What the Housing Authority of New Orleans Does

The Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) is a public agency that owns and manages public housing in Orleans Parish and runs the Section 8 voucher program for the area. HANO does not decide who gets housing in the city overall — it manages specific properties and vouchers it controls. If you are looking for public housing or a Section 8 voucher in New Orleans, HANO is the body you contact directly.

HANO operates public housing developments (apartment complexes it owns) and administers Section 8 vouchers that let you rent from a private landlord with a subsidy. These are two separate programs with different waitlists, different income limits, and different process processes. Many people pursue both at the same time because waitlists are long and timelines are unpredictable.

Key Takeaways

  • HANO runs two separate programs — public housing (which HANO owns) and Section 8 vouchers (which you use at private landlords) — each with its own waitlist and rules.
  • Both programs have income limits based on household size, and HANO verifies income through tax returns, pay stubs, and other documents at the time you explore and every year after.
  • Waitlists for both programs are typically closed, and HANO opens them only when it has funding and staff capacity to process new applications.
  • You can contact HANO directly by phone, mail, or in person at their office to ask whether waitlists are open and what documents you need to bring.
  • If you are currently homeless or at when ready risk of homelessness, local nonprofits like the Homeless Services Network may have faster routes to emergency housing.

HANO Public Housing: What You Get and Who Qualifies

HANO public housing means you rent an apartment in a building HANO owns. HANO sets the rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though HANO can adjust this in some cases. You sign a lease with HANO, not a private landlord, and HANO handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing is permanent housing, not temporary, so you can stay as long as you meet lease terms and income limits.

To be considered for HANO public housing, your household income must fall below a certain threshold. The limit varies by household size and changes yearly. For example, a single person's income limit is lower than a family of four's limit. HANO will ask for recent tax returns, pay stubs, and proof of income from all household members. If you receive Social Security, unemployment, or other benefits, bring documentation of those too.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. HANO will verify this through documents like a birth certificate, passport, or green card. If anyone in your household is not a citizen, tell HANO during the process process — some mixed-status households may still be considered, but HANO needs to know upfront.

Section 8 Vouchers: How They Work in New Orleans

A Section 8 voucher is a monthly subsidy that HANO pays directly to a private landlord on your behalf. You find your own apartment from a landlord who accepts Section 8, and HANO pays a portion of the rent. You pay the difference out of pocket, usually 30 percent of your income. The voucher is portable — if you move to a different apartment, you can take it with you as long as the new landlord accepts Section 8.

Section 8 income limits are the same as public housing limits, and HANO verifies income the same way: recent tax returns, pay stubs, and benefit statements. You must also pass a background check and credit check. HANO will look at your rental history — if you have been evicted or have unpaid rent judgments, you may be denied, though HANO considers the circumstances and how long ago the incident occurred.

Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days, depending on HANO's current policy) to find an apartment and have the landlord sign a lease. If you do not find an apartment in that window, your voucher may be returned to HANO. After you move in, HANO conducts a housing inspection to make sure the unit meets safety and quality standards before they begin paying the landlord.

How to Contact HANO and Check Waitlist Status

HANO's main office is located in New Orleans, and you can reach them by phone during business hours to ask whether waitlists are open for public housing or Section 8. Waitlists are frequently closed because HANO has limited funding and staff. When a waitlist is closed, HANO will tell you when it expects to reopen it, though dates can shift.

You can also visit HANO's office in person to submit an process if a waitlist is open. Bring photo identification, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of residency in Orleans Parish, and Social Security numbers for all household members. If you are explore for public housing, also bring proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status.

HANO's contact information and office hours are available on their website or through 211, a free helpline that connects you to local housing and social services. You can also call 211 directly to ask whether HANO waitlists are currently open before you make the trip to their office.

Income Limits and Annual Recertification

HANO sets income limits each year based on the area median income for Orleans Parish. The limits are higher for larger households. If your household income exceeds the limit at the time you explore, you will not be considered. If your income rises after you move into public housing or receive a Section 8 voucher, HANO will recertify your income annually and may raise your rent or, in rare cases, terminate your information if you exceed the limit by a certain amount.

Every year, HANO will send you a recertification form asking for updated income information. You must return it by the important date with recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. If you do not recertify, HANO can terminate your lease or voucher. If your income has changed, report it honestly — HANO uses this information to adjust your rent contribution, not to punish you.

What Happens After You Are Approved

If HANO approves you for public housing, you will be placed on a priority list based on when you applied and your circumstances (for example, if you are homeless or have a disability, you may move up the list). HANO will contact you when a unit becomes available. You will have a limited time to accept or decline the unit. If you decline, you stay on the list but may lose priority.

If HANO approves you for a Section 8 voucher, you will receive the voucher and a packet of information about how to use it. You then have a set number of days to find an apartment. You can search online, contact landlords directly, or work with a real estate agent. Once you find a place and the landlord agrees to accept Section 8, HANO will inspect the unit and sign a lease addendum with you and the landlord.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are HANO's waitlists open right now?

Waitlist status changes frequently. Call HANO directly or dial 211 to ask whether public housing or Section 8 waitlists are currently open. If they are closed, ask when HANO expects to reopen them. You can also check HANO's website for the most recent update.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

If your income exceeds the limit, you will not be considered at that time. However, income limits change yearly, and your circumstances may change. You can reapply in the future if your income drops or if the limit increases. Ask HANO whether you can be placed on a future waitlist.

Can I have a criminal record and still get housing?

HANO conducts background checks and may deny you based on certain convictions, particularly drug-related offenses or crimes of violence. However, HANO considers the nature of the crime, how long ago it occurred, and your rehabilitation. If you have a record, disclose it when you explore — hiding it will result in automatic denial if discovered later.

What if I am currently homeless?

HANO prioritizes homeless applicants on its waitlist, but waitlists are often closed. Contact the Homeless Services Network or a local nonprofit like the New Orleans Workers' Center for Racial Justice to ask about emergency shelter or rapid rehousing programs that may move faster than HANO's waitlist.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waitlists and processes. explore for both increases your chances of receiving information sooner, since timelines are unpredictable. You can be on both waitlists simultaneously.