What the Denver Housing Authority does

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in Denver. It does not create housing policy for the city — that is the city government's role — but it owns and manages public housing buildings, processes voucher applications, and pays landlords on behalf of tenants who hold vouchers. DHA serves Denver proper, not the surrounding metro area.

DHA is separate from the city's Department of Housing Stability, which runs emergency rental information and other rapid-response programs. If you are looking for help with back rent or an eviction notice, you may need both agencies, but they handle different money and different timelines.

Key Takeaways

  • DHA administers public housing (buildings it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rent subsidies you use at a private landlord's property), but not emergency rental information.
  • The Section 8 waiting list in Denver is typically closed and has thousands of names when it opens; you must explore during an open period to get on the list.
  • Public housing and Section 8 have separate waiting lists, separate income limits, and separate process processes.
  • DHA's main office is at 1981 Blake Street, Denver, and you can reach them by phone at 720-944-7996 to ask whether either waiting list is currently open.
  • If you need help with rent you owe right now, contact the city's Department of Housing Stability or call 211, not DHA.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

DHA runs two separate programs. Public housing means you live in a building that DHA owns. You pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and DHA owns the property. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers mean you find a private landlord willing to accept the voucher, and DHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest. The voucher stays with you if you move to a different may have access to property; public housing is tied to a specific building.

Public housing has lower income limits and typically serves households making less than 50 percent of the area median income. Section 8 income limits are higher — usually up to 80 percent of area median income, though DHA prioritizes lower-income households. Both programs have long waiting lists. Neither program is the same as emergency rental information, which covers back rent and is run by a different city department.

How to learn about the waiting list is open

DHA's Section 8 waiting list opens and closes based on how many people are already waiting. When the list is closed, you cannot add your name, even if you meet the income requirements. The list may reopen later in the year or the following year. The only way to know the current status is to contact DHA directly.

Call DHA at 720-944-7996 during business hours and ask whether the Section 8 waiting list is open. You can also visit their office at 1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202. Ask about both the Section 8 list and the public housing list, since they operate independently. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can request notification when it does.

What you need to explore

process requirements vary slightly between public housing and Section 8, but both require proof of income, identity, and residency in Denver. You will typically need a government-issued ID, recent pay stubs or tax returns, and proof that you live in Denver (a utility bill or lease). If you receive benefits like SNAP or SSI, bring documentation of those as well.

For Section 8, you will also need to list any household members and provide their dates of birth and Social Security numbers. DHA will run a background check and verify your income. The process takes several weeks once you submit a complete process. If you are unsure what documents to bring, call DHA before you visit; staff can tell you exactly what to have ready.

Income limits and rent calculations

Income limits change each year and depend on household size. DHA uses the federal area median income for the Denver metro area to set these limits. For Section 8, the limit is typically around 80 percent of area median income, but DHA prioritizes households below 50 percent. For public housing, the limit is usually lower — around 50 percent of area median income or less.

If you are accepted into either program, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If your income changes, you must report it to DHA. Your rent will be recalculated, and you may owe more or less depending on the change. DHA will send you a new lease or voucher paperwork showing the new amount.

What happens after you are on the waiting list

Waiting times vary. The Section 8 list in Denver has been known to have thousands of names, and it can take years to reach the top. Public housing waiting times are typically shorter but still measured in months or years. DHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You must respond within the timeframe they give you, usually a few days to a week.

Once you are selected, you will attend an orientation and sign a lease (for public housing) or receive your voucher packet (for Section 8). For Section 8, you then have a set period — usually 60 to 90 days — to find a landlord who will accept the voucher. If you cannot find a property in that time, you may lose your voucher. DHA staff can point you to landlord lists and resources to help with the search.

Contacting DHA and finding additional resources

DHA's main office is at 1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202. Phone: 720-944-7996. Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also visit in person to ask questions or submit an process if the waiting list is open. Their website is denvergov.org/pocketgov/dha.

If you need emergency help with rent you owe now, do not contact DHA. Instead, reach out to Denver's Department of Housing Stability at 720-913-1999 or call 211 for a referral to emergency rental information. If you are facing eviction, contact the Community Law Center's eviction prevention line or ask 211 for legal aid resources. These are separate from DHA's programs and move much faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are separate, and you can be on both lists. If you are selected from one list before the other, you will need to decide whether to accept that offer or stay on the other list. Once you accept housing or a voucher from DHA, you are removed from any other DHA waiting lists.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

DHA does conduct background checks and may deny you based on criminal history or prior evictions, but the decision depends on the specifics. Some offenses and some evictions result in automatic denial; others are reviewed case by case. Call DHA before you explore to ask whether your situation would likely disqualify you, or explore and ask for a hearing if you are denied.

Do I have to live in Denver to get on the waiting list?

Yes. DHA only serves Denver proper. You must be a Denver resident to explore. If you live in a suburb or nearby county, you would need to contact that area's housing authority instead. Call 211 to find the housing authority that serves your location.

What if the waiting list is closed and I need housing now?

Contact the Department of Housing Stability at 720-913-1999 or call 211 to learn about rapid rehousing, emergency rental information, or other programs that may help you find housing faster. These programs have different may be able to access rules and timelines than DHA's waiting lists.

Can DHA help me if I am behind on rent?

No. DHA does not run emergency rental information. If you owe back rent, contact Denver's Department of Housing Stability at 720-913-1999 or call 211. Those programs are designed to pay landlords for rent you already owe and can move faster than DHA's housing programs.