What the Dayton Housing Authority does

The Dayton Housing Authority (DHA) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing in Montgomery County, Ohio, and runs the Section 8 voucher program for the Dayton area. It does not build or finance housing for private landlords — it either owns the buildings directly or helps tenants pay rent to private landlords through vouchers. If you live in Dayton or nearby unincorporated areas of Montgomery County and need affordable housing, DHA is the body that administers the programs available to you.

DHA operates two main programs: public housing (where DHA owns the building and you pay rent to DHA) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8 (where you find a private landlord willing to accept the voucher, and DHA pays a portion of your rent directly to that landlord). Both programs have waiting lists, and both have income limits that vary by household size.

Key Takeaways

  • DHA runs public housing and Section 8 vouchers in the Dayton area; you contact DHA directly to learn about either program.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that can be years long, and both require your household income to fall below a set limit based on family size.
  • Section 8 vouchers let you choose your own apartment from a private landlord, while public housing means living in a DHA-owned building.
  • You can contact DHA by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about current waiting list status and what documents you will need.
  • DHA also administers emergency rental information and other programs funded by federal grants, though availability changes as funding runs out.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

In public housing, DHA owns the apartment building. You sign a lease with DHA, pay rent to DHA, and DHA is responsible for maintenance and repairs. The rent you pay is based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though DHA's lease sets the exact formula. Public housing is concentrated in specific neighborhoods; DHA's portfolio includes family apartments, senior buildings, and mixed communities.

In the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, you find an apartment from any private landlord willing to accept the voucher. DHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent (the "subsidy"), and you pay the difference out of pocket. You keep the voucher as long as you meet the program rules — you stay employed or in school, you do not earn above the income limit, and you maintain the apartment in decent condition. You can move to a different apartment and take the voucher with you, as long as the new landlord agrees to participate.

Section 8 gives you more choice of where to live, but you have to find a landlord who will accept it — not all do. Public housing is easier in that sense (no landlord to convince), but you have less choice of location and unit type, and you must follow DHA's lease terms exactly.

Income limits and waiting lists

Both programs have income limits based on the area median income for Montgomery County. A household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. DHA publishes these limits each year; they change slightly year to year. You must be at or below the limit to be considered, and your income is verified using tax returns, pay stubs, and other documents.

Both programs also have waiting lists. The wait time varies. For public housing, DHA maintains a single waiting list; for Section 8, there is a separate waiting list. Wait times can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. DHA can tell you the current wait time when you contact them, though that estimate can change.

DHA may close a waiting list temporarily when it becomes very long, then reopen it later. You can call DHA to ask whether the list is currently open and how long the current wait is.

How to contact the Dayton Housing Authority

DHA's main office is located at 1401 South Edwin C. Moses Boulevard, Dayton, Ohio 45417. You can reach them by phone at (937) 333-6000 during business hours. They also accept mail inquiries and have a website where you can find additional information about programs and current policies.

When you call or visit, have your household information ready: the number of people in your household, your current income, and your current housing situation (whether you are renting, homeless, or living with family). DHA staff can tell you whether you likely meet the income limit, what the current waiting list status is, and what documents you will need to bring if you decide to explore.

DHA also has satellite offices in some neighborhoods. Call the main number to ask whether there is an office closer to you.

Documents you will need

To explore for either public housing or Section 8, you will need to prove your identity, income, and household composition. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), recent pay stubs or tax returns showing your income, and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease in your name). If you have a disability or are over 62, bring documentation of that as well, since some programs have preferences for elderly and disabled households.

If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, DHA can work with you without a current address. Bring whatever ID you have and ask DHA staff what alternative documents they will accept.

DHA will also run a background check and verify your rental history. If you have an eviction on your record, you may still be able to explore, but DHA will review the circumstances. Ask DHA directly whether your situation will disqualify you before you spend time gathering documents.

Other programs DHA administers

Beyond public housing and Section 8, DHA administers emergency rental information and other federal grant programs. These programs help people who have fallen behind on rent due to job loss, illness, or other hardship. Funding for these programs comes from federal grants and changes year to year — some programs run out of money and reopen later, while others may end entirely.

Call DHA to ask what emergency or temporary information programs are currently available. DHA can tell you whether you meet the income and hardship requirements and what the current wait or processing time is.

What happens after you explore

After you submit an process, DHA will verify your information — income, identity, household size, and background. This takes time, usually several weeks. DHA will contact you if they need additional documents or clarification.

If you are approved, you go on the waiting list. For public housing, you wait for a unit in a building that matches your household size and needs. For Section 8, you receive a voucher and have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment and a landlord willing to accept it. If you do not find one in that time, you may lose the voucher, though you can ask DHA for an extension in some cases.

Once you are housed — either in a public housing unit or with a Section 8 voucher — you must follow the lease and program rules. DHA conducts annual inspections of public housing units and Section 8 apartments to make sure they meet housing quality standards. Rent is due on the date specified in your lease, and late payment can result in eviction proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or Section 8 in Dayton?

Wait times vary and change as units become available and new people explore. Call DHA at (937) 333-6000 to ask the current wait time for the program you are interested in. They can give you a rough estimate based on how many people are ahead of you.

Can I explore if I have an eviction on my record?

It depends on how recent it was and the circumstances. DHA reviews each case individually. Call and ask whether your situation will disqualify you before you explore — DHA staff can give you a straight answer based on their current policy.

What is the income limit for DHA programs?

Income limits are set each year based on the area median income for Montgomery County and vary by household size. Call DHA to ask the current limit for your household size, or visit their website where limits are usually posted.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher in a different city?

Section 8 vouchers are tied to the Dayton Housing Authority's jurisdiction, which covers Dayton and parts of Montgomery County. You cannot use a DHA voucher in a different city or county. If you move out of the area, you would lose the voucher.

What if I cannot afford the rent while I wait for housing?

DHA administers emergency rental information when funding is available. Call to ask whether the program is currently open and whether you meet the requirements. You can also contact 211 (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211.org) to learn about other local information programs.