Most Florida housing authorities have closed waiting lists, but some remain open to new applicants
Florida's 27 housing authorities manage public housing and voucher programs across the state, but most are not taking new applications right now. The waiting lists that do remain open vary by county and change throughout the year as programs fill up or receive new funding. Your best starting point is to contact your local housing authority directly — they can tell you in one conversation whether they are accepting new names and what the wait time looks like.
The two main programs you might find available are public housing (where the authority owns the building) and Housing Choice Vouchers, also called Section 8 (where you rent from a private landlord and the voucher helps pay the rent). Not every authority runs both, and not every program within an authority has the same waiting list status.
Key Takeaways
- Contact your county's housing authority directly by phone or website to learn whether they are accepting new applications, because waiting list status changes and varies by program.
- Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers are separate programs with separate waiting lists, and one may be open while the other is closed.
- If your local authority's list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen and whether you can request notification when they do.
- Some smaller or rural Florida authorities have shorter waits than large urban ones, so if you are willing to move, check neighboring counties.
- The Florida Housing Finance and Development Authority (FHDA) maintains a directory of all 27 local authorities with contact information.
How to find your local housing authority and check waiting list status
Start with the Florida Housing Finance and Development Authority (FHDA) website, which lists all 27 local housing authorities by county with phone numbers and addresses. Search for your county name plus "housing authority" to find the direct link, or call the FHDA at 850-488-4197 to get the contact information for your area.
When you call your local authority, have your name, address, and phone number ready. Ask specifically: "Are you accepting applications for public housing?" and "Are you accepting applications for Housing Choice Vouchers?" — these are two separate questions with two separate answers. If both are closed, ask when they last reopened and whether you can leave your name to be notified if they open again.
Many authorities maintain a waiting list even when they are not actively accepting applications. Being on that list means you will be contacted when the program reopens, so it is worth asking about this option even if new applications are not being taken right now.
What happens after you contact the authority
If the waiting list is open, the authority will either ask you to explore over the phone, mail you an process, or direct you to explore online through their website. You will need to provide proof of income, a photo ID, Social Security numbers for all household members, and documentation of your current housing situation (lease, utility bill, or letter from your landlord).
Once your process is submitted, the authority will verify your information and place you on the waiting list in the order applications were received. Wait times vary dramatically — some authorities have waits of one to two years, while others may have waits of five years or longer. The authority will contact you when your name reaches the top of the list and a unit or voucher becomes available.
During the waiting period, your circumstances may change. Most authorities allow you to update your process if your address, phone number, income, or household size changes. Keep your contact information current so the authority can reach you when it is your turn.
Differences between public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers
Public housing means the authority owns the building where you live. You pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income), and the authority covers the rest of the cost. The authority is responsible for maintenance and repairs. Public housing is concentrated in specific neighborhoods, so your housing options are limited to buildings the authority owns in your area.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) give you money to rent from any private landlord who will accept the voucher. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord must agree to participate in the program, and the voucher pays a portion of the rent while you pay the rest. This gives you more choice in where you live and what kind of housing you get, but you have to find a landlord willing to work with the program — not all do.
Waiting times and availability differ between the two programs. One authority might have a closed public housing list but an open voucher list, or vice versa. This is why it matters to ask about both separately.
What to do if your local authority's list is closed
If your county's housing authority is not accepting applications, you have several options. First, ask them to put you on a notification list so you are contacted when they reopen. Some authorities reopen their lists annually or when funding becomes available, so staying on their radar matters.
Second, check neighboring counties. If you live near a county line and are willing to move or have flexibility about where you live, a neighboring authority might have a shorter wait or an open list. Keep in mind that you will need to live in the county where you hold the voucher or rent public housing, so this only works if relocation is realistic for you.
Third, look into other housing programs while you wait. Florida has emergency rental information programs (which vary by county), rapid rehousing programs through the Continuum of Care, and nonprofit housing organizations that offer affordable housing or rental help. These are separate from housing authorities and may have different may be able to access rules and wait times.
Understanding wait times and what they mean
A housing authority's wait time is the average number of months or years between when someone applies and when they are offered a unit or voucher. In Florida, this ranges from under one year in some smaller counties to five years or more in large urban areas like Miami-Dade and Hillsborough County. Wait times are not may provide — they can grow longer if funding does not increase or if demand stays high.
The wait time does not mean you will hear nothing for that entire period. The authority will contact you periodically to confirm you still want to be on the list and to update your information. If you do not respond, they may remove you from the list, so take any communication from the authority seriously.
Some authorities prioritize certain applicants — for example, people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, or people being displaced by redevelopment. Ask your local authority whether they have a priority category that might explore to you, as this can move you higher on the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I be on multiple housing authority waiting lists at the same time?
Yes. You can explore to your local authority and also to authorities in neighboring counties if you are willing to relocate. Each authority maintains its own separate waiting list, and being on one does not affect your status with another. However, you must live in the county where you hold a voucher or rent public housing, so only explore to areas where you could realistically move.
What if I move while I am on the waiting list?
Contact your housing authority when ready and provide your new address and phone number. If you move out of the county, you will usually be removed from that authority's list, though some authorities allow you to transfer your process to a different county's authority. Ask about this option before you move.
Do I have to accept the first unit or voucher offered to me?
With public housing, you generally must accept the first available unit or you may be removed from the list. With Housing Choice Vouchers, you have more flexibility — you can turn down a voucher and stay on the list, but policies vary by authority. Ask your local authority about their specific rules before you accept a voucher.
How do I know if a housing authority is legitimate?
Legitimate housing authorities are listed on the FHDA website and have official county or city websites. Never pay money to explore for public housing or a voucher — these programs are free. If someone asks you for an process fee or promises to move you to the top of the list for money, that is a scam.
What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?
Housing authorities have rules about criminal history and evictions, but these rules vary. Some disqualify applicants for certain offenses or recent evictions, while others consider the circumstances. Call your local authority and ask about their specific policies — you may still be able to explore even with a difficult history.