What the Gwinnett Housing Authority does

The Gwinnett Housing Authority (GHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in Gwinnett County, Georgia. It does not build or own most of the housing it manages — instead, it pays private landlords to house low-income residents, and it owns a smaller number of public housing units directly. The Authority is independent from the county government, though it receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

GHA's main job is to process applications, verify income and household composition, inspect properties, and send monthly payments to landlords. It is not a shelter, a social services agency, or a crisis fund. If you need emergency rent money or are about to be evicted, GHA's regular programs will not solve that problem in time — you would need to contact your local emergency rental information program or 211 instead.

Key Takeaways

  • GHA runs two separate programs: public housing (units it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (payments to private landlords), each with its own waiting list and rules.
  • Both programs require your household income to fall below 50 percent of the area median income for Gwinnett County, and you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status.
  • Waiting lists for both programs are typically closed, and when they reopen, hundreds of people explore within days — getting on the list is not the same as getting housing soon.
  • Once you receive a voucher or are placed in public housing, you pay 30 percent of your income as rent, and GHA pays the rest to the landlord.
  • You can contact GHA directly at their main office in Lawrenceville, or call their customer service line to ask whether the waiting list is currently open.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers at GHA

GHA operates two distinct programs, and they work very differently. Public housing means GHA owns the building and you rent directly from the Authority. GHA owns scattered units and some small complexes throughout Gwinnett County. Section 8 vouchers mean GHA gives you a voucher (a payment authorization) and you find your own apartment from a private landlord who agrees to accept the voucher. The landlord gets paid by GHA; you pay your 30 percent share.

Public housing has lower rent but less choice — you live where GHA has units available. Section 8 gives you more freedom to choose where you live, but you have to find a landlord willing to participate, and the voucher amount may not cover rent in higher-cost areas. Both have separate waiting lists. Both require the same income limits and citizenship verification. Most people wait longer for Section 8 because demand is higher.

Income limits and household requirements

To be considered for either GHA program, your household's gross monthly income must not exceed 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Gwinnett County. The exact dollar amount changes each year. For 2024, a single person's income limit is roughly $1,650 per month, and a family of four is roughly $2,650 per month — but these figures shift annually, so you must confirm the current limits with GHA directly.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status (such as a green card or certain visa categories). GHA will ask for a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and will verify your status through federal databases. If anyone in your household is not a citizen or does not have may be able to access status, the entire household may be ineligible, though mixed-status households sometimes have partial may be able to access — ask GHA about your specific situation.

Your household size matters for income limits and rent calculations. GHA counts all people living in the unit, including children, elderly relatives, and live-in caregivers. If your household composition changes (a child is born, a family member moves out, someone moves in), you must report it to GHA within 30 days.

How to learn about the waiting list is open

Both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at GHA are usually closed. When they are closed, you cannot explore, and no amount of calling will change that. When they do open — which happens irregularly, sometimes years apart — they fill up within days or weeks. There is no way to predict when a list will reopen.

The only reliable way to know is to contact GHA directly. Call their main customer service line or visit their office in person at 60 Perimeter Center East, Lawrenceville, GA 30046. You can also check their website for announcements, though calling is faster. When you call, ask specifically whether the public housing list and the Section 8 list are open — they may not open at the same time. If both are closed, ask if you can be notified when they reopen; some housing authorities maintain a notification list, though GHA's policy on this varies.

What happens after you are placed in housing

Once GHA approves you and places you in a unit (either public housing or Section 8), you sign a lease and move in. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income. If your income is $1,500 per month, you pay $450. GHA pays the rest of the rent to the landlord. If you live in public housing, you pay GHA directly. If you have a Section 8 voucher, you pay the landlord, and the landlord receives a separate check from GHA.

You must report changes in income, household size, or employment to GHA within 30 days. If your income drops, your rent may drop. If your income rises above the program limit, you may lose your voucher or housing. GHA conducts annual recertifications — a review of your income and household — and you must provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or other proof of income. If you do not show up for recertification or do not provide the documents, GHA can terminate your information.

Your unit will be inspected annually by GHA to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If you live in public housing, GHA handles maintenance. If you have a Section 8 voucher, the landlord is responsible for repairs, but GHA inspects to may support the unit is safe and habitable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get housing after I am approved?

There is no set timeline. For public housing, it depends on when a unit becomes available in your area. For Section 8, you receive a voucher and then have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord and a unit. If you cannot find a unit in time, your voucher expires and you lose it. The wait from approval to actually moving in can range from a few weeks to several months.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside Gwinnett County?

No. GHA vouchers are only valid in Gwinnett County. If you move out of the county, you lose your voucher. Some housing authorities have portability agreements with other counties, but you would need to contact GHA to ask whether that option exists for your situation.

What if my income goes up after I receive a voucher?

If your income exceeds the program limit, GHA will terminate your information. However, there is usually a grace period — often one year — during which your rent may increase but you keep the voucher. After that period, if your income stays above the limit, you lose the voucher. The exact rules depend on your program and GHA's current policy, so ask during your recertification.

Can I explore if I have an eviction on my record?

Past evictions do not automatically disqualify you, but GHA will review your rental history. If the eviction was recent or if you owe money to a previous landlord, GHA may deny your process. Each case is reviewed individually. If you were evicted, be honest about it when you explore and explain the circumstances.

What documents do I need to bring to explore?

You will need a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status (passport, green card, or birth certificate), and a list of all household members with their dates of birth. GHA will give you a full checklist when you call or visit. Bring originals or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted.