What the Jacksonville Housing Authority Does

The Jacksonville Housing Authority (JHA) is a local government agency that runs public housing and rental voucher programs in Duval County. It does not build or own most of the housing itself — instead, it pays private landlords to house low-income residents, and it manages the waiting lists and paperwork for those programs. JHA also owns and operates some public housing developments directly.

The agency administers two main programs: the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8), which gives tenants a voucher to use at any landlord who accepts it, and Public Housing, where JHA owns the building and you pay rent to JHA itself. Both programs require income verification and have waiting lists. JHA's main office is located in Jacksonville, and you contact them directly to inquire about programs, get on a waiting list, or report maintenance issues if you live in JHA housing.

Key Takeaways

  • JHA administers Housing Choice Vouchers and Public Housing in Duval County, and both have waiting lists that can be years long depending on the program.
  • To get on a waiting list, you must contact JHA directly by phone, mail, or in person — there is no online process portal.
  • Income limits vary by program and family size, and JHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, and proof of residency to verify your income.
  • If you are already in JHA housing, maintenance requests and rent questions go directly to JHA's property management office, not to a separate landlord.
  • JHA's waiting lists open and close based on demand; you can call to ask whether a list is currently open before making the trip to their office.

How to Contact Jacksonville Housing Authority

JHA's main office is at 1700 San Marco Avenue, Jacksonville, FL 32207. You can reach them by phone at (904) 366-8600 during business hours, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays. If you are calling to ask whether a waiting list is open, have your household size and approximate annual income ready — staff can tell you in a few minutes whether you meet the basic income threshold.

You can also visit the office in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face. Mail inquiries take longer and are not recommended if you are trying to get on a waiting list quickly, since JHA processes mail applications in the order received and may take weeks to respond. If you have a specific question about an existing case or a maintenance issue in JHA housing, ask for the property management department when you call.

Housing Choice Voucher Program Waiting List

The Housing Choice Voucher Program gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at any private apartment or house where the landlord agrees to participate. You pay the difference between what the voucher covers and the actual rent. The waiting list for this program in Jacksonville is typically several years long, meaning you may wait two to five years before receiving a voucher, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers JHA receives from the federal government each year.

To get on the waiting list, contact JHA and ask to be added. You will need to provide your name, address, phone number, household composition (number of people and their ages), and approximate household income. JHA will tell you whether the list is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen — JHA periodically opens the list for a set period, then closes it again. You can call back periodically to check the status.

Once you are on the waiting list and your name comes up, JHA will contact you to complete a full process. At that point you will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns from the past two years, proof of residency, and identification for all household members. The process from initial contact to receiving a voucher typically takes several weeks if all documents are in order.

Public Housing Waiting List

JHA owns and operates public housing apartments and townhomes throughout Jacksonville. Public housing is different from a voucher program because JHA is your landlord — you pay rent directly to JHA, and JHA is responsible for maintenance and repairs. The waiting list for public housing is also long, though sometimes shorter than the voucher list depending on the year and how many units are available.

Income limits for public housing are set by the federal government and vary by family size. For example, a family of four in Jacksonville may have an income limit around $50,000 to $55,000 per year, but this figure changes annually. Call JHA to ask the current income limit for your household size before explore. If your income is above the limit, you will not be added to the list.

Like the voucher program, you contact JHA to request an process for public housing. You will go through the same income verification process with recent pay stubs and tax returns. Once you are approved and a unit becomes available, JHA will offer you an apartment. You then sign a lease with JHA and begin paying rent based on a formula that is usually 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, though JHA may set a minimum rent.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

JHA uses Area Median Income (AMI) to set income limits for both programs. AMI is a federal figure that changes each year and varies by county. For Duval County, the current AMI is published by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), and JHA bases its limits on a percentage of that figure — usually 50 percent or 80 percent depending on the program.

Income limits are higher for larger households. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. JHA counts income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular sources. They do not count one-time payments or money from savings. If your income is borderline, bring documentation of all income sources when you explore — JHA will calculate your exact annual income and tell you whether you may have access to.

For public housing, your monthly rent is typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a minimum rent set by JHA (often $50 to $100 per month). For the voucher program, your portion of rent depends on the voucher amount and the actual rent charged by the landlord. JHA will explain the exact calculation once you receive a voucher.

Documents You Will Need

When you explore to either program, JHA will ask for the same core documents. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, and a photo ID. If you receive benefits like Social Security or unemployment, bring the award letter or benefit statement showing the monthly amount. If you are self-employed, bring profit-and-loss statements or business tax returns.

You will also need proof of residency in Jacksonville or Duval County — a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency with your current address. If you have a co-signer or someone else in your household, bring their ID and income documents as well. JHA may also ask for references from previous landlords if you have rented before. Bring everything in one visit if possible, because incomplete applications delay the process.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once JHA approves you for a program, you enter an active status on the waiting list. For the voucher program, you will be called when a voucher becomes available. JHA will give you a voucher packet with instructions on how to search for an apartment, how to present the voucher to a landlord, and what happens next. You then have a set time period (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment and have it inspected by JHA before you move in.

For public housing, JHA will call you when a unit matching your family size becomes available. You will be offered a specific apartment, and if you accept it, you sign a lease and move in. If you turn down an offer, you stay on the waiting list but may move down in priority. JHA will explain the lease terms, your rent amount, and your responsibilities as a tenant before you sign.

After you move in, you are responsible for paying rent on time each month. If you live in public housing, call JHA's maintenance line to report repairs. If you have a voucher, you pay your landlord directly, and your landlord is responsible for repairs (though JHA inspects the unit annually to make sure it meets housing quality standards).

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The waiting list is typically two to five years long, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available each year. Once your name is called and you complete the process process, approval usually takes four to eight weeks if all documents are in order. The total time from first contact to moving in is usually measured in years, not months.

Can I be on both the voucher waiting list and the public housing waiting list at the same time?

Yes. You can request to be added to both lists. If you are approved for one program before the other, you can accept it and ask JHA to remove you from the other list, or you can stay on both lists. Let JHA know your preference when you explore.

What if my income goes above the limit after I am approved?

JHA recertifies your income periodically, usually once a year. If your income rises above the limit, you may be required to leave the program or your rent may increase. Some programs have "income limits" that are hard stops, while others allow you to stay but charge higher rent. Ask JHA about their specific recertification policy when you explore.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher at any apartment in Jacksonville?

No. The landlord must be willing to participate in the program and accept the voucher. Many landlords do, but some do not. JHA can provide a list of landlords who have previously accepted vouchers, but you can also approach any landlord and ask whether they will accept one. The apartment must also pass JHA's housing quality inspection before you can move in.

What if I need to report a maintenance problem in JHA housing?

Call JHA's maintenance line at (904) 366-8600 and select the option for maintenance requests. Describe the problem and provide your unit number and address. JHA will schedule a repair visit. For emergencies like no heat in winter or a water leak, ask to speak to an emergency dispatcher. Do not contact a private landlord — JHA is your landlord if you live in public housing.