What the Denver Housing Authority is and who runs it

The Denver Housing Authority (DHA) is a public agency that owns and manages affordable rental housing in Denver and surrounding areas. It is run by a board of commissioners and operates independently from the city government, though it works closely with Denver's planning and development office. DHA manages roughly 6,000 rental units across the metro area and also administers the Section 8 voucher program for Denver residents.

The agency's main job is to keep rents affordable for households earning below the area median income. It does this by owning buildings outright, subsidizing rents through vouchers, and partnering with private developers to create mixed-income housing. DHA also runs supportive services at some of its properties, including case management, job training, and mental health resources.

Key Takeaways

  • Denver Housing Authority manages public housing units and administers Section 8 vouchers for low-income renters in the Denver metro area.
  • You can explore for public housing or a Section 8 voucher through DHA's website or by visiting their office in person; both have waiting lists that vary in length.
  • Public housing rent is based on your income (typically 30 percent of gross monthly income), while Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord with a subsidy covering part of the cost.
  • DHA requires proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a background check before approving any housing program.
  • If you are experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis, DHA partners with local nonprofits that can connect you to emergency resources faster than the standard waiting list.

DHA public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

DHA offers two main pathways to affordable housing. Public housing means you rent an apartment that DHA owns directly. The rent you pay is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, with DHA covering the rest of the cost. Public housing units are scattered across Denver neighborhoods and in some larger complexes. Many include on-site services like job placement or youth programs.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. DHA gives you a voucher that subsidizes your rent at a privately owned apartment or house. You find the rental yourself, the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and DHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you have to find a landlord willing to participate in the program. Both programs have waiting lists; the Section 8 list is typically longer and moves more slowly.

The choice between them depends on your situation. Public housing offers stability and services but less choice. Section 8 offers independence and neighborhood choice but requires you to locate and negotiate with a landlord. Some people are on both waiting lists and take whichever opens first.

How to contact Denver Housing Authority

DHA's main office is located at 1981 Blake Street, Denver, CO 80202. You can reach them by phone at 720-944-7575 during business hours, Monday through Friday. Their website is denvhousing.org, where you can find process forms, current waiting list information, and details about specific properties.

If you prefer to explore in person, you can visit the office to submit paperwork and ask questions. DHA also holds information sessions at various community centers and nonprofits around Denver; check their website for the current schedule. For people experiencing homelessness or in when ready housing crisis, DHA has partnerships with nonprofits like the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless that can fast-track you to resources without waiting for the standard process process.

What documents you need to bring

DHA requires specific paperwork before you can be considered for housing. You will need proof of identity (a driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of citizenship or legal residency (a birth certificate, green card, or visa). If you receive benefits like unemployment or Social Security, bring documentation of those payments.

You also need to be prepared for a background check. DHA will review your rental history, criminal history, and credit. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions (particularly drug-related or violent offenses) may. If you have evictions on your record, DHA will look at how long ago they occurred and the circumstances. Bring any documentation that explains your situation — for example, if an eviction was due to a landlord's failure to maintain the property, bring evidence of that dispute.

Bring your Social Security number for all household members who will live in the unit. If you have children, bring birth certificates. If you are explore as a family, DHA needs to verify the relationship of all occupants.

How rent is calculated in DHA housing

In public housing, your rent is almost always 30 percent of your gross monthly household income. If your household earns $2,000 per month, your rent would be $600. DHA calculates income by adding up all money coming into your household — wages, child support, Social Security, unemployment benefits, and any other regular income. They do not count one-time payments or money from savings.

If your income changes, you must report it to DHA. If you get a raise or a new job, your rent will go up. If you lose income, your rent will go down. DHA reviews income annually and after any major change you report. This is different from private rental markets, where rent stays the same until your lease renews.

Section 8 vouchers work on a similar principle, but the calculation is more complex because it involves both your income and the fair market rent for your area. DHA sets a payment standard for each neighborhood, and your share of the rent is based on your income while DHA pays the difference — up to that payment standard. If you find a unit that rents for less than the payment standard, you pay less. If it rents for more, you pay the difference out of pocket.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists. The public housing list is typically shorter and moves faster — you might wait anywhere from a few months to a couple of years depending on the size of unit you need and current demand. The Section 8 list is usually much longer; in Denver it can take several years to reach the top, though DHA periodically opens the list to new applicants when funding allows.

DHA prioritizes certain groups on the waiting list. People experiencing homelessness, people with disabilities, and families with very low incomes may move up the list faster. Veterans may also receive priority depending on current funding. When a unit becomes available, DHA contacts the next person on the list and you have a limited time to respond — usually a few days. If you do not respond, they move to the next person.

You can be on both waiting lists at the same time. Some people are on the public housing list and the Section 8 list and take whichever becomes available first. DHA will remove you from both lists once you are housed, so you do not have to worry about being offered two units at once.

What happens after you are approved

Once DHA approves you, you will be assigned a unit (for public housing) or given a voucher (for Section 8). For public housing, DHA will show you available units that match your family size and income level. You can usually see a few options and choose which one you prefer, though in high-demand areas your choices may be limited. You will sign a lease and pay a security deposit (usually equal to one month's rent, though it may be waived or reduced based on income).

For Section 8, you receive a voucher and a time window — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a rental property. You search on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a lease, you submit it to DHA for approval. DHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards, then authorizes the subsidy. The landlord and you sign the lease, and the subsidy begins.

After you move in, you are responsible for paying your portion of rent on time and following the lease terms. DHA will conduct periodic inspections of public housing units to may support they are maintained. If you have questions or problems with your unit, contact your property manager or DHA's maintenance line. If your income changes, report it to DHA within 30 days so your rent can be adjusted.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money for DHA housing?

DHA serves households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income, though most programs prioritize people earning below 50 percent of median. For a single person in Denver, that is roughly $35,000 to $56,000 per year depending on the program. For a family of four, it ranges from about $50,000 to $80,000. Call DHA at 720-944-7575 to confirm the current income limits for your household size.

Can I own a car if I live in DHA housing?

Yes. DHA does not restrict car ownership. You can own one or more vehicles. Some DHA properties have assigned parking, some have first-come parking, and some are in urban areas where parking is limited. Ask about parking when you tour a unit.

What if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you. DHA looks at the type of offense, how long ago it occurred, and what you have done since. Drug convictions and violent crimes are more likely to result in denial, but DHA considers each case individually. If you have a record, be honest about it on your process and bring any documentation showing rehabilitation or changed circumstances.

Can I transfer to a different DHA unit if I do not like my apartment?

Yes, but you have to request a transfer through DHA and wait for an opening in a unit you prefer. Transfers are not may provide and depend on availability. You cannot straightforward move out and break your lease.

What if my landlord stops accepting Section 8 vouchers?

If you are renting with a Section 8 voucher and your landlord decides to leave the program, you have time to find a new rental. DHA will work with you to locate another property and extend your voucher timeline if needed. You do not lose your voucher, but you do need to find a new place that accepts it.