The Housing Authority of Athens serves renters and landlords in Clarke County through public housing, voucher programs, and affordable housing development

The Housing Authority of Athens-Clarke County (HACCC) is a public agency that manages public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and develops affordable rental properties across the Athens area. If you are looking for affordable housing, need information about a voucher you hold, or want to report a maintenance issue in a public housing unit, HACCC is the body you contact — not a state or federal office.

The agency operates from a single main office in Athens. Most transactions happen by phone, mail, or in person at that location. Unlike some larger housing authorities, HACCC does not maintain separate satellite offices, so knowing the correct phone number and mailing address matters for getting a response in a reasonable time.

Key Takeaways

  • The Housing Authority of Athens-Clarke County manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers for the Athens area and is the first place to contact for questions about either program.
  • You can reach HACCC by phone, mail, or by visiting the main office in person; phone is usually fastest for urgent questions like maintenance requests.
  • If you hold a Section 8 voucher, you report lease violations, request reasonable accommodations, and notify HACCC of address changes through the same office.
  • Public housing residents report maintenance problems directly to HACCC maintenance staff, and emergency repairs have a faster response time than routine requests.
  • Wait lists for public housing and vouchers open and close based on demand; calling ahead tells you whether a list is currently open before you make the trip.

Contact Information and Office Hours

The Housing Authority of Athens-Clarke County main office is located at 170 Westchester Drive, Athens, GA 30601. The main phone line is (706) 613-3500. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though you should confirm current hours by calling ahead, as holiday schedules and staffing changes can affect availability.

For routine questions — such as asking whether a wait list is open, requesting a form, or scheduling an in-person appointment — the phone line is your fastest option. If you need to mail documents, send them to the same address. Include your name, unit number (if you are a current resident), and a phone number where staff can reach you. Mail typically takes one to two weeks to process, so do not use mail for urgent matters.

Some housing authorities maintain online portals where residents can view lease terms, report maintenance, or check voucher status. Contact HACCC directly to learn whether such a portal exists and how to set up an account if you are a current resident or voucher holder.

Public Housing: how the process works and What to Expect

Public housing units owned and managed by HACCC are rented at below-market rates to households that meet income limits. To be considered, you must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, have a valid Social Security number, and meet the income cap for your household size. Income limits change yearly and vary by family composition, so call HACCC to learn the current threshold for your situation.

When a wait list is open, you can explore in person at the main office or by mail. You will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements), proof of identity, and proof of residency in Clarke County. The process itself is free. Once you explore, HACCC places you on a wait list in the order applications were received. Wait times vary widely — sometimes months, sometimes years — depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available.

HACCC will contact you by phone or mail when a unit matching your family size becomes available. You then have a limited time to view the unit and decide whether to accept it. If you accept, you sign a lease and pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though HACCC may adjust this based on circumstances). If you decline, you remain on the wait list but may move down in priority depending on HACCC policy.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers: How the Program Works

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, gives may be able to access renters a voucher that subsidizes rent at a privately owned apartment or house. You find your own unit, negotiate the lease with the landlord, and HACCC pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference out of pocket.

To hold a voucher, you must meet income limits (which are lower than public housing limits), be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access noncitizen, and have a valid Social Security number. Like public housing, voucher wait lists open and close based on demand. When HACCC opens a list, you can explore at the main office. The process is free and takes about 15 minutes.

If you are approved for a voucher, HACCC issues you a document that shows landlords you have subsidy backing. You then have a set time period (usually 60 to 120 days, depending on HACCC policy) to find a unit. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, the unit must pass a HACCC inspection, and the rent cannot exceed the payment standard HACCC sets for your area. Once all three conditions are met, you move in and the subsidy begins.

While you hold a voucher, you must report changes in household composition, income, or address to HACCC within 10 days. If you move to a different unit, you must notify HACCC and request a new inspection. If your landlord violates the lease or refuses to make repairs, you can report this to HACCC, which has the power to remove the landlord from the program.

Maintenance Requests and Resident Issues in Public Housing

If you live in a HACCC public housing unit and have a maintenance problem — such as a broken heater, leaking roof, or broken appliance — contact HACCC maintenance directly at (706) 613-3500. Describe the problem clearly and provide your unit number and address. Maintenance staff will schedule a time to visit and make the repair.

Emergency repairs (no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazard, or pest infestation) are prioritized and usually addressed within 24 to 48 hours. Routine repairs (broken cabinet door, caulking, paint) may take one to two weeks depending on the maintenance queue. If a repair is not completed within a reasonable time and poses a health or safety risk, you can contact your local housing authority ombudsman or file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, though this is a step to take only after HACCC has not responded to repeated requests.

Rent is always due on the first of the month. If you cannot pay, contact HACCC when ready to discuss options. Failure to pay rent can result in eviction, but HACCC may work with you if you communicate early and have a plan to catch up.

Wait Lists: When They Open and How to Know

Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers are managed through wait lists. When demand is high, HACCC closes the list to new applications. When units or vouchers become available and the list is manageable, HACCC reopens it. There is no way to know in advance when a list will reopen, so calling HACCC every few months is the most reliable way to stay informed.

When you call, ask whether the public housing wait list and the Section 8 wait list are currently open. If either is open, ask what documents you need to bring to explore and what the current wait time is (based on how many people are ahead of you). If both are closed, ask whether HACCC has a timeline for reopening or whether you can request to be notified when a list opens again.

Some housing authorities maintain a notification system where you can provide your email or phone number and receive an alert when a wait list reopens. Ask HACCC whether this service is available.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the income limit to may have access to for public housing or a Section 8 voucher?

Income limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and vary by family size and area. For Athens, limits change yearly. Call HACCC at (706) 613-3500 and tell them your household size; they will give you the current limit in one minute. You can also visit the HUD website and search for Athens, Georgia income limits.

How long does it take to get approved for a voucher or public housing?

Wait times depend on how many people are ahead of you on the list and how many units or vouchers become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. HACCC can tell you the current average wait time when you call. Once you are approved and a unit or voucher is offered, the process moves faster — usually two to four weeks from offer to move-in.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher if I move out of Athens?

Section 8 vouchers are portable, meaning you can use them in other areas if you move. However, you must notify HACCC before you move and request a "portability" transfer. The new housing authority in your destination area will take over your voucher. Contact HACCC before you move to understand the process and any important date.

What happens if my landlord will not accept my Section 8 voucher?

A landlord cannot legally refuse a Section 8 voucher based on the voucher itself, though they can refuse based on standard rental criteria (credit, income, criminal history). If you believe a landlord is discriminating against you because of the voucher, report it to HACCC. HACCC can investigate and, if discrimination is found, remove the landlord from the program.

How do I report a problem with my landlord or a maintenance issue that is not being fixed?

For public housing maintenance, call HACCC at (706) 613-3500 and describe the problem. For Section 8 voucher issues with a landlord, contact HACCC and explain the situation; staff can advise you on your rights and may contact the landlord on your behalf. If the problem is serious and HACCC does not resolve it, you can file a complaint with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.