What the Roanoke Housing Authority Does

The Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority (RRHA) is the local public housing agency for Roanoke, Virginia. It owns and manages public housing units, administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, and runs other rental information programs for low-income households in the city. RRHA is the single point of contact for most federal housing programs in Roanoke — if you need public housing or a voucher, you go through them.

RRHA operates independently from the city government, though it receives federal funding through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The agency maintains its own waiting lists, sets its own income limits within federal guidelines, and makes decisions about who receives housing information in Roanoke.

Key Takeaways

  • RRHA manages both public housing units and Section 8 vouchers; you must contact them directly to learn which programs have open waiting lists.
  • Most RRHA programs have closed waiting lists, meaning you cannot add your name until the list reopens — the agency announces reopenings on its website and through local media.
  • You can reach RRHA by phone at (540) 985-1900 or visit their office at 2624 Salem Turnpike, Roanoke, VA 24014 to ask about current openings and required documents.
  • Income limits and rent calculations vary by program and family size; RRHA staff can tell you whether your household income falls within the range for any open program.
  • If RRHA's waiting list is closed, ask about emergency rental information through the city or county, which may have separate funding and different may be able to access rules.

How to Contact RRHA and Check Waiting List Status

The fastest way to find out whether RRHA has an open waiting list is to call their main office at (540) 985-1900. Staff can tell you in one call which programs are currently accepting new names and what documents you need to bring. Phone hours vary, so it is worth calling during business hours on a weekday.

You can also visit RRHA in person at 2624 Salem Turnpike, Roanoke, VA 24014. Walking in allows you to pick up process forms and ask questions face-to-face, though you may wait. RRHA's website is www.rrha.org, where the agency posts updates about waiting list openings and program changes.

If you cannot reach RRHA by phone, the city of Roanoke's 211 service (dial 211 from any phone) can also tell you about housing programs and may have contact information for other local information. However, 211 cannot enroll you in RRHA programs — you must contact RRHA directly.

What Documents You Will Need

RRHA requires proof of identity, income, and residency before you can be placed on a waiting list. Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card) and proof that you live in Roanoke — a utility bill, lease, or recent mail from a government agency all work. You will also need to show your income for the past 30 days, which usually means recent pay stubs or a letter from your employer.

If you are unemployed, self-employed, or receiving benefits, bring documentation of that income instead: unemployment statements, tax returns, Social Security statements, or letters from benefit programs. RRHA will ask for your Social Security number and will run a background check and credit check as part of the process.

Bring documents for every person in your household, including children. If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodations during the process process, tell RRHA staff when you call or visit — they are required to provide them.

Understanding RRHA's Waiting Lists and How They Work

RRHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and for Section 8 vouchers. Public housing means you live in a building owned by RRHA; Section 8 means you find your own rental unit and RRHA pays a portion of the rent to your landlord. Both waiting lists are often closed, meaning RRHA is not adding new names until current applicants have been served.

When a waiting list is open, RRHA adds your name in the order applications are received. The agency then contacts you when a unit or voucher becomes available. This can take months or years, depending on how many people are ahead of you and how quickly units turn over. RRHA will contact you by phone or mail, so keep your contact information current.

If you are on a waiting list and your circumstances change — your address, phone number, income, or family size — contact RRHA when ready to update your file. Failing to respond to RRHA's contact attempts or not updating your information can result in removal from the list.

Income Limits and How Rent Is Calculated

RRHA sets income limits based on federal guidelines and family size. These limits change yearly and vary between public housing and Section 8 programs. For example, a family of four might have a different income limit than a single person, and the limit for public housing might differ from the limit for vouchers. Call RRHA to ask what the current limit is for your household size.

If you are accepted into public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your monthly income, with a minimum rent set by RRHA (usually $50 to $100 per month). If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you pay 30 percent of your income toward rent, and RRHA pays the difference between your share and the actual rent, up to a limit called the "payment standard."

RRHA recalculates your rent annually based on your reported income. If your income increases, your rent increases; if it decreases, your rent decreases. You must report income changes to RRHA within 30 days.

What to Do If RRHA's Waiting List Is Closed

If RRHA is not accepting new applications, you have other options. The city of Roanoke and Roanoke County both run emergency rental information programs that may have open funding. These programs are separate from RRHA and have different may be able to access rules — you may not may have access to for RRHA but could may have access to for emergency information, or vice versa.

Contact the City of Roanoke's Department of Human Services at (540) 853-2000 to ask about rental information. You can also call 211 and ask specifically about emergency rental funds in Roanoke. These programs typically cover rent you already owe rather than future rent, and they move faster than RRHA's waiting lists.

Another option is to contact local nonprofits that work with low-income renters, such as the Roanoke Redevelopment and Housing Authority's own community programs or organizations listed on the city's website. Some nonprofits maintain their own rental information funds or can connect you to other resources.

How RRHA Makes Decisions About Your process

RRHA reviews your income, background, and rental history to decide whether to place you on a waiting list. The agency will check your credit and criminal history. A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but RRHA has the right to deny housing based on certain convictions or ongoing criminal activity. If you have concerns about your background, ask RRHA staff what their policy is before you explore.

RRHA will also contact previous landlords to verify that you paid rent on time and did not damage the property. If you have an eviction on your record, RRHA may deny you, though some agencies make exceptions if the eviction was years ago or if you can show it was resolved. Ask RRHA directly about their eviction policy.

Once you are on a waiting list, RRHA will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. You will have a limited time to respond — usually a few days. If you do not respond, RRHA may remove you from the list and move to the next person.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a voucher or apartment from RRHA?

There is no set timeline. It depends on how many people are ahead of you on the waiting list and how quickly units become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. RRHA can give you a rough estimate based on current turnover when you explore.

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

Yes. You can explore for both programs if both lists are open. However, once you are offered housing or a voucher through one program, you must accept or decline it — you cannot hold a spot on both lists indefinitely.

What if I move out of Roanoke while I am on the waiting list?

Contact RRHA when ready and update your address. If you move outside Roanoke, you may be removed from the list, since RRHA serves only Roanoke residents. Some voucher programs allow you to move to other areas, but you must ask RRHA about portability before you relocate.

Does RRHA help with utilities or other housing costs besides rent?

RRHA's main programs cover rent only. However, the city and county may have separate utility information programs. Call 211 or the city's Department of Human Services to ask about heating, cooling, or water bill help.

What if I think RRHA made a mistake on my process or denied me unfairly?

Ask RRHA for a written explanation of the decision. Federal law requires RRHA to tell you why you were denied and to give you a chance to appeal. Contact RRHA's office to request an appeal form and the important date for submitting it.