, no water, broken locks), call and say so. If the BHA does not respond within a reasonable time, you can file a complaint with the Vermont Department of Housing and Community Development or contact Vermont Legal Aid for information.

Does the Burlington Housing Authority accept people with eviction history?

The BHA considers rental history but does not automatically reject people with past evictions. Each process is reviewed individually. If you have an eviction in your past, be honest about it when you explore and explain what happened. Ask the BHA what weight they give to old evictions versus recent ones.

Can I be evicted for something other than not paying rent?

Yes. The BHA can evict you for violating your lease — for example, keeping a pet if pets are not allowed, causing damage, or breaking a house rule. But the agency must give you written notice and a chance to fix the problem first. You also have the right to a hearing before eviction goes to court.