What the Cameron County Housing Authority does

The Cameron County Housing Authority (CCHA) is a local government agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in Cameron County, Texas. It does not build or own most of the housing it oversees — instead, it administers federal funds that help low-income households pay rent, and it runs public housing developments where it does own the buildings.

CCHA serves the unincorporated areas of Cameron County and works alongside the City of Brownsville Housing Authority, which handles the city itself. If you live in Brownsville city limits, you will work with the city authority. If you live outside the city in the county, CCHA is the agency you contact.

The authority's main programs are public housing (where CCHA owns the property and you rent from them) and Housing Choice Vouchers (where you find a private rental and the voucher pays part of your rent to the landlord). Both programs have long waiting lists, and both require income verification and a background check.

Key Takeaways

  • CCHA administers public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers in unincorporated Cameron County; the City of Brownsville Housing Authority handles the city itself.
  • Both programs require proof of income, a background check, and a lease or rental agreement before you can move in.
  • Waiting lists for both programs are typically years long, and CCHA opens and closes the list depending on how many people are waiting.
  • You can contact CCHA directly by phone or in person to ask whether the waiting list is currently open and what documents you will need.
  • If you are facing eviction or have an when ready housing crisis, ask CCHA about emergency rental information programs, which are separate from the main housing programs.

Public housing through CCHA

Public housing means CCHA owns the building and you rent directly from the authority. CCHA operates several public housing developments in Cameron County, with units ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom apartments. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, or the minimum rent set by the authority, whichever is higher. The minimum rent is typically between $50 and $100 per month, depending on the development.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must fall below 80 percent of the area median income for Cameron County. CCHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to verify income. You will also need to pass a criminal background check and a credit check. CCHA may deny you if you have a history of violence, drug-related convictions, or serious lease violations.

The waiting list for public housing is typically closed or has a wait time measured in years. You can call CCHA to ask whether the list is currently open. If it is open, you can submit an process in person at their office. CCHA will contact you when a unit becomes available, which may take a long time.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

A Housing Choice Voucher, often called Section 8, is a federal subsidy that you take to a private landlord. You find an apartment or house on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the voucher pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference out of your own pocket.

The amount the voucher covers depends on the fair market rent for your area and your household income. CCHA publishes the payment standard for each bedroom size — for example, a two-bedroom voucher might cover $800 per month, meaning if your rent is $1,000, you pay $200. If your rent is $700, you pay $700 and the voucher covers it all.

Income limits are the same as for public housing: your household must earn below 80 percent of area median income. You will need to provide proof of income, pass a background check, and have a signed lease before CCHA will issue the voucher. The waiting list for vouchers is also typically years long and frequently closed.

How to contact CCHA and what documents to bring

The Cameron County Housing Authority office is located in Brownsville. You can reach them by phone to ask about current waiting list status, program requirements, and what documents you will need to bring if you want to explore. Having this information before you visit saves time.

When you are ready to explore, bring original or certified copies of:

  • A government-issued photo ID for each household member age 18 and older
  • Proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer)
  • Proof of residency in Cameron County (a utility bill or lease in your name)
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Birth certificates for any children in the household

CCHA staff will tell you if additional documents are needed for your specific situation. Do not assume you are ineligible based on income or background — CCHA makes those determinations after reviewing your full process.

Waiting lists and how long the process takes

Both public housing and vouchers operate under waiting lists that CCHA manages. When the list is open, new applications are accepted. When it is closed, no new applications are taken, though people already on the list continue to move toward the top. CCHA closes the list when it reaches a certain size to manage the number of people waiting.

Wait times vary widely. Some people wait one to two years; others wait five years or longer. The order on the list depends on when you applied and, in some cases, on local preferences — for example, CCHA may prioritize people who work in Cameron County or who are currently homeless.

Once a unit or voucher becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list, CCHA will contact you. You will have a limited time to respond — usually 10 to 14 days. If you do not respond, CCHA moves to the next person on the list. If you do respond, you will have a few weeks to complete the remaining steps: final income verification, lease signing (for vouchers, finding a landlord first), and a move-in inspection.

What happens if you are facing eviction or need help now

Public housing and vouchers take months or years to obtain. If you are behind on rent or facing eviction, CCHA may be able to refer you to emergency rental information programs run by Cameron County or the State of Texas. These programs are separate from the main housing programs and are designed to pay back rent or help you avoid eviction in the short term.

Contact CCHA and ask specifically about emergency rental information or emergency funds. They can tell you whether a program is currently accepting applications and what you will need to provide. You can also call 211 (a free referral service) to find emergency information programs in your area.

If you have already received an eviction notice, tell your landlord when ready that you have applied for information and ask them to hold off on filing in court. Some emergency programs can move faster if there is an active court case, and some can contact the court on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in Cameron County to explore?

Yes. CCHA serves unincorporated Cameron County only. If you live within Brownsville city limits, you must explore through the City of Brownsville Housing Authority instead. If you are unsure whether your address is in the city or the county, CCHA can tell you when you call.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

CCHA reviews each process individually. A criminal record or past eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but CCHA will consider the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and what you have done since. Violent crimes and drug-related convictions are more likely to result in denial. Contact CCHA to discuss your specific situation before explore.

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists simultaneously. If you receive a voucher first, you can use it while waiting for public housing, or you can decline the voucher and stay on the public housing list. CCHA will explain your options when you are offered a program.

How do I know if the waiting list is open?

Call CCHA directly and ask. The waiting list status changes throughout the year as people move in or are removed from the list. CCHA staff can tell you when ready whether you can explore now or whether the list is closed and when it might reopen.

What if I cannot afford the minimum rent in public housing?

CCHA sets a minimum rent for each development, typically $50 to $100 per month. If you cannot afford even the minimum, you may not be able to live in that particular development, but CCHA may have other options or can discuss your situation. Bring this concern up when you explore.