What the Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa does

The Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa (HACT) is a public agency that runs affordable housing programs in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It manages public housing units, administers vouchers that help people rent from private landlords, and handles emergency information for people facing eviction or homelessness. HACT is not a landlord you call to rent an apartment — it is the government body that funds and oversees the programs that make affordable housing possible in the city.

HACT operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That means the programs it runs, the income limits that explore, and the way it processes requests all follow federal guidelines, though HACT makes decisions about how to run those programs locally. If you are looking for affordable housing in Tulsa, HACT is where most of those programs start.

Key Takeaways

  • HACT runs public housing, voucher programs, and emergency rental information — three separate programs with different rules and waiting lists.
  • You contact HACT directly to learn which programs have openings and what documents you need to provide.
  • Income limits vary by program and by family size, and HACT will tell you whether you meet them when you reach out.
  • Waiting lists for public housing and vouchers can be long, and HACT opens and closes them depending on how many people are waiting.
  • HACT's main office is in Tulsa, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current programs and openings.

Public housing units managed by HACT

HACT owns and operates public housing buildings throughout Tulsa. These are apartments and townhomes where the rent is set based on your income — typically 30 percent of what your household earns each month. If you live in HACT public housing, HACT is your landlord, and you pay rent directly to HACT.

Public housing has an income limit to move in, but once you are a resident, your rent adjusts if your income changes. HACT conducts a lease renewal and income recertification every year. The waiting list for public housing in Tulsa can be long, and HACT opens and closes it based on how many people are waiting and how many units become available.

Housing vouchers (Section 8)

HACT also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8. This program gives you a voucher that you take to a private landlord — the landlord does not work for HACT, but HACT pays part of your rent directly to them. You pay the rest. The voucher covers the difference between what you can afford (30 percent of your income) and the actual rent, up to a limit HACT sets for your area.

The voucher program lets you choose where to live in Tulsa, as long as the landlord is willing to rent to you and the unit meets HACT's standards. Like public housing, the voucher waiting list can be long and HACT opens and closes it periodically. Once you have a voucher, you keep it as long as you stay within income limits and follow program rules.

Emergency rental information and eviction prevention

HACT sometimes administers emergency rental information funds that pay landlords directly to cover back rent or help prevent eviction. These funds come from federal grants and are not permanent — they open when money is available and close when it runs out. Emergency information typically covers rent you already owe rather than rent coming due, and you usually need a signed lease and proof of a recent hardship to be considered.

If HACT is running an emergency rental program, you can contact them to learn whether the fund is currently open and what documents to bring. Response times vary depending on how many people are explore and how much money is available.

How to contact HACT and what to bring

The Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa has a main office in Tulsa where you can call or visit. When you reach out, tell them which program you are interested in — public housing, a voucher, or emergency information — and they will tell you whether that program is currently taking new people and what documents you need.

Generally, HACT will ask for proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of identity, and proof of residency in Tulsa. If you are explore for emergency information, you will also need a signed lease and documentation of the hardship. HACT staff can tell you the exact list when you call, because requirements can change depending on which program and which funding source is involved.

You can find HACT's phone number and office address through the City of Tulsa's website or by searching online for "Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa." Many people start by calling to ask whether a waiting list is open before going in person.

Income limits and how they work

Each HACT program has an income limit based on the federal poverty guidelines, adjusted for family size and updated yearly. A family of four might have a different limit than a single person, and the limits change each year. HACT will tell you whether your household income falls within the limit for the program you are interested in.

For public housing and vouchers, your income is recertified every year. If your income rises above the limit, you may have to leave the program or your rent may increase. If your income drops, your rent adjusts downward. Emergency information programs sometimes have different income rules, so ask HACT about the specific program you are considering.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and the voucher program have waiting lists in Tulsa. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available. Some waiting lists move quickly; others can take months or years. HACT can tell you roughly how long the wait is when you call.

HACT periodically closes waiting lists when they become too long, then reopens them when units or vouchers open up. If the list is closed when you call, ask HACT when it might reopen. Some people check back every few months to see if a list has reopened.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money for HACT programs?

Call HACT and tell them your household size and total monthly income. They will tell you whether you are within the income limit for each program. Income limits change yearly, so even if you were over the limit last year, you might be within it now.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists, and you can be on both. Some people prefer a voucher because they choose their own apartment, while others prefer public housing because the rent is based on income. Being on both lists gives you options.

What happens if I get a voucher but cannot find a landlord who will accept it?

HACT staff can sometimes help you find landlords who participate in the program. You can also search online for landlords in Tulsa who accept vouchers. If you have trouble after a reasonable search, contact HACT to discuss your options — some programs have rules about how long you have to find a unit.

Does HACT help with utilities or other costs besides rent?

HACT's main programs cover rent. Some emergency information funds may cover utilities if they are part of the rental agreement, but this varies. Ask HACT about what their current emergency program covers if you need help with more than rent.

Can I move to a different apartment if I have a voucher?

Yes. One advantage of the voucher program is that you can move to a different unit or neighborhood as long as the new landlord accepts vouchers and the rent is within HACT's limit for your area. You do not need HACT's permission to move, but you do need to notify them and complete a lease transfer process.