What the Paterson Housing Authority does

The Paterson Housing Authority (PHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Paterson, New Jersey. It does not run emergency rental information, homelessness prevention, or other temporary aid programs — those come through the city's Department of Human Services or through county-level funds. The PHA's main job is managing long-term subsidized housing: either apartments it owns directly, or vouchers that let you rent from a private landlord while the authority pays part of your rent.

The authority is separate from the city government, though the city appoints its board. It has its own waiting lists, its own lease terms, and its own income limits. If you are looking for when ready help with rent you owe right now, the PHA is not the right place — you need emergency rental information instead. If you are looking for permanent affordable housing, the PHA is where you start.

Key Takeaways

  • The Paterson Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers, both of which require you to be on a waiting list that can be years long.
  • Your rent is based on 30 percent of your household income, and the authority pays the rest, but you must meet income limits that vary by household size.
  • You explore in person at the PHA office on Main Street in Paterson, and you will need proof of income, residency, and identity for yourself and anyone in your household.
  • The waiting list for public housing and Section 8 vouchers are separate — you can be on both at the same time, but you explore to each one independently.
  • If you need help right now with rent you already owe, contact the city's Department of Human Services or call 211 for emergency rental information instead.

Where the Paterson Housing Authority office is located

The main office is at 33 Main Street, Paterson, NJ 07505. This is where you go to explore for public housing or Section 8 vouchers, and where you handle lease issues, rent disputes, or maintenance requests if you are already a resident. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though you should call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need an appointment.

The phone number is (973) 321-7362. If you cannot reach anyone, try calling the city's Department of Human Services at (973) 881-4500 — they can sometimes direct you to the right department or tell you if the waiting list is currently open. Do not assume the waiting list is closed just because you cannot reach someone on the first call; try again on a different day or ask to speak with the intake department specifically.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

Public housing means you live in an apartment that the Paterson Housing Authority owns. The authority is your landlord. You sign a lease with the PHA, and the PHA is responsible for maintenance, repairs, and building management. Your rent is 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum rent (usually around $50 to $100 per month, depending on the authority's policy). The authority covers the rest of the cost to operate the building.

Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own apartment from a private landlord, and the authority pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay 30 percent of your income, and the voucher covers the difference up to a limit called the payment standard. The payment standard varies by bedroom size and changes each year — for example, a two-bedroom might have a payment standard of $1,200, meaning the voucher covers up to $1,200 and you pay the rest if the rent is higher. You are responsible for finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and the landlord must pass a PHA inspection.

Both have waiting lists. Both require you to meet income limits. The waiting lists are separate, so you can explore to both, but you will be on two different queues. Public housing typically has a longer wait because there are fewer apartments; Section 8 waiting lists also run years long in most New Jersey cities, including Paterson.

Income limits and what you pay

The Paterson Housing Authority sets income limits based on household size and the area median income for the Paterson area. These limits change each year. For example, a household of one might have a limit around $35,000 to $40,000 per year, and a household of four might be around $55,000 to $65,000, but these are estimates — you must check with the authority for the current year's limits.

Your rent is always 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. Adjusted gross income is not the same as your total income — the PHA deducts certain expenses like child care, medical costs for elderly or disabled household members, and sometimes utility costs. If your income is very low, you may pay a minimum rent instead, which is set by the authority (often $25 to $100 per month).

If your income rises after you move in, your rent will rise too, but usually not when ready — the PHA recertifies income once a year. If your income drops, you can request a recertification sooner. If you lose your job or have a major change in household income, contact the PHA and ask about an interim recertification.

Documents you need to explore

Bring originals or certified copies of the following to the PHA office:

  • Photo ID for the head of household (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
  • Proof of residency in Paterson (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency dated within the last 60 days)
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members age 18 and older (pay stubs, benefit letters, tax returns, or a letter from your employer on letterhead)
  • Social Security numbers for all household members
  • Birth certificates or proof of legal residency for all household members
  • If you are receiving benefits (TANF, SSI, SNAP), bring the most recent benefit letter
  • If you are self-employed, bring tax returns for the past two years

If you do not have all these documents, ask the PHA what you can substitute. Some documents can be obtained later, and the PHA may allow you to explore conditionally while you gather the rest. Do not wait until you have everything perfect — call and ask what the minimum is to start the process.

How long the waiting list is and what happens after you explore

The Paterson Housing Authority does not publish waiting list length publicly, so you must call (973) 321-7362 and ask directly. Waiting lists for public housing in New Jersey cities typically range from two to ten years, depending on the size of the authority and how many apartments turn over each year. Section 8 waiting lists are often shorter than public housing but still measured in years, not months.

After you explore, the PHA will send you a confirmation letter with your process number. Keep this letter. The authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, but this can take a very long time. Some authorities periodically close their waiting lists when they become too long; if the list is closed, you may have to wait for it to reopen, which can happen months or years later.

While you are waiting, your circumstances may change — your income may rise, you may move out of Paterson, or your household size may change. You are responsible for notifying the PHA of major changes. If you move away from Paterson, you may lose your place on the list, depending on the authority's rules.

If you need help right now instead of long-term housing

If you are behind on rent, facing eviction, or need help paying this month's rent, the Paterson Housing Authority cannot help you. You need emergency rental information, which is run by the city's Department of Human Services or through Passaic County programs.

Contact the city's Department of Human Services at (973) 881-4500 or call 211 (a free helpline that connects you to local aid programs). These programs can sometimes pay your landlord directly or help you avoid eviction while you wait for long-term housing. Emergency information moves much faster than the PHA waiting list — you may hear back in days or weeks rather than years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 if I am not a Paterson resident yet?

Most housing authorities require you to be a resident of their jurisdiction to explore. The Paterson Housing Authority likely requires proof of residency in Paterson. If you are planning to move to Paterson, call the PHA first to ask whether you can explore before you move, or whether you must wait until after you have a lease or utility bill in your name.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I move in?

You can stay in your apartment or keep your voucher for a limited time — usually one year — even if your income exceeds the limit. This is called over-income status. After that period, you must move out or the voucher ends. Some authorities allow you to stay longer if you pay the full market rent, but this varies. Ask the PHA about their over-income policy when you explore.

Can I transfer my Section 8 voucher to another city?

Yes, but it requires the PHA to port your voucher to the housing authority in the new city. The new authority must have funding available and must accept the port. This process can take several months. Contact the Paterson Housing Authority to start a port request, and contact the receiving authority to confirm they will accept it before you move.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

The PHA has the right to deny you based on criminal history or prior evictions, but they must follow federal guidelines and give you a chance to explain. Some offenses (drug manufacturing, sex offenses) are permanent bars; others may be considered if enough time has passed. Call the PHA and ask about their specific policy before you explore, so you know whether it is worth the effort.

How do I know if a landlord will accept my Section 8 voucher?

You have to ask. Not all landlords accept vouchers — some refuse because of the inspection requirements or because they prefer market-rate tenants. The PHA can sometimes provide a list of landlords who have accepted vouchers in the past, but this list may be outdated. Your best option is to search for apartments in Paterson and call or visit to ask directly whether they accept Section 8.