What the Birmingham Housing Authority Does

The Birmingham Housing Authority (BHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Birmingham, Alabama. It owns and manages apartment complexes for low-income residents and distributes federal housing vouchers that help people pay rent in privately owned units. The BHA is separate from the city government — it is its own agency with its own board and budget.

If you live in public housing owned by BHA, you pay rent based on your income, usually 30 percent of what you earn. If you hold a Section 8 voucher from BHA, you find your own apartment and the program pays the landlord a portion of the rent; you pay the rest. Both programs require income verification and background checks before you move in.

Key Takeaways

  • The Birmingham Housing Authority manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers; you contact them directly, not through a city office or state agency.
  • To get on a waiting list for either program, you must visit the BHA office in person or call to request an process, then submit proof of income and identity.
  • Waiting lists are closed and open at different times depending on how many people are already waiting; call before making the trip to confirm the list is open.
  • Once you are approved and move in, you must report changes in income, household size, or employment within 30 days or risk losing your subsidy.
  • The BHA office is located at 2600 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203, and you can reach them by phone at (205) 328-7631.

How to Contact the Birmingham Housing Authority

The main office is at 2600 Richard Arrington Jr. Boulevard North, Birmingham, AL 35203. You can call (205) 328-7631 during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday; hours vary by season, so call ahead to confirm before you visit.

You can also visit the BHA website to read forms and check whether waiting lists are currently open. The website lists the current status of both public housing and Section 8 waiting lists. If a list is closed, the site will usually say when it is expected to reopen, though dates can shift.

Do not rely on email for urgent matters. Phone calls and in-person visits are the fastest way to get answers about your status or to ask whether you can submit an process right now.

Public Housing vs. Section 8: Which Program Applies to You

Public housing means you rent an apartment that BHA owns. You live in a complex managed by BHA staff. Your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent set by the program. You must meet income limits, pass a background check, and provide references. Lease terms are usually one year.

Section 8 means you find your own apartment in the private market and BHA pays the landlord a subsidy. You pay the difference between the subsidy and the actual rent. You have more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to accept Section 8, and the unit must pass a housing inspection. Income limits are the same as for public housing.

Both programs have waiting lists. Both are often closed because demand exceeds available units. Call BHA to ask which program has an open list right now, or check the website. You can be on both waiting lists at the same time.

Income Limits and What You Need to Bring

Income limits change each year and depend on household size. For 2024, the limit for a single person is roughly $35,000 to $38,000 per year gross income, and it rises for larger households. The exact number varies; call BHA or check their website for the current year's limits for your household size.

When you explore, bring a photo ID, proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, or tax returns), and proof of citizenship or legal residency (birth certificate, passport, or immigration documents). If you are unemployed, bring a letter from your last employer or documentation of benefits you receive. Bring documents for every adult in your household.

You will also need to provide references — usually two people who know you but are not family members. BHA will contact them to ask about your character and history as a tenant. If you have an eviction history, disclose it; BHA will find out anyway, and honesty helps your case.

The Waiting List Process and Timeline

Once you submit a complete process, BHA places you on the waiting list. The list is ranked by date of process — first in, first out — though some programs give priority to people with disabilities, elderly residents, or those experiencing homelessness. Ask BHA whether any priority categories explore to you.

Wait times vary widely. In some years, public housing has a wait of several months to a few years, depending on how many units become available. Section 8 waiting lists can be even longer. BHA will contact you by phone or mail when a unit or voucher is available. You must respond within a set timeframe, usually 10 days, or you lose your place and go to the back of the list.

While you are waiting, your process remains active as long as you keep your contact information current. If you move or change your phone number, call BHA when ready to update your file. If you do not respond to an offer, you will be removed from the list.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you are offered a unit or voucher, BHA will schedule a move-in appointment. For public housing, you sign a lease and pay a deposit (usually equal to one month's rent, calculated at 30 percent of your income). For Section 8, you find an apartment, the landlord signs a contract with BHA, and the unit passes inspection before you move in.

After you move in, you must report any changes within 30 days: a new job, a raise, a household member moving in or out, a change in benefits, or anything that affects your income. Failure to report changes can result in overpayment of rent, which you will owe back, or termination of your subsidy. BHA will ask you to recertify your income once a year, usually by submitting recent pay stubs or benefit letters.

You are responsible for maintaining the unit in good condition and following the lease. BHA can terminate your lease for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. If you are in Section 8, your landlord can also end the lease, and you will lose your voucher if you are evicted.

What to Do If Your process Is Denied

BHA must provide a written reason if your process is denied. Common reasons include income above the limit, a criminal record, an eviction history, or failure to provide required documents. The letter will explain what disqualified you and whether you can reapply.

If you believe the decision was wrong — for example, if BHA used outdated income information or made an error — you have the right to request a hearing. The letter will explain how to request one. You can bring documents, witnesses, or a representative to the hearing to present your case.

If you are denied because of income, you may become may be able to access again if your income drops. If you are denied because of a criminal record or eviction, ask BHA whether you can reapply after a certain period of time has passed. Some disqualifications are permanent; others are not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waiting list if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent residency (a green card). Refugees and asylees may also be may be able to access. Bring your immigration documents when you explore. If you are not sure about your status, call BHA and ask before you submit an process.

What if I have a criminal record?

BHA will conduct a background check. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — especially drug-related or violent crimes — may. BHA has discretion to deny based on the nature and age of the offense. Disclose your record on the process; hiding it will result in denial.

How long does it take to hear back after I explore?

BHA typically contacts you within two to four weeks if your process is complete. If documents are missing, they will call and ask you to submit them. Once you are on the waiting list, you may wait months or years for an offer, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available.

Can I transfer to a different unit or neighborhood?

If you are in public housing, you can request a transfer after you have lived in your unit for a certain period, usually one year. Transfers are granted based on availability and your reason for requesting one. For Section 8, you can move to a different unit at any time as long as the new unit meets program standards and the landlord accepts the voucher.

What happens if I lose my job while I am in the program?

Report the job loss to BHA within 30 days. Your rent will be recalculated based on your new income, which may be lower. If you are receiving unemployment benefits, those count as income. BHA will not remove you from the program for losing a job, but you must report it and your rent will adjust accordingly.