What the Daytona Beach Housing Authority does

The Daytona Beach Housing Authority (DBHA) is a local government agency that owns and operates public housing in Volusia County, Florida. It manages rental properties for low-income residents, administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and handles public housing waitlists. The Authority does not set state or federal housing law — it carries out programs created by those governments — but it makes decisions about who lives in its properties, how much rent residents pay, and which maintenance issues get fixed first.

DBHA serves Daytona Beach proper and surrounding areas of Volusia County. If you live outside that geography, you would contact a different housing authority. The agency's main office is located in Daytona Beach, and that is where you go to explore for housing, report maintenance problems, or ask about your lease.

Key Takeaways

  • The Daytona Beach Housing Authority runs public housing and Section 8 vouchers; you explore directly to DBHA, not to a state or federal office.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn, and DBHA reviews your income annually.
  • Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord, but the landlord must pass DBHA inspection and agree to the program rules.
  • Waitlists for both public housing and Section 8 are often closed or have long delays; contact DBHA directly to learn the current status.
  • If you have a maintenance problem, report it in writing to DBHA and keep a copy; serious issues like no heat or water have legal timelines for repair.

Public housing managed by DBHA

DBHA owns apartment buildings and townhouses that it rents to low-income households. These are not temporary shelters — they are permanent rental homes where residents can live for years. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, or the minimum rent set by DBHA, whichever is higher. The minimum rent varies but is typically between $50 and $100 per month. You pay DBHA directly, and DBHA is responsible for maintenance, utilities included in your lease, and common area upkeep.

To live in DBHA public housing, you must meet income limits set by the federal government. These limits change yearly and depend on family size. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four. You must also pass a background check and provide proof of income. DBHA reviews your income once a year, and if your earnings rise above the limit, your rent increases but you are not evicted — you can stay and pay the higher amount until your income drops again or you choose to leave.

DBHA maintains a waitlist for public housing. The list is often closed, meaning DBHA is not taking new names. When it opens, you can request an process. Wait times vary from months to years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. Contact DBHA to ask whether the waitlist is open and what the current wait time is.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from a private landlord instead of living in DBHA-owned housing. DBHA gives you the voucher, you find a rental property on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and DBHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference between what DBHA pays and what the landlord charges, usually 30 percent of your income.

Not every landlord accepts Section 8. The property must pass a DBHA inspection covering safety, sanitation, and basic living standards. The landlord must sign a contract with DBHA agreeing to the program rules, which include limits on how much rent they can charge and requirements to maintain the unit. If a landlord refuses to rent to you because you have a voucher, that is illegal under federal law, but you still need to find a landlord willing to participate.

The Section 8 waitlist is also often closed. When it is open, the wait to receive a voucher can be several years. Once you have a voucher, you have a limited time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property and have it inspected. If you do not find a place in that window, you may lose the voucher.

How to contact DBHA and explore

The Daytona Beach Housing Authority office is located at 1620 Bellevue Avenue, Daytona Beach, Florida 32114. You can visit in person during business hours to ask about waitlist status, request an process, or report a maintenance issue. Phone the main office to confirm hours and ask specific questions about your situation.

Applications for public housing and Section 8 are separate. You can be on both waitlists at the same time. When you explore, bring proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), a photo ID, and proof of residency in Volusia County. DBHA will tell you what other documents you need based on your situation.

If you are currently a DBHA resident and need to report a maintenance problem, submit a work order in writing or through DBHA's online portal if available. Keep a copy for your records. For emergencies like no heat in winter or no water, call DBHA when ready and follow up in writing the same day.

Income limits and rent calculation

DBHA uses federal income limits to determine who can live in public housing or receive a Section 8 voucher. These limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and change each year. For 2024, the limits in Volusia County vary by family size — a single person has a lower limit than a family of four, and larger families have higher limits.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money you receive. It does not include one-time payments or certain benefits like food stamps. DBHA counts your gross income before taxes. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns and possibly a profit-and-loss statement.

Once you are approved and living in DBHA housing, your rent is recalculated annually based on your current income. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If your income drops, your rent drops. You must report income changes to DBHA within 30 days, or you may owe back rent if the change is discovered later.

Lease terms and tenant responsibilities

When you sign a lease with DBHA, you agree to maintain the unit in good condition, pay rent on time, follow community rules, and allow DBHA to inspect the property. DBHA can evict you for non-payment of rent, lease violations (such as unauthorized occupants or criminal activity), or damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear. Eviction is a court process; DBHA must file in court and give you a chance to respond before a judge orders you out.

You have the right to a safe, habitable home. DBHA must make repairs to structural problems, plumbing, electrical systems, heating, and cooling within legal timeframes. In Florida, major repairs like no heat or no water must be addressed within 24 to 48 hours depending on the season. If DBHA does not make repairs, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or pursue a rent abatement claim in court.

When the waitlist is closed or the wait is very long

If DBHA's waitlist is closed or the wait is years long, you have other options. Contact 211 Volusia County (dial 211 or visit 211.org) to learn about emergency rental information, rapid rehousing programs, or nonprofits that help with deposits and first month's rent. Some employers and community organizations also offer housing support.

You can also explore private rental market options. Many landlords rent to low-income tenants without requiring a voucher. Use websites like Zillow, Apartments.com, or Craigslist, and call landlords directly. Be prepared to provide references, proof of income, and a completed rental process. Some landlords charge process fees; do not pay until you have seen the property and confirmed the landlord is legitimate.

If you are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of losing your home, contact the Volusia County homeless services coordinator or a local shelter to learn about emergency housing and case management services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for public housing or Section 8?

Once you submit an process, DBHA typically takes 30 to 60 days to process it and notify you of approval or denial. However, approval does not mean you move in when ready — you then go on the waitlist for an available unit or voucher. The waitlist wait can be months to years. Contact DBHA to ask the current average wait time for your family size.

Can I be evicted if my income goes above the limit?

No. If your income rises above the federal limit, you stay in your home and your rent increases. You can remain as long as you pay rent and follow the lease. However, you will no longer be may be able to access for a new voucher or unit if you move, so your housing subsidy ends if you leave.

What happens if I report a maintenance problem and DBHA does not fix it?

Keep written records of every report you make, including the date and what you reported. If the repair is urgent (no heat, no water, broken locks), call DBHA and follow up in writing the same day. If DBHA does not respond within the legal timeframe, you can file a complaint with the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation or contact a legal aid organization about your options.

Can a landlord refuse to rent to me because I have a Section 8 voucher?

No, that is illegal under federal fair housing law. However, the landlord can require the unit to pass DBHA inspection and can set rent within DBHA limits. If a landlord refuses you, document the refusal and report it to DBHA or to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

What if I lose my job and cannot pay rent?

Report the change to DBHA when ready. Your rent will be recalculated based on your new income, which may be zero if you are unemployed. DBHA will work with you on a payment plan. If you fall behind, DBHA can file for eviction, but you have a right to a court hearing. Contact a legal aid organization or 211 to learn about emergency rental information or job training programs.