What the Rochester Housing Authority does

The City of Rochester Housing Authority (CRHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Rochester, New York. It does not set policy for the whole city — it administers specific programs for people who meet income limits. CRHA owns and operates apartment buildings, manages waiting lists, and processes vouchers that pay part of your rent at a private landlord's property.

CRHA is separate from the City of Rochester government, though it receives public funding. It answers to a board of commissioners and operates under New York State housing law. If you live in Rochester and need affordable housing, CRHA is usually the first place to contact because it runs the two largest programs available locally.

Key Takeaways

  • CRHA runs public housing (apartments it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rent subsidies at private landlords), and both have separate waiting lists with different income limits.
  • You must live in Rochester and meet income limits based on household size — these limits change yearly and are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
  • Waiting lists for both programs are usually closed, and when they reopen, they fill quickly; calling CRHA directly is the only way to know current status.
  • CRHA's main office is at 417 South Clinton Avenue, and you can reach them by phone to ask about waiting list openings and what documents you need to bring.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

CRHA operates two separate programs, and they work differently. Public housing means CRHA owns the building and you pay rent directly to CRHA. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum amount. CRHA maintains the building, handles repairs, and you have a lease with CRHA as your landlord.

Section 8 vouchers work the opposite way. You find a private landlord who agrees to accept the voucher, and CRHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference out of pocket, usually 30 percent of your income. You choose where to live (within Rochester and surrounding areas), and the landlord is not a CRHA employee — CRHA just subsidizes the rent.

Both programs have waiting lists, and both are usually closed. The waiting lists are separate, so you can be on one without being on the other. Public housing typically has a longer wait because there are fewer CRHA-owned units than there are vouchers available.

Income limits and household size

CRHA uses income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These limits depend on household size and change every year. For example, a single person might have a different limit than a family of four, and the limit for Rochester may differ from a neighboring county.

Your household income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and other regular money coming in. CRHA 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, regardless of other factors.

The current income limits are available on CRHA's website or by calling their office. Because limits change yearly, do not assume you know your status based on a previous year. If you are close to the limit, call and ask — staff can tell you the exact number for your household size.

How to contact CRHA and check waiting list status

CRHA's main office is located at 417 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604. You can call their main line to ask about waiting list status, program requirements, and what documents to bring. The office is open during regular business hours, and phone lines are usually busiest in the morning.

Waiting lists open and close based on demand and available funding. When a list is closed, CRHA stops taking new requests. When it reopens, it may fill within days or weeks. There is no way to know when a list will reopen except by calling CRHA directly — no website posts this information in advance, and no other agency tracks it.

If you call and the list is closed, ask when CRHA expects to reopen it. Some people call back monthly; others set a reminder to call quarterly. There is no penalty for calling repeatedly to check status.

Documents you will need to bring

CRHA requires proof of identity, income, residency, and household composition. Bring a government-issued ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). For income, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or benefit letters from Social Security, unemployment, or other programs.

For residency, bring a lease, utility bill, or other document showing you live in Rochester. For household composition, bring birth certificates or custody papers for any children, and marriage certificates if applicable. If you are unemployed, bring a letter from your last employer or documentation of job search activity.

CRHA may ask for additional documents depending on your situation — for example, proof of citizenship or a letter explaining a gap in employment. Ask what you need before you visit, because missing documents can delay your process.

What happens after you are on the waiting list

Once you are on a waiting list, CRHA contacts you when a unit or voucher becomes available. For public housing, this can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. For Section 8, the wait is often shorter, but it still varies.

When CRHA calls, they will ask you to come in for an interview and to provide updated documents (income, residency, and household information). At that point, they verify everything again and explain the lease terms. If you do not respond to CRHA's call within a certain timeframe, you may be removed from the list.

Keep your contact information current with CRHA. If you move, change your phone number, or have a new email address, call and update your file. CRHA cannot reach you if your information is outdated, and they will not hold your spot indefinitely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The waiting lists are separate, and you can request to be on both. Some people do this because Section 8 typically moves faster, but public housing rent is usually lower. Being on both lists does not hurt your chances on either one.

What if my income goes up after I am approved?

CRHA will recalculate your rent, which may increase. Your rent is always 30 percent of your income (with a minimum), so if your income rises, your rent rises. You will not be removed from the program, but you will pay more. CRHA recertifies income annually.

Does CRHA help with security deposits or moving costs?

CRHA does not provide moving information or security deposit funds. Some community organizations in Rochester offer emergency information for these costs — ask CRHA staff for referrals, or call 211 (a free helpline) to find local resources.

What if I have an eviction or criminal record?

CRHA considers these factors but does not automatically deny you. Each situation is reviewed individually. Bring documentation explaining the circumstances. Some criminal convictions may disqualify you under federal law, but CRHA can tell you whether your specific record affects your status.

How do I know if CRHA's waiting list has reopened?

Call CRHA directly at their main office number. Waiting list reopenings are not announced on social media or by email — the only reliable way to know is to call. Some people set a calendar reminder to check every month or every quarter.