What the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority does

The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale (HACFL) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing for low-income residents in Fort Lauderdale. It does not decide who gets housing in the city overall — it runs specific properties and programs. HACFL administers public housing units, Section 8 vouchers that help tenants pay rent at private landlords, and some mixed-income developments. If you live in or near Fort Lauderdale and need affordable rental housing, HACFL is one place to learn about options, but it is not the only one.

The agency is separate from the city government, though it receives city support. It answers to its own board and follows federal housing rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Understanding what HACFL actually runs — and what it does not — helps you know whether to contact them or look elsewhere for the housing situation you face.

Key Takeaways

  • HACFL manages public housing properties and Section 8 vouchers for low-income renters in Fort Lauderdale, but does not control all affordable housing in the area.
  • Public housing and Section 8 vouchers have separate waiting lists, and both typically have long delays before a unit or voucher becomes available.
  • You can contact HACFL directly to ask about current waiting list status, but the agency cannot tell you when your turn will come.
  • HACFL properties and voucher programs have income limits; if your household income exceeds the limit, you will not be able to use either program.
  • Other organizations in Fort Lauderdale — including nonprofits and the city's community development office — also help with affordable housing and may have shorter waiting periods.

Public housing properties HACFL owns and operates

HACFL owns and manages apartment buildings and housing communities throughout Fort Lauderdale. These are properties where the agency itself is the landlord. Rent is set based on your household income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income — rather than market rate. To live in a HACFL public housing property, you must meet income limits that vary by household size and are updated yearly by HUD.

Public housing has a waiting list. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how often units become available. Some HACFL properties have waiting lists that are closed to new applications because the backlog is too large. You can contact HACFL to ask whether a specific property is accepting applications and what the current wait time is, but the agency cannot predict when a unit will open for you.

Living in HACFL public housing means your lease is with the Housing Authority, not a private landlord. HACFL handles maintenance, sets lease terms, and can evict you if you violate the lease. The agency also has rules about who can live in the unit and for how long, and your rent will change if your income changes.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work

HACFL also administers Section 8 vouchers, which work differently from public housing. A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that helps you pay rent at a private landlord's property. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and HACFL pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your income.

Section 8 gives you more choice than public housing because you can rent from any private landlord who accepts vouchers, rather than being limited to HACFL properties. However, the landlord must agree to participate in the program, and not all do. Section 8 also has income limits and a waiting list. Like public housing, the Section 8 waiting list can be closed or have a very long wait time.

If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you keep it as long as you remain income-may be able to access and follow program rules. You can move to a different apartment and take the voucher with you, as long as the new landlord accepts Section 8 and the rent is within the program's payment standard for your area.

Income limits and who can use HACFL programs

Both public housing and Section 8 vouchers have income limits set by HUD. These limits depend on your household size and are updated each year. For example, a household of one person might have a limit of around 50 percent of the area median income, while a household of four might have a higher limit. HACFL's website or a staff member can tell you the current limits for your household size.

If your household income is above the limit, you cannot use either HACFL public housing or Section 8 vouchers, even if you are on a waiting list. Income is calculated as gross monthly income before taxes. If your income changes and you fall below the limit, you may become may be able to access. If you are already in a HACFL program and your income rises above the limit, the agency will typically allow you to stay but may increase your rent or eventually require you to leave.

How to contact HACFL and what to expect

You can reach the Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale by phone, mail, or in person at their main office. Their phone number and office address are available on the HACFL website or through a local 211 call (dial 2-1-1 from any phone). When you call, have your household size and approximate annual income ready so staff can tell you whether you likely meet income limits.

HACFL staff can tell you whether waiting lists are open for public housing or Section 8, what the current wait time is (if known), and what documents you need to explore. They cannot tell you exactly when a unit or voucher will be available to you. Processing times vary widely depending on how many people are ahead of you and how often openings occur.

If you are on a waiting list, HACFL will contact you when something becomes available. Do not rely on the agency to reach you if your phone number or address changes — update your information with HACFL yourself to make sure they can find you.

Other housing resources in Fort Lauderdale

HACFL is not the only source of affordable housing in Fort Lauderdale. Nonprofit organizations, community development corporations, and the city's Community Development Department also manage affordable housing or help residents find it. Some of these programs have shorter waiting lists or different income limits than HACFL. A 211 call can connect you with other organizations in your area that work on housing.

If you need housing urgently and HACFL's waiting list is closed or very long, ask about emergency rental information, rapid rehousing programs, or transitional housing. These are separate from HACFL and may be available through the city, Broward County, or local nonprofits. Each has different rules about who can use it and how long you can stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a HACFL apartment or Section 8 voucher?

Wait times vary greatly and depend on how many people are ahead of you and how often units or vouchers become available. Some waiting lists have waits of several years; others may be closed entirely. HACFL can tell you the current average wait time when you call, but cannot predict when your turn will come.

Can I be on both the public housing waiting list and the Section 8 waiting list at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists, and you can explore to both. Being on one list does not affect your place on the other. However, once you receive either a public housing unit or a Section 8 voucher, you typically must leave the other waiting list.

What happens to my rent if my income goes up while I live in HACFL housing?

Your rent will increase because it is based on your household income. HACFL will recalculate your rent at your lease renewal or when you report the income change. If your income rises significantly above the program limit, HACFL may eventually require you to move, though policies vary.

Do I have to use a HACFL property if I get a Section 8 voucher?

No. A Section 8 voucher lets you rent from any private landlord who accepts the program. You are not limited to HACFL properties. The landlord must agree to participate in Section 8, and the rent must fall within the program's payment standard for your area.

What if HACFL's waiting list is closed?

If HACFL's waiting list is closed, you cannot explore to that program at this time. Contact HACFL or call 211 to ask when the list might reopen, or explore other affordable housing programs in Fort Lauderdale through nonprofits and the city's Community Development Department.