What the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority does

The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) is a public agency that runs public housing, Section 8 vouchers, and other rental information programs in Franklin County, Ohio. It does not build or own most of the housing — it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it manages public housing properties where CMHA itself is the landlord. If you live in or near Columbus and need help paying rent, CMHA is usually the first place to contact because it administers the largest rental information programs in the area.

CMHA is separate from the City of Columbus government, though it receives some city funding. It answers to a board of commissioners and operates under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3735. The agency's main office is at 879 West Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43223, and it has satellite offices in other parts of the county.

Key Takeaways

  • CMHA runs Section 8 vouchers (tenant-based information you can use at any landlord who accepts it) and public housing (CMHA-owned units), plus emergency rental information when funding is available.
  • To reach CMHA, call 614-421-3000 during business hours or visit the main office in person; wait times for phone lines are often long, so email or in-person visits may be faster.
  • Income limits for CMHA programs are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and vary by family size; a single person's limit is typically around $35,000 to $40,000 annually, but this changes yearly.
  • Section 8 vouchers have a waiting list that is usually closed; when it opens, CMHA announces it on its website and through local nonprofits, and the list fills within days or weeks.
  • Public housing has its own waiting list, which is also often closed; CMHA prioritizes applicants who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or living in substandard housing.

Section 8 vouchers and how the waiting list works

A Section 8 voucher is a rent subsidy that CMHA pays directly to your landlord. You find your own apartment at any price, but you pay only a percentage of your income (usually 30 percent) and CMHA pays the rest, up to a limit called the "payment standard." The payment standard for a one-bedroom in Columbus is set by HUD and changes annually; in recent years it has ranged from roughly $900 to $1,100 per month, but you should confirm the current amount with CMHA.

The Section 8 waiting list in Franklin County is usually closed. When CMHA opens it, the agency announces the opening on its website (cmha.net), through local housing nonprofits, and sometimes through social media. The list typically fills within a few days to a few weeks. If you miss the opening, you must wait until the next one, which may not happen for months or years. There is no way to be notified automatically, so checking the CMHA website regularly or calling 614-421-3000 to ask when the list might open again is necessary.

Once you are on the waiting list, CMHA prioritizes applicants based on local preference categories. These usually include people who work in Franklin County, people who live in the county, and people experiencing homelessness. The wait from the time you are selected from the list to the time you receive a voucher can be months to years, depending on how many people are ahead of you.

Public housing and CMHA-owned units

CMHA owns and manages roughly 3,000 public housing units across Franklin County, ranging from single-family homes to apartment complexes. Public housing rent is also based on 30 percent of your income, with no payment standard cap — you pay 30 percent of what you earn, period. This can make public housing cheaper than Section 8 if your income is very low, but the units themselves are older and maintenance can be slow.

The public housing waiting list is also usually closed. When it opens, CMHA prioritizes people who are homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or living in housing that fails to meet health and safety codes. After those groups, CMHA accepts applications from anyone who meets the income limit. Like the Section 8 list, there is no automatic notification, so you must check the website or call to learn when applications are being taken.

Once accepted into public housing, you sign a lease with CMHA as your landlord. CMHA can evict you for lease violations just as a private landlord can, and the process follows Ohio law. If you have questions about your lease or a maintenance issue, contact your local CMHA property office or call the main number.

Emergency rental information and other programs

CMHA sometimes administers emergency rental information funds when the state or federal government provides them. These programs pay back rent or upcoming rent directly to landlords and are usually open only to people who have lost income due to a specific hardship — job loss, illness, eviction notice, or similar. The rules, income limits, and process process change depending on which fund is available.

To find out whether emergency rental information is currently open, call CMHA at 614-421-3000 and ask. You can also check the website or contact a local nonprofit like Community Development for All People (CDAP) or the Community Shelter Board, which sometimes help people navigate CMHA programs and other resources.

CMHA also administers the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, which pairs Section 8 or public housing with case management and job training to help people move toward financial independence. If you are already receiving Section 8 or public housing, you can ask whether FSS is available in your area.

Income limits and how they are calculated

CMHA uses Area Median Income (AMI), set by HUD, to determine who can receive information. Most CMHA programs serve people at or below 80 percent of AMI. For Franklin County, 80 percent AMI is roughly $65,000 for a family of four, but this figure changes every year in March. A single person's limit is typically around 50 percent of AMI, or roughly $35,000 to $40,000 annually.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and other regular payments. CMHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify income. Assets above a certain threshold (currently $5,000 in liquid assets) may also count toward income, though the rules are complex and vary by program.

If your income is above the limit, you do not meet CMHA's requirements. There is no appeal of the income limit itself, though you can ask CMHA to recalculate if you believe they made an error in how they counted your income.

How to contact CMHA and what documents to bring

The main CMHA office is at 879 West Mound Street, Columbus, OH 43223. Phone lines are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 614-421-3000. Wait times are often 30 minutes to over an hour. If you cannot reach someone by phone, visiting in person or sending an email through the website may be faster.

When you contact CMHA, have ready: a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency (utility bill or lease), and information about any dependents. If you are explore for emergency rental information, also bring your lease, proof of the hardship, and landlord contact information. CMHA will tell you what else is needed once you start the process.

If you speak a language other than English, call ahead and ask whether an interpreter is available. CMHA is required to provide interpretation services at no cost to you.

What happens after you explore

For Section 8 or public housing, after you submit an process, CMHA will verify your income and background. The agency runs a criminal background check and checks your rental history. If you have an eviction judgment on your record, you may be denied, though CMHA has some discretion to overlook old or minor issues. The verification process takes weeks to months.

Once verified, you go on the waiting list. There is no set timeline for how long you wait — it depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers or units become available. CMHA will contact you when it is your turn, usually by phone or mail.

For emergency rental information, the timeline is faster — usually two to six weeks from process to payment — because the funds are meant to prevent when ready eviction. CMHA will contact your landlord to confirm the amount owed and process the payment directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Yes. The two waiting lists are separate, and being on one does not affect your place on the other. Many people explore to both because they do not know which will become available first. If you are selected for one program before the other, you can usually stay on the second list or remove yourself.

What if I have a criminal record or an eviction on my record?

CMHA will not automatically deny you, but it will review your history. Violent felonies, drug convictions, and recent evictions are more likely to result in denial. You can explain your situation when you explore — CMHA considers context and how long ago the incident occurred. If denied, ask CMHA in writing what the reason was and whether you can appeal.

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher after I am selected from the waiting list?

Once selected, CMHA must issue the voucher within 60 days, though in practice it often takes longer due to staff capacity. After you receive the voucher, you have 60 days to find an apartment and have the landlord sign the lease. If you cannot find one in time, you can ask for an extension.

What if I move out of Franklin County while on the waiting list?

If you move outside Franklin County, you will be removed from CMHA's waiting list. If you move to another county in Ohio, you can explore to that county's housing authority, but you will start at the back of their waiting list. If you move back to Franklin County later, you can reapply to CMHA.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher at any apartment?

No. The landlord must agree to accept Section 8, and the apartment must pass a CMHA inspection for health and safety. Not all landlords accept vouchers. CMHA can provide a list of landlords who do, or you can search on your own and ask the landlord whether they participate in the program.