What the Detroit Housing Authority does

The Detroit Housing Authority (DHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in Detroit and runs the Section 8 voucher program for the city. It does not build new housing or provide money directly to residents — instead, it owns apartment buildings where tenants pay rent based on their income, and it distributes vouchers that let low-income renters use them at privately owned apartments throughout the region.

DHA serves roughly 50,000 people across its public housing units and Section 8 program combined. The agency is independent from the city government, though it receives federal funding and must follow federal housing rules. If you live in a DHA building or hold a DHA voucher, DHA is your landlord or your voucher administrator — they handle maintenance requests, lease enforcement, and rent calculations.

Key Takeaways

  • DHA owns public housing buildings where rent is based on your income, typically 30 percent of what you earn.
  • DHA also administers Section 8 vouchers that work at privately owned apartments, and the waiting list for vouchers is currently closed to new applicants.
  • To reach DHA about maintenance, rent disputes, or voucher questions, you contact them directly — they are your landlord or voucher holder, not a referral service.
  • DHA public housing has income limits; Section 8 vouchers are for households earning 50 percent or less of the area median income.
  • If you are on the waiting list, DHA will contact you by mail or phone when a unit or voucher becomes available — you do not need to call repeatedly to check status.

DHA public housing buildings and rent calculation

DHA owns apartment complexes throughout Detroit where residents live in units owned by the authority. Rent in these buildings is calculated as 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, with a minimum rent that varies by building. This means your rent goes down if your income drops and up if your income rises — DHA recertifies income annually or when you report a significant change.

To move into DHA public housing, your household income must fall below the limit set by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) for Detroit. That limit changes yearly and depends on household size. You also must pass a background check and meet lease requirements, which include no recent evictions and no active criminal cases involving drugs or violence.

DHA public housing waiting lists are typically open, though some buildings have longer waits than others. When you are accepted, DHA assigns you to an available unit — you do not choose the building or neighborhood. Once you move in, you stay on DHA's lease as long as you pay rent on time and follow the lease terms.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work

A Section 8 voucher is a document that lets you rent a privately owned apartment and have DHA pay part of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and bedroom size, set by HUD each year.

To use a Section 8 voucher, you find an apartment on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and DHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. Once approved, DHA pays the landlord their portion and you pay your share. If rent rises, your share may rise too, depending on the lease and DHA rules.

The Section 8 waiting list in Detroit is currently closed, meaning DHA is not accepting new applications. The list opens and closes based on funding and the number of active vouchers. When it does open, DHA announces it publicly and sets an process window — typically a few weeks. You must explore during that window to get on the list.

How to contact DHA and report problems

DHA's main office is located at 2600 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Detroit. You can reach them by phone at (313) 628-2451 during business hours, Monday through Friday. For specific issues — maintenance emergencies, rent disputes, or voucher questions — ask to be transferred to the right department when you call.

If you live in a DHA building and have a maintenance problem, report it to your building's management office first. If the problem is not fixed within a reasonable time, you can file a formal complaint with DHA's central office. For Section 8 voucher holders, contact the voucher program directly with questions about your voucher amount, lease approval, or inspections.

DHA also has a website at detroithousing.org where you can find information about current programs, building locations, and how the process works when waiting lists open. The site includes contact information for specific departments and sometimes posts updates about process windows or program changes.

Income limits and who can live in DHA housing

DHA public housing is for households earning below the HUD income limit for Detroit. That limit varies by household size and is adjusted annually. A single person's limit is lower than a family of four's limit. You must report your income honestly when you explore and during annual recertification — DHA verifies income through tax returns, pay stubs, and other documents.

If your income rises above the limit after you move in, you do not have to leave when ready. DHA has "income limits at entry" rules, meaning you can stay even if your income later exceeds the limit. However, your rent will be recalculated based on your new income, and you will pay more.

Section 8 vouchers are for households earning 50 percent or less of the area median income for Detroit. This is a stricter limit than public housing. Once you have a voucher, you keep it even if your income rises, though your rent share may increase.

Waiting lists and how long they take

DHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Section 8 vouchers. Public housing lists are usually open, but wait times vary widely depending on the building and the number of available units. Some buildings have waits of several months; others may have longer delays. DHA does not publish exact wait times because they change constantly.

When a unit becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list, DHA contacts you by mail or phone. You have a limited time to respond — usually 10 days — or you lose your place and go to the back of the list. If you accept the offer, you move through lease signing and move-in within a few weeks.

For Section 8, the process is similar once the list opens. You explore during the process window, DHA places you on the waiting list in the order applications were received, and they contact you when a voucher is available. The wait can be years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers DHA receives.

What happens if you have a lease violation or dispute

If you break the terms of your DHA lease — by not paying rent, causing damage, or violating house rules — DHA can start eviction proceedings. DHA must give you written notice and a chance to fix the problem before filing in court. For non-payment of rent, you typically have a few days to pay or move out. For other violations, the timeline depends on the severity.

If you disagree with DHA's decision to evict or with how your rent was calculated, you have the right to a hearing before an independent officer. Request the hearing in writing within the time frame DHA gives you. At the hearing, you can present your side of the story and bring documents or witnesses. The hearing officer's decision is binding unless you appeal to a higher level within DHA.

If you are facing eviction, contact DHA's office when ready to discuss your options. Some situations — like temporary job loss or a medical emergency — may may have access to you for a payment plan or other accommodation. DHA is required to work with you if you are making a good-faith effort to resolve the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I explore for DHA public housing or a Section 8 voucher?

For public housing, visit detroithousing.org or call (313) 628-2451 to ask where to submit an process. Most applications are taken at DHA's main office or by mail. For Section 8, you can only explore when the waiting list is open, which DHA announces on its website and through local media. Check the website regularly or call to find out when the next process window is.

What if I am on the waiting list and my phone number or address changes?

Contact DHA when ready to update your information. DHA tries to reach you by phone and mail when a unit or voucher is available, and if they cannot find you, they move to the next person on the list. Keeping your contact information current is your responsibility.

Can I choose which DHA building I want to live in?

No. DHA assigns you to an available unit based on your family size and the buildings with openings. You cannot request a specific neighborhood or building. Once you are assigned and move in, you can request a transfer to a different building after you have lived there for a certain period, but transfers are not may provide.

What if my landlord will not make repairs in my DHA apartment?

Report the repair to your building's management office in writing and keep a copy. If it is not fixed within a reasonable time, file a formal maintenance complaint with DHA's central office. For serious problems like no heat or water, contact DHA when ready — they can pressure the landlord or withhold rent on your behalf in some cases.

Do I lose my Section 8 voucher if my income goes up?

No. Once you have a Section 8 voucher, you keep it even if your income rises above the limit. However, your rent share may increase because voucher rules tie your contribution to your income. Your voucher stays with you as long as you follow the lease and DHA rules.