What the Cleveland Housing Authority does

The Cleveland Housing Authority (CHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and Section 8 voucher programs in Cleveland, Ohio. It does not provide emergency information or one-time grants. Instead, it manages long-term rental programs where you pay a portion of your rent based on your income, and the program covers the rest.

CHA operates two main programs: public housing (where CHA owns the building) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8 (where you find a private landlord and the voucher subsidizes your rent). Both require you to meet income limits and pass a background check. Both have waiting lists that can be years long.

CHA's main office is located at 2851 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. You can reach them by phone at 216-432-2000. Their website is cuyahogamha.org — note that this is the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority, which serves Cleveland and surrounding areas.

Key Takeaways

  • CHA runs two separate programs: public housing (where CHA owns the building) and Section 8 vouchers (where you rent from a private landlord).
  • Both programs require your household income to fall below 80 percent of the area median income, and both have waiting lists that typically last one to three years.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access immigrant, have a valid Social Security number, and pass a criminal background check and rental history review.
  • To get on a waiting list, you must explore in person at CHA's office during open process periods, which do not happen year-round.
  • If you need help paying rent right now, CHA is not the right resource — contact your local 211 service or your city's emergency rental information program instead.

Income limits and household size

CHA uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. Your household must earn no more than 80 percent of AMI for your household size. For Cleveland, this means a single person can earn roughly $52,000 per year and a family of four can earn roughly $74,000 per year, though these figures change annually.

Income includes wages, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other regular money coming into your household. It does not include one-time payments, tax refunds, or money from selling an asset. CHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to verify income.

If your income is above the limit when you explore, you cannot get on the waiting list. If your income rises after you are accepted into a program, CHA will not remove you, but your rent portion will increase.

Public housing vs. Section 8 vouchers

Public housing means you rent an apartment or house that CHA owns. CHA sets the rules for the building, handles maintenance, and collects rent directly from you. Your rent is typically 30 percent of your household income. Public housing units are scattered throughout Cleveland, and the waiting list is usually two to three years.

Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own apartment from a private landlord, and the voucher pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest (usually 30 percent of your income). You have more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and the landlord must pass CHA's inspection. The Section 8 waiting list is often longer — sometimes three to five years — and CHA periodically closes it when it becomes too long.

Both programs require you to recertify your income and household composition every year. Both allow you to stay as long as you meet the rules and pay your portion of rent on time.

Who can explore and what you need

To be considered for either CHA program, you must meet all of these requirements:

  • Be at least 18 years old (or the head of a household with a child).
  • Be a U.S. citizen, national, or may be able to access immigrant with a valid Social Security number.
  • Have a household income at or below 80 percent of area median income.
  • Pass a criminal background check (some convictions disqualify you; others do not).
  • Have a rental history that shows you paid rent on time and did not damage previous units.

When you explore, bring photo identification, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and a Social Security card or letter from Social Security. If you have been evicted or have an eviction case pending, tell CHA — it does not automatically disqualify you, but they will review the circumstances.

CHA does not charge an process fee. Applications are only accepted during open periods, which CHA announces on its website and by phone. You must explore in person at the main office; CHA does not accept applications by mail or online.

How waiting lists work and how long they take

Once you are approved and placed on a waiting list, CHA contacts you when a unit becomes available. The order depends on your preference category — for example, if you are homeless or living in substandard housing, you may move up the list faster. CHA will explain your category when you explore.

Waiting times vary. Public housing waiting lists in Cleveland are typically two to three years. Section 8 waiting lists are often longer and sometimes closed. CHA's website shows current waiting list status and estimated wait times.

While you are on the waiting list, you must keep your contact information current with CHA. If CHA calls and you do not answer or respond within a set time (usually 10 days), you may be removed from the list. If your income or household changes, report it to CHA in writing.

What happens after you are offered a unit

When CHA offers you a unit, you have a limited time to view it and decide whether to accept. If you refuse without good cause, you may be removed from the waiting list or moved to the back. If you accept, you sign a lease with CHA (for public housing) or with the private landlord (for Section 8).

Before you move in, CHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. For Section 8, the landlord must pass inspection before you can move in. For public housing, CHA handles maintenance and repairs.

Once you move in, you pay your portion of rent each month. Your rent is recalculated every year based on your income. If you fall behind on rent, CHA can begin eviction proceedings. If you damage the unit beyond normal wear, you may be charged for repairs.

How to contact CHA and find current information

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (which serves Cleveland) is located at 2851 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115. Phone: 216-432-2000. Website: cuyahogamha.org.

Call to ask whether applications are currently open, what the current waiting list status is, and whether you meet the basic income and citizenship requirements before you go in person. CHA staff can also tell you whether a criminal conviction or eviction history will disqualify you.

If you need emergency rent help right now, do not wait for CHA. Contact your city's emergency rental information program or call 211 to find when ready resources. CHA programs are for long-term housing, not crisis situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists simultaneously. When a unit is offered to you, you can accept it and be removed from the other list, or you can decline and stay on both lists. Some people accept public housing while waiting for a Section 8 voucher, or vice versa.

What disqualifies you from CHA housing?

A felony conviction for drug manufacturing or distribution within the past 10 years will disqualify you. Other criminal convictions are reviewed case-by-case. Owing money to another housing authority or being evicted for lease violations can also disqualify you. CHA will explain what they found during your background check.

What if my income goes above the limit after I move in?

You will not be evicted. Instead, your rent portion will increase, and CHA may eventually ask you to leave the program if your income stays too high for a set period (usually two years). You will be given notice and time to find other housing.

How do I know if the waiting list is open?

Call CHA at 216-432-2000 or check their website at cuyahogamha.org. They announce when applications are being accepted. Waiting lists close when they become too long and reopen when units become available or funding increases.

Can I transfer to a different unit if I am already in CHA housing?

Yes, but you must request a transfer through CHA and wait for a unit to become available in your preferred location. Transfers are not may provide and follow the same waiting list process as new applicants.