What the DC Housing Authority does

The District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) is the public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Washington, D.C. It owns and manages apartment buildings where tenants pay rent based on their income, and it distributes vouchers that let low-income renters choose their own apartments in the private market while the program pays part of the rent. DCHA does not run emergency information, rapid rehousing, or homeless services — those are handled by the D.C. Department of Human Services.

If you live in D.C. and are looking for affordable housing, DCHA is the main place to contact. The agency maintains waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers, though both lists are typically closed to new applicants. When a list does open, DCHA announces it through local media and on its website.

Key Takeaways

  • DCHA runs public housing (apartments it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rent information in private apartments), but not emergency rental aid or homeless services.
  • Both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists are usually closed, and you can only add your name when DCHA opens enrollment, which happens irregularly.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income, typically 30 percent of what you earn, while Section 8 vouchers work the same way but let you choose any landlord who accepts the program.
  • You can contact DCHA directly at 202-535-1000 or visit its office at 1133 North Capitol Street NE to ask about waiting list status and when the next opening might occur.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

DCHA offers two different paths to affordable housing. Public housing means you rent an apartment that DCHA owns. The agency maintains several hundred units across D.C., and your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (or the minimum rent, whichever is higher). You live in a DCHA building, follow DCHA lease rules, and DCHA handles maintenance and repairs.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. The program gives you a voucher that covers a portion of the rent on any apartment in the private market, as long as the landlord agrees to accept Section 8. You choose where to live, negotiate with the landlord, and the voucher pays the difference between your 30 percent contribution and the actual rent (up to a limit set by the program). This gives you more choice but requires finding a landlord willing to work with the program.

Both programs have long waiting lists. Public housing typically has a waiting list of several years, and Section 8 vouchers often have a waiting list of five years or longer. When either list opens for new applicants, DCHA announces it publicly.

How to get on a DCHA waiting list

To join a waiting list, you must first meet DCHA's income limits. For public housing and Section 8, the limit is usually 80 percent of the area median income for D.C., though some units are reserved for households earning less. You also must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, and you cannot have certain criminal convictions or a history of lease violations.

When a waiting list opens, DCHA accepts applications online through its website or in person at its office. The process asks for proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and information about your current housing. You will need documents like recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of benefits or a statement explaining your situation.

After you submit an process, DCHA places you on the waiting list in the order applications were received. The agency does not rank applicants or give priority based on need — it is first-come, first-served. You stay on the list until you are offered a unit or voucher, or until you ask to be removed.

What happens after you are offered housing

When a unit or voucher becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list, DCHA contacts you. For public housing, the agency shows you available apartments and you choose one that fits your family size. For Section 8, you receive a voucher and have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find a landlord and an apartment that meets program standards.

Before you move in, DCHA conducts a housing inspection to make sure the unit meets safety and quality standards. For public housing, DCHA inspects its own unit. For Section 8, an inspector visits the private apartment to check things like working plumbing, heat, electrical outlets, and the absence of lead paint hazards. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs before you can move in.

Once you move in, you sign a lease and begin paying rent. For public housing, you pay DCHA directly. For Section 8, you pay the landlord the full rent, and the voucher program reimburses the landlord for its portion. Your rent amount is recalculated each year based on your current income.

Income recertification and rent changes

DCHA requires you to report your income once a year so the agency can recalculate your rent. You will receive a notice asking you to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. If you do not recertify on time, DCHA may terminate your lease.

Life changes also affect your housing. If someone moves into your household, you must report it. If someone moves out, you must report that too. If you have a new job, a job loss, or a change in benefits, tell DCHA as soon as possible. The agency uses this information to keep your rent calculation accurate and to make sure your unit size still matches your family.

Maintenance and repairs in DCHA housing

If you live in public housing, DCHA is responsible for repairs and maintenance. If something breaks — a leaky faucet, a broken window, a heating problem — you submit a work order to DCHA's maintenance department. You can call 202-535-1000 to report an emergency repair, or submit a non-emergency request online or in person.

DCHA aims to complete routine repairs within a set timeframe, though response times vary. Emergency repairs (no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazards) should be addressed faster. If DCHA does not make a repair in a reasonable time, you have the right to file a complaint with the agency or contact the D.C. Office of the Tenant Advocate.

If you have a Section 8 voucher, your landlord is responsible for repairs, not DCHA. You work directly with the landlord to request fixes. If the landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, you can contact the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development to file a housing code violation complaint.

Contacting DCHA and finding current information

DCHA's main phone line is 202-535-1000. The agency's office is located at 1133 North Capitol Street NE, Washington, D.C. 20002. You can visit in person to ask about waiting list status, submit applications when lists are open, or get help with recertification and other tenant matters.

DCHA's website is dcha.dc.gov. The site posts announcements about waiting list openings, explains program rules, and provides forms you may need. You can also find information about DCHA programs through the D.C. Department of Housing and Community Development website at dhcd.dc.gov.

If you are homeless or in crisis and need when ready shelter, DCHA is not the right agency. Contact the D.C. Department of Human Services at 202-671-4700 or visit a D.C. homeless services center for emergency information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a DCHA apartment or voucher?

Wait times vary widely. Public housing waiting lists typically take three to five years or longer, depending on your family size and the availability of units. Section 8 voucher waiting lists can be five years or more. Some applicants wait much longer. The only way to know your position is to contact DCHA directly at 202-535-1000.

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

Yes. You can submit applications to both programs when their waiting lists are open. If you are offered housing from one program, you can choose to accept it and stay on the other list, or accept it and ask to be removed from the other list. The choice is yours.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

DCHA has rules about criminal convictions and lease violations. Some convictions disqualify you permanently; others do not. An eviction or lease break-up may disqualify you for a set period. Contact DCHA directly to ask whether your specific situation affects your ability to join a waiting list.

Do I have to move if my income goes above the limit?

No. DCHA has "income limits" for joining the program, but once you are in public housing or have a Section 8 voucher, you can stay even if your income rises. Your rent will increase, but you will not be forced to leave. This is called "income recertification" — your rent adjusts, but your housing does not.

What is the difference between DCHA and emergency rental information?

DCHA provides long-term affordable housing through public housing and vouchers. Emergency rental information is a separate program run by the D.C. Department of Human Services that helps people pay rent they already owe. If you need help with back rent right now, contact DHS, not DCHA. If you are looking for permanent affordable housing, DCHA is the right place.