What the Columbus Housing Authority does

The Columbus Housing Authority (CHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages public housing in Franklin County, Ohio, and runs the Section 8 voucher program for the area. It does not build or finance homes for private purchase — it owns the buildings where tenants live and subsidizes rent for low-income households through federal funding. If you live in CHA housing or hold a Section 8 voucher from CHA, the agency is your landlord or your rent subsidy administrator.

CHA operates roughly 3,000 public housing units across Columbus and manages thousands of Section 8 vouchers that work with private landlords. The agency also runs supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness and administers emergency rental information when federal funding is available. Your interaction with CHA depends entirely on which program you use.

Key Takeaways

  • The Columbus Housing Authority manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers; it is a local agency, not a federal office.
  • Public housing is owned and operated by CHA; Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord while CHA pays part of your rent.
  • CHA maintains a waitlist for both public housing and Section 8 vouchers, and waitlists can be closed or have long wait times depending on current demand.
  • You can contact CHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about current programs and waitlist status.
  • CHA also administers emergency rental information and supportive housing programs when funding is available through federal or state grants.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

CHA owns and manages public housing — apartment buildings and scattered units where CHA is the landlord. You pay rent based on your income, typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and CHA covers the rest from federal subsidies. Public housing is permanent; once you move in, you can stay as long as you meet lease terms and income limits.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. CHA gives you a voucher that subsidizes rent at a private landlord's property. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and CHA pays the landlord a portion of rent while you pay the rest. You have more choice in where you live, but you depend on finding a landlord willing to participate in the program. Both programs require income below a certain threshold — the limit varies by household size and changes yearly.

CHA maintains separate waitlists for public housing and Section 8 vouchers. Both waitlists can be closed when demand is very high, and wait times can stretch from months to several years depending on how many vouchers or units are available. You can call CHA to ask whether each waitlist is currently open and what the typical wait time is.

How to contact the Columbus Housing Authority

CHA's main office is located at 879 West Mound Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223. You can reach them by phone at (614) 421-3600 during business hours. The agency also has a website where you can find information about programs, read forms, and sometimes submit questions online.

If you are already a CHA tenant or voucher holder, you can contact your property manager or case manager directly for maintenance requests, lease questions, or program-related issues. New applicants should call the main number to ask about waitlist status and what documents you will need to submit an process.

CHA also partners with community organizations and social service agencies throughout Columbus. If you are working with a caseworker, counselor, or nonprofit, they may be able to help you understand your options or connect you with CHA programs.

Income limits and who can explore

Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers have income limits based on the area median income for Franklin County. A household's income must fall below a certain percentage of that median — usually 50 to 80 percent depending on the program. CHA counts income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular sources.

Income limits change every year and vary by household size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. CHA publishes current income limits on its website and can tell you over the phone whether your household income falls within the range. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program.

CHA also considers criminal history, prior evictions, and lease violations when reviewing applications. Each case is reviewed individually, and past issues do not automatically disqualify you, but CHA will ask about them. You should be honest on your process about your housing history.

The process and waitlist process

To explore for public housing or Section 8 vouchers, you submit an process to CHA with proof of income, identification, and household information. CHA will verify your income by contacting employers or reviewing tax returns and benefit statements. The process typically takes several weeks.

Once your process is approved, you go on the waitlist. The waitlist is usually first-come, first-served, though some programs prioritize households with specific needs — such as people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities. CHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, but this can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you.

While you are on the waitlist, your circumstances may change — your income might increase, you might move out of the area, or your family size might change. You are responsible for keeping CHA informed of changes. If you do not respond when CHA contacts you about a unit or voucher, you may be removed from the waitlist.

Emergency rental information and other CHA programs

Beyond public housing and Section 8 vouchers, CHA administers emergency rental information when federal or state funding is available. These programs help people who have fallen behind on rent or are at risk of eviction. may be able to access and process processes vary depending on which fund is open and how much money is available. CHA's website or main phone line can tell you whether an emergency rental information program is currently accepting applications.

CHA also runs supportive housing programs for people experiencing homelessness, often in partnership with social service agencies. These programs combine housing with case management, mental health services, or substance abuse treatment. Referrals usually come through homeless services providers or outreach workers rather than direct process.

Maintenance, lease issues, and tenant rights

If you live in CHA public housing, maintenance requests go to your property manager or through CHA's maintenance line. CHA is responsible for keeping units safe and habitable — that includes heat, water, plumbing, and structural repairs. If CHA does not make repairs within a reasonable time, you have rights under your lease and Ohio law to withhold rent or request a rent reduction, but you should document the problem and notify CHA in writing first.

Your lease with CHA spells out your responsibilities as a tenant and CHA's responsibilities as a landlord. Lease violations — such as non-payment of rent, unauthorized occupants, or damage beyond normal wear — can result in eviction. CHA must follow Ohio eviction law and give you notice and an opportunity to cure the violation before filing in court.

If you hold a Section 8 voucher, your lease is with the private landlord, not CHA. CHA's role is to inspect the unit, approve the lease, and pay the landlord's portion of rent. Disputes between you and the landlord are handled under your lease and Ohio tenant law, though CHA can remove a landlord from the program if they violate program rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waitlist for public housing or Section 8 vouchers in Columbus?

Wait times vary and change frequently depending on how many units or vouchers are available and how many people are on the list. Call CHA at (614) 421-3600 to ask the current wait time for each program. Some people wait months; others wait years. If the waitlist is closed, CHA will tell you when it may reopen.

What if my income is too high for public housing but I still need help paying rent?

If you earn above the income limit, you do not may have access to for CHA's programs. You may be able to find affordable housing through private landlords, nonprofit housing organizations, or other local programs. Contact 211 (dial 2-1-1) to learn about other housing resources in Columbus that may not have income limits or have higher limits.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waitlists and applications. You can explore to both and wait for whichever becomes available first. Let CHA know if your circumstances change while you are waiting — such as a change in income or household size — because it may affect your status on either list.

What happens if I get a Section 8 voucher but cannot find a landlord who accepts it?

Finding a landlord can be difficult in tight rental markets. CHA can provide a list of landlords who have participated in the program before, and some nonprofit organizations help voucher holders search for housing. If you cannot find a unit within your voucher's time limit, CHA may extend the search period or you may lose the voucher. Ask your CHA caseworker about search extensions and landlord recruitment resources.

Do I have to move out if my income goes above the limit?

Income limits explore at the time you move in and during recertification. If your income rises above the limit, CHA will typically allow you to stay but may increase your rent contribution. The exact rules depend on your lease and CHA policy. Contact your property manager or caseworker to understand how an income increase affects your housing.