What Georgetown Housing Authority does

Georgetown Housing Authority (GHA) is the public housing agency for Georgetown, Delaware. It owns and manages public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and runs other affordable housing programs in the area. GHA does not build or fund housing itself — it uses federal money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to operate these programs and set local rules about who can live in them and how much they pay.

If you rent from GHA directly, you live in a public housing unit and pay rent based on your income. If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher from GHA, you use it to rent from a private landlord, and GHA pays part of your rent to that landlord. Both paths start with GHA, but the experience is different.

Key Takeaways

  • Georgetown Housing Authority runs public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher program, both funded by HUD with local rules set by GHA.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income (usually 30 percent of gross monthly income), while voucher holders rent from private landlords with GHA paying the difference.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that can be years long; GHA prioritizes based on factors like homelessness, disability, and time on the list.
  • You must meet income limits, citizenship or immigration status requirements, and pass a background check to be considered for either program.
  • GHA's main office is located in Georgetown, Delaware, and you can contact them by phone or in person to ask about current waiting list status.

Public housing units managed by GHA

GHA owns apartment buildings and townhouses throughout Georgetown. When you live in one, you are a tenant of GHA itself, not a private landlord. Your lease is with GHA, and GHA handles maintenance, repairs, and lease enforcement. Rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, with a minimum rent that varies by property (often $50 to $100 per month). If your income drops, your rent drops with it.

Public housing is not temporary. You can stay as long as you meet the lease terms, your income stays within limits, and you follow GHA rules. However, GHA can evict you for lease violations, criminal activity, or if your income exceeds the limit for your unit type for a set period (usually 12 months). When that happens, GHA gives you time to find other housing, but you will have to leave.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord who accepts the program. GHA gives you the voucher, and you find an apartment on the private market. GHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent (the "housing information payment"), and you pay the rest. Your share is typically 30 percent of your gross income, though it can be less if the rent is low.

The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and pass a GHA inspection of the unit. Not all landlords participate — some refuse vouchers outright, and others have their own rules about tenant screening. Once you have a voucher and a landlord agrees, GHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, GHA signs a contract with the landlord and you sign a lease. The voucher is yours to use at that address as long as you follow the lease and GHA rules.

Vouchers are portable in some cases. If you move to another city that has a housing authority accepting portable vouchers, you may be able to transfer your voucher there. GHA can tell you whether your voucher is portable and what the process looks like.

Waiting lists and how priority works

Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists. The length depends on demand in Georgetown — some programs have waiting lists of several years. GHA does not open and close the waiting list on a fixed schedule; it depends on funding and turnover. You can call GHA to ask whether the list is open and how long the current wait is.

GHA prioritizes applicants based on factors set by federal law and GHA's own policies. Common priorities include people experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, people fleeing domestic violence, and veterans. After priority groups, GHA typically moves down the list by date of process — the longer you have been waiting, the closer you move to the top. GHA publishes its admissions policy, which you can request to see the exact order.

Income limits and other requirements

You must have a gross household income at or below a certain level to be considered. Income limits vary by family size and change yearly. For a single person, the limit might be around $35,000 to $40,000 gross annual income; for a family of four, it could be $55,000 to $65,000. GHA will tell you the current limits when you call or visit.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. GHA will ask for proof of identity and citizenship or immigration documents. You cannot have been evicted from public housing or a voucher program for lease violations in the past, and you must pass a background check. GHA looks at criminal history, but a record does not automatically disqualify you — GHA weighs the nature and age of the offense.

If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, you may still be able to explore. GHA has specific rules for people without a permanent address, and you can ask about the process when you contact them.

How to contact Georgetown Housing Authority

GHA's main office is in Georgetown, Delaware. You can call them during business hours to ask about waiting list status, current income limits, and how the process works. You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face. Some housing authorities accept applications by mail or online, but you should confirm with GHA what methods they accept.

When you call or visit, have your household income information ready, the number of people in your household, and any special circumstances (such as disability or homelessness) that might affect your priority. GHA staff can tell you whether you likely meet the income limit and how long the current wait is. They can also explain the difference between public housing and vouchers so you can decide which program fits your situation better.

What happens after you are placed

If you are selected from the waiting list, GHA will contact you with next steps. For public housing, GHA will show you available units and you will choose one (or accept one if choice is limited). You will sign a lease, pay a security deposit if required, and move in. Your rent will be calculated based on your income at that time.

For a voucher, GHA will give you the voucher and a important date to find a landlord and unit. You then search the private market, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a lease, GHA inspects the unit. If it passes, the voucher becomes active at that address. Throughout your tenancy, GHA will recertify your income yearly to make sure your rent calculation is correct.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to get public housing or a voucher from Georgetown Housing Authority?

Wait times vary widely depending on demand and funding. Some programs have waiting lists of two to five years or longer. Call GHA directly to ask the current wait time for the program you are interested in — they update this information regularly and can give you a realistic timeline.

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists, and you can be on both. If you are selected for one before the other, you can accept it and stay on the other list, or decline and wait for your preferred option. GHA can explain how this works when you explore.

What if my income goes up after I move into public housing?

Your rent will increase as your income increases — it is always recalculated as 30 percent of your gross income. If your income stays above the limit for your unit type for 12 months (the exact period depends on GHA policy), GHA may ask you to move out. You will be given time to find other housing, but you cannot stay indefinitely if you exceed the income ceiling.

Do I have to accept the first unit GHA offers me?

For public housing, you typically have some choice among available units, though choice depends on what is vacant at the time. For vouchers, you search and choose the unit yourself — GHA does not assign one to you. If you refuse a reasonable offer of public housing without good cause, GHA may remove you from the waiting list, so ask about your options before declining.

What if a landlord refuses to accept my voucher?

Landlords can choose whether to participate in the voucher program, and some refuse. This is legal in Delaware. If a landlord refuses, you can look for another unit with a landlord who accepts vouchers. GHA can provide a list of landlords in the area who have participated in the past, though the list is not exhaustive.