What the Rochester Housing Authority does

The Rochester Housing Authority (RHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and rental information programs in Rochester, New York. It owns and manages apartment buildings where low-income households live, and it administers vouchers that let people rent from private landlords while the Authority pays part of the rent. The RHA does not set policy for the whole city — it operates under state and federal rules, and the City of Rochester has separate housing programs that work alongside it.

The Authority manages roughly 2,000 public housing units across Rochester and distributes housing choice vouchers (the modern name for Section 8) to roughly 4,000 households. It also runs a Family Self-Sufficiency program that pairs voucher holders with case managers to help them move toward financial independence. If you are looking for affordable housing in Rochester, the RHA is usually the first place to contact, but it is not the only source — the city also has emergency rental information, landlord incentive programs, and nonprofit housing developers.

Key Takeaways

  • The Rochester Housing Authority manages public housing apartments and housing choice vouchers, and you must be on a waiting list to access either one.
  • Public housing and vouchers both require your household income to fall below a set limit, which changes yearly and depends on family size.
  • Waiting lists for both programs are long — public housing can have a wait of several years, while voucher lists may be closed to new applicants.
  • You can contact the RHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about current waiting list status and what documents you need.
  • If you need help paying rent right now, the City of Rochester's emergency rental information program may move faster than the RHA's waiting lists.

How to contact the Rochester Housing Authority

The RHA's main office is located at 417 South Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604. You can reach them by phone at (585) 325-2000 during business hours, Monday through Friday. The office also accepts walk-in visitors, though calling ahead is often faster if you have a specific question.

When you call or visit, ask whether the waiting list for public housing or housing choice vouchers is currently open. Both lists close when demand is very high, and the RHA reopens them periodically. If a list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can request notification when it does. The staff can also tell you what documents you will need to bring if you decide to explore — typically proof of income, identification, and rental history.

Public housing through the Rochester Housing Authority

Public housing means apartments owned and operated by the RHA itself. The Authority owns buildings throughout Rochester, and rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, with a minimum rent that varies by property. You do not choose which building you live in — the RHA assigns units based on family size, accessibility needs, and availability.

To be considered for public housing, your household income must not exceed 80 percent of the area median income for Monroe County. That threshold changes every year. A family of four, for example, might have a limit around $50,000 to $55,000 annually, but you should confirm the current limit with the RHA because it shifts. You also need to pass a background check and provide references from previous landlords or housing providers.

The waiting list for public housing in Rochester is typically several years long. Some applicants wait three to five years or more before being offered a unit. During that time, your circumstances may change — if your income rises above the limit, you may be removed from the list, so you should report major changes to the RHA.

Housing choice vouchers (Section 8) in Rochester

A housing choice voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent an apartment from a private landlord while the RHA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent, usually 30 percent of your income. The voucher amount is set by the RHA based on the size of your family and the neighborhood where you want to live.

The income limits for vouchers are the same as for public housing — your household must fall below 80 percent of area median income. You also need a valid lease with a private landlord, and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher. Not all landlords participate in the program, so finding a unit can take time even after you receive a voucher.

The voucher waiting list in Rochester is often closed because demand far exceeds the number of vouchers available. When the list is open, the RHA typically accepts applications for a limited period — sometimes a few weeks or months. If you miss that window, you may have to wait years for the list to open again. Call the RHA to find out the current status.

What happens after you are offered a unit or voucher

If the RHA offers you public housing, you will have a set amount of time — usually 10 to 14 days — to accept or decline. If you accept, you will sign a lease and pay a move-in fee (usually the first month's rent plus a security deposit). The RHA will conduct a move-in inspection of the unit, and you are responsible for maintaining it and following the lease terms.

If you receive a housing choice voucher, you have a longer period — typically 60 to 120 days — to find a private apartment. You search on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a lease, you submit it to the RHA for approval. The RHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards, and if it passes, the voucher becomes active and the landlord begins receiving payments.

Other housing resources in Rochester

The RHA is not the only source of affordable housing help in Rochester. The City of Rochester runs an emergency rental information program that can pay back rent or upcoming rent if you have lost income due to job loss, illness, or other hardship. That program often moves faster than the RHA's waiting lists because it does not have the same income limits or background check requirements.

The city also has a landlord incentive program that encourages property owners to rent to low-income households by offering tax credits or other benefits. Several nonprofit organizations, including Spiritus Christi Housing and the Ibero-American Action League, develop and manage affordable apartments outside the public housing system. If you need housing urgently, exploring these options alongside the RHA can give you more paths forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get public housing or a voucher from the Rochester Housing Authority?

Public housing waiting lists in Rochester typically run three to five years or longer, depending on the type of unit you need. Housing choice voucher lists are often closed, and when they reopen, the wait can be several years as well. The RHA can tell you the current average wait time when you call.

What if my income is too high for the Rochester Housing Authority?

If your household income exceeds 80 percent of area median income, you do not meet the RHA's income limits. You may still find affordable housing through nonprofit developers, private landlords offering below-market rent, or by looking in neighborhoods with lower rents. The city's 211 service can refer you to other housing resources.

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists simultaneously, and if you are offered one before the other, you can accept it and remain on the second list. If you later receive the second offer, you can decline it or accept it depending on your situation at that time.

What if a landlord refuses to accept my housing choice voucher?

Landlords cannot legally refuse a voucher based on the fact that it is a voucher, but they can decline for other reasons — for example, if the unit does not pass inspection or if you do not meet their other tenant standards. If you believe you were discriminated against because of your race, national origin, disability, or other protected status, you can file a complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Does the Rochester Housing Authority help with utilities or other housing costs?

The RHA's main programs are housing itself — public apartments and vouchers. For help with utility bills, heating information, or other costs, contact the city's Department of Human Services or call 211 to be referred to local programs that address those needs.