What the Housing Authority of New Haven does

The Housing Authority of New Haven (HANH) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in New Haven, Connecticut. It operates public housing developments and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps low-income residents pay rent at privately owned apartments. HANH does not build or finance new housing — it manages existing properties and distributes federal rental information to people who meet income limits.

The agency serves as the local connection between federal housing programs and New Haven residents. If you are looking for affordable rental housing or have questions about how public housing or vouchers work in New Haven specifically, HANH is the office that handles applications, lease agreements, and ongoing tenant services.

Key Takeaways

  • HANH manages public housing apartments in New Haven and administers Section 8 vouchers that help pay rent at private landlord properties.
  • Income limits explore to both public housing and vouchers, and they vary by household size — you can ask HANH for current limits before you explore.
  • Public housing waitlists in New Haven are typically long, and HANH maintains a single combined list for all its developments.
  • Section 8 vouchers are also limited in number, and HANH opens its waitlist only when funding allows, which may not be every year.
  • You can contact HANH directly by phone or in person to ask about current openings, income requirements, and what documents you will need.

Public housing managed by HANH

HANH owns and operates several public housing developments across New Haven. These are apartment buildings where HANH is the landlord. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, which means it adjusts if your income changes. You must meet income limits to move in, and your income is recertified each year.

Public housing is not temporary — you can stay as long as you meet the lease terms and income limits. However, waitlists for public housing in New Haven are long, and HANH maintains a single waiting list for all its developments. The time from process to move-in can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

HANH also administers the Section 8 program, which gives you a voucher to use at a privately owned apartment. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and HANH pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference, which is typically 30 percent of your income.

Section 8 vouchers are portable within Connecticut and in some cases across state lines, meaning you can move and keep using the same voucher at a new apartment. However, the number of vouchers HANH has is limited by federal funding. HANH opens its Section 8 waitlist only when it has vouchers available, and the list closes when funding runs out. This means you may not be able to explore every year.

Income limits and who can explore

Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers have income limits based on the area median income for the New Haven region. Limits vary by household size — a single person has a different limit than a family of four. HANH updates these limits annually, usually in the spring.

Income limits change year to year, so you should contact HANH directly to learn the current thresholds for your household size. You will also need to provide proof of income when you explore, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer. If you receive benefits, those count as income too.

How to contact HANH and explore

The Housing Authority of New Haven is located at 360 Orange Street, New Haven, CT 06510. You can reach them by phone at (203) 498-6400 during business hours. When you call, you can ask whether the public housing waitlist or Section 8 waitlist is currently open, what the income limits are for your household size, and what documents you need to bring.

If you want to explore, HANH will give you an process form and tell you what proof of income and identification to bring. You can explore in person or, in some cases, by mail. The agency will put you on the appropriate waitlist and contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available.

Waitlist status and what to expect

After you explore, HANH will give you a confirmation and a position on the waitlist. You can call to check your status, though the agency may not have a specific timeline for when units will open. Waitlists can be very long — sometimes years — depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many apartments or vouchers become available.

If your contact information changes, you should notify HANH so they can reach you when something opens up. Some applicants move away or no longer need housing, which moves others up the list. It is normal for the wait to be long, and you should not assume you will hear back quickly.

Other resources in New Haven

If HANH's waitlist is closed or the wait is too long, other organizations in New Haven may help. The city's Department of Housing, Community Development, and Neighborhood Services can point you toward other affordable housing programs. Community nonprofits like the Community Alliance for Fair Employment (CAFE) and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority also work on affordable housing in the region.

You can also call 211 Connecticut, a free referral line, to ask about rental information, emergency housing, or other housing programs in New Haven. They can tell you which programs are currently open and what you need to bring when you contact them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a public housing apartment or Section 8 voucher from HANH?

There is no set timeline. It depends on how many people are on the waitlist ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. HANH can tell you your position on the list when you call, but they cannot predict when an opening will come.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waitlists at once. If you get offered public housing first, you can accept it and ask HANH to remove you from the Section 8 list, or vice versa. Let HANH know if your situation changes so they can update your file.

What if my income goes up after I move into public housing?

Your income is recertified every year. If it rises above the limit, you will be given time to move out, but you will not be evicted when ready. HANH will explain the timeline and your options. Some people transition to Section 8 or market-rate housing at that point.

Does HANH help with security deposits or moving costs?

HANH does not typically pay security deposits or moving costs. However, other organizations in New Haven, such as community action agencies or nonprofits, may offer emergency information for move-in costs. Call 211 Connecticut to ask what programs might help.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

HANH has policies about criminal history and past evictions, but they do not automatically disqualify you. Contact HANH directly to discuss your situation. They can explain what they look at and whether you can still explore. Each case is reviewed individually.