What the Huntsville Housing Authority Does

The Huntsville Housing Authority (HHA) is a local government agency that manages public housing and rental vouchers in Madison County, Alabama. It does not build or own most of the housing it administers — instead, it pays private landlords to rent units to low-income households, and it runs public housing complexes it owns directly. The agency is separate from the city of Huntsville's planning department; it answers to its own board and operates on federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The HHA's main programs are public housing (apartments it owns and manages) and the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), which lets you rent from a private landlord and the HHA pays part of your rent. Both programs serve households below certain income limits. The HHA also administers Project-Based Vouchers, where the subsidy is tied to a specific building rather than to you as a tenant.

Key Takeaways

  • The Huntsville Housing Authority manages public housing it owns and the Housing Choice Voucher program, which pays private landlords on your behalf.
  • You must meet income limits set by HUD each year; limits vary by household size and are lower than many people expect.
  • Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists, and the HHA opens and closes them based on how many people are waiting and how much funding it has.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a background check; criminal history and eviction records may disqualify you.
  • The HHA office is located in Huntsville, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current waiting list status.

Income Limits and Who Can Participate

The Huntsville Housing Authority sets income limits based on HUD's area median income (AMI) for Madison County. Most programs serve households at or below 50% of AMI, though some Project-Based Vouchers serve households up to 60% AMI. For a single person, the limit is typically around $28,000 to $33,600 per year; for a family of four, around $40,000 to $48,000. These numbers change every year in April, so you should confirm the current limits with the HHA directly.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and unemployment benefits. The HHA counts gross income before taxes. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement, and the HHA will not place you on a waiting list. If your income falls below the limit when you explore, you move forward to the next step: verification of citizenship or legal residency, background check, and landlord references (for vouchers).

Public Housing vs. Housing Choice Vouchers

Public housing means you rent an apartment that the HHA owns. The HHA is your landlord. You pay a portion of your income as rent — typically 30% of your monthly income — and the HHA covers the rest from federal funds. The HHA maintains the building, handles repairs, and sets lease terms. Public housing in Huntsville includes several complexes; the largest are scattered throughout the city rather than concentrated in one area.

A Housing Choice Voucher means the HHA gives you a voucher (a document stating how much it will pay toward rent) and you find your own apartment from a private landlord who accepts the program. You pay your share of the rent directly to the landlord; the HHA pays its share to the landlord. You have more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to participate, and the unit must pass an HHA inspection. The voucher is portable — if you move to another city, you can transfer it to that city's housing authority, though you must request permission first.

Waiting lists for both programs are separate. Public housing may have a shorter wait in some cases; vouchers may have a longer one. The HHA will tell you the current wait time when you call or visit.

How to Get on the Waiting List

You must explore in person at the Huntsville Housing Authority office. The HHA does not accept mail-in or online applications for initial placement on the waiting list. Bring a photo ID and proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer or benefits agency). You will fill out an process form that asks about your household size, income, citizenship status, and housing history.

The HHA will ask whether you want to explore for public housing, a voucher, or both. You can request both, and you will be placed on separate waiting lists. After you submit your process, the HHA will schedule you for an interview to verify the information you provided. This interview usually happens within a few weeks, depending on how busy the office is.

Once you are on the waiting list, the HHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. This can take months or years, depending on the program and how many people are ahead of you. The HHA will call the phone number you provided on your process, so keep that number current and answer calls from unknown numbers.

Documents You Will Need

Bring originals or certified copies of the following to your process appointment:

  • Photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
  • Proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, bank statements showing deposits, or a letter from your employer or benefits agency)
  • Social Security card or proof of legal residency (green card, visa, or work permit)
  • Proof of citizenship or legal residency status
  • References from previous landlords (if you have rented before)
  • Proof of any child support or alimony obligations

If you are unemployed, bring a letter from your unemployment office or a recent unemployment check. If you receive benefits, bring a benefits statement. The HHA will verify income directly with your employer or benefits agency, so the documents you bring are a starting point, not the final word.

Background Check and Disqualifying Factors

The Huntsville Housing Authority will run a criminal background check and check your eviction history. Certain convictions and evictions can disqualify you permanently or temporarily. Disqualifying factors include:

  • Eviction for non-payment of rent within the past three years (some programs allow exceptions if you can show the debt has been paid)
  • Drug-related convictions within the past three years
  • Violent crime convictions (permanent disqualification in most cases)
  • Sex offender registration
  • Outstanding warrants or active criminal cases

The HHA has some discretion to make exceptions for certain offenses if enough time has passed or if you can show rehabilitation. If you have a criminal record or eviction history, contact the HHA before explore to ask whether you may be disqualified. Honesty on your process is important — the HHA will find out anyway through the background check, and lying on the form is grounds for denial.

Waiting List Status and When Units Become Available

The Huntsville Housing Authority maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and vouchers. Your position on the list depends on the date you applied and, in some cases, on your priority status (for example, if you are homeless or living in substandard housing, you may be prioritized). The HHA does not publish how long the wait is, but you can call and ask for an estimate.

The HHA sometimes closes waiting lists when they become very long. If the list is closed, you cannot explore until it reopens. The office will tell you when that is expected to happen. Units and vouchers become available as current tenants move out or as funding allows the HHA to issue new vouchers. There is no way to speed up the process once you are on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore if I have a criminal record?

It depends on what the conviction is and how long ago it was. Drug convictions within three years usually disqualify you; violent crime convictions are typically permanent. Other offenses may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Call the HHA and describe your situation before you explore — they can tell you whether you are likely to be disqualified.

What if I am on the waiting list and my income goes up?

If your income exceeds the program limit, you will be removed from the waiting list. The HHA recertifies income annually, so if you get a raise or a new job, tell the HHA when ready. You may be able to stay in public housing or keep your voucher for a limited time (called "income limits"), but you will eventually have to move out or pay full market rent.

Can I transfer my voucher if I move out of Huntsville?

Yes, but you must request a transfer from the Huntsville Housing Authority before you move. The receiving city's housing authority must have funding available and must accept your voucher. Not all cities accept transfers, so contact the HHA in your new city first to confirm they will take you.

How long does it take to get approved once a unit or voucher is offered?

Once the HHA calls you with an offer, you usually have a few days to accept or decline. If you accept, the HHA will schedule a final inspection (for vouchers) or a lease signing (for public housing). The whole process from offer to move-in typically takes two to four weeks.

What is the Huntsville Housing Authority's phone number and office address?

Contact information changes and should be confirmed directly. Search online for "Huntsville Housing Authority" or call 211 (a free referral service) and ask for the HHA's current phone number and office location. The office is in Huntsville, Alabama, and serves Madison County.