What the Housing Authority of Southern Nevada does

The Housing Authority of Southern Nevada (HASN) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas. It does not build or own most of the housing it manages — instead, it pays landlords to rent units to low-income households, and it administers public housing developments it does own. If you live in Las Vegas and need affordable housing, HASN is the body that determines what programs you might enter and how long you wait.

HASN operates three main programs: Section 8 vouchers (which pay part of your rent at a private landlord's property), public housing (apartments HASN owns directly), and project-based vouchers (subsidies tied to specific buildings rather than to you). The agency also runs emergency information programs during declared disasters. Understanding which program fits your situation and how to move through the waiting list is the first step.

Key Takeaways

  • HASN manages Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and project-based vouchers in Clark County, and you must contact HASN directly to learn which programs are currently open.
  • Most HASN programs have waiting lists that can be years long, and the list is usually closed — you can only add your name when HASN opens it.
  • You can reach HASN by phone at (702) 671-3700 or visit their office in person; online applications are not available for most programs.
  • HASN requires proof of income, residency, citizenship or legal immigration status, and a background check for all programs.
  • If you are experiencing homelessness or a housing crisis, contact the Southern Nevada Homeless Services Center or 211 Nevada for when ready resources outside HASN's normal waiting list process.

How to contact HASN and find out what is open

HASN's main office is located at 1001 South Valley View Boulevard, Las Vegas, Nevada 89107. You can call (702) 671-3700 during business hours (usually Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) to ask which programs are currently accepting names for the waiting list. Because waiting lists open and close based on funding and turnover, the status changes — calling is the only way to know whether you can add your name today.

If you prefer to visit in person, bring a photo ID and be prepared to wait. HASN staff can tell you what documents you will need to bring back when you are ready to complete the intake process. Some people call first to confirm the office is not closed for a holiday or emergency, then visit the next day with their paperwork ready.

HASN does not maintain an online portal where you can check waiting list status or submit documents remotely for most programs. This means you will need to call or visit to get current information — do not rely on information from other websites about whether a list is open, because that status changes.

Documents you will need to bring

HASN requires the same core documents for all its programs. Bring originals or certified copies, not photocopies, because staff will verify them on the spot. The list includes a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card), proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, tax return, or W-2), and proof of current address (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency dated within the last 60 days).

You will also need to prove your income. Bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a letter from your employer on company letterhead, or tax returns if you are self-employed. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of job searches or a letter from a job training program. HASN uses income to determine whether you meet the low-income threshold and to calculate how much rent you will pay.

Finally, bring proof of citizenship or legal immigration status. This means a birth certificate, passport, naturalization certificate, or immigration documents (green card, work permit, or visa). HASN is required by federal law to verify this before you can enter a program. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, ask HASN staff which programs you may still be able to enter, because some have different rules.

How waiting lists work at HASN

When you add your name to a HASN waiting list, you do not move to the top based on how long you have waited. Instead, HASN uses a preference system that prioritizes certain households. Families with children, elderly people (usually 62 and older), and people with disabilities typically move ahead of single adults without disabilities. Homelessness is also a preference in some programs. Ask HASN staff which preferences explore to the program you are entering.

Waiting times vary widely. Section 8 vouchers in Las Vegas have had waiting lists of several years in recent years, though this changes as people leave the program and new vouchers become available. Public housing waiting lists are sometimes shorter, but that depends on how many units HASN owns and how many people are ahead of you. When you call HASN, ask them to estimate how long the current wait is — they track this and can give you a realistic number.

While you are on the waiting list, HASN may ask you to update your information every year or every two years. If you move, change your phone number, or your income changes significantly, tell HASN right away. If HASN tries to contact you and cannot reach you, you may be removed from the list. Keep your contact information current.

What happens when HASN calls your name

When it is your turn, HASN will contact you by phone or mail to schedule an appointment. At that appointment, you will complete a full intake interview and provide the documents listed above. HASN will verify your information, run a background check, and check your rental history. This process usually takes two to four weeks.

HASN will also calculate your income limit and the rent you will pay. For Section 8, you typically pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest (up to a limit set by the program). For public housing, rent is also based on income. If your income is too high, you may be removed from the program or placed on a different waiting list.

If you are approved, HASN will issue you a voucher (for Section 8) or assign you to a unit (for public housing). For Section 8, you then have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord who will accept the voucher. Not all landlords participate, so this step can take work. HASN staff can provide a list of landlords who have worked with the program before.

Background checks and criminal history

HASN runs a background check on everyone who enters a program. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions do. Federal law prohibits HASN from housing anyone convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in the last 10 years. HASN also has discretion to deny housing based on other drug convictions, violent crimes, or a history of lease violations.

If you have a criminal history, ask HASN staff during your intake appointment what their policy is. Some convictions are older and may not be held against you. Others may require a waiting period. Being honest about your history is better than having HASN discover it during the background check — if you disclose it yourself, you have a chance to explain the circumstances.

If HASN denies you based on your background, you have the right to request a hearing. HASN will provide information about how to appeal during the denial process. You can also ask HASN to reconsider if your circumstances have changed significantly since the conviction.

If you are in a housing crisis right now

HASN's waiting lists are long, and you may not reach the top for months or years. If you are homeless, facing eviction, or living in unsafe conditions, do not wait for HASN. Instead, contact the Southern Nevada Homeless Services Center at (702) 455-1234 or call 211 Nevada (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). Both can connect you to emergency shelter, rapid rehousing programs, and rental information that moves faster than HASN's waiting list.

If you have received an eviction notice, tell your landlord when ready that you are on HASN's waiting list and have applied for information. Some landlords will hold off on filing if they know help is coming. You can also contact a legal aid organization like the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada to understand your rights and explore options to stop the eviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on multiple HASN waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can add your name to the Section 8 list, the public housing list, and project-based voucher lists at the same time. When your name comes up on any of them, HASN will contact you. You do not have to choose one program and wait for it — explore to all of them that are open increases your chances of being called sooner.

What if I move out of Clark County while I am on the waiting list?

Tell HASN when ready. If you move outside Clark County, you will be removed from HASN's lists because the agency only serves that county. If you move to another part of Clark County, update your address with HASN so they can reach you. If you move to another state, you can explore to that state's housing authority, but you will start at the bottom of a new waiting list.

Do I have to pay an process fee to HASN?

No. HASN does not charge a fee to add your name to a waiting list or to complete an intake interview. If anyone claims to charge you to explore to HASN, that is a scam. Contact HASN directly or call 211 Nevada to report it.

What if my income increases after I am approved?

For Section 8, your rent will increase if your income goes up, but you will not be removed from the program unless your income exceeds the limit for the program. HASN recalculates rent annually. For public housing, the same rule applies — higher income means higher rent, but you stay in the program. Ask HASN staff what the income limit is for your program so you know when you might be at risk of losing the subsidy.

Can I transfer my Section 8 voucher if I move to another state?

Yes, but it requires HASN's permission and coordination with the housing authority in the state where you are moving. This is called a "portability" transfer. Contact HASN before you move to start the process. The receiving state's housing authority must have funding available, so there is no may provide the transfer will be approved, but you can request it.