What the Jonesboro Housing Authority does

The Jonesboro Housing Authority is a local government agency that runs public housing and rental voucher programs in Jonesboro, Georgia. It does not provide emergency information, utility help, or homelessness services — it administers long-term rental programs for people who meet income limits. The Authority owns and manages public housing units directly, and it also distributes Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly called Section 8) that tenants use to rent from private landlords.

The Authority's main office is located in Jonesboro and handles applications, lease signings, inspections, and rent calculations. If you are looking for emergency rental help or utility information, you will need to contact your city or county social services department instead. The Authority's programs are designed for people who plan to stay in housing for at least one year.

Key Takeaways

  • The Jonesboro Housing Authority runs public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers; it does not provide emergency rent or utility information.
  • Both programs require your household income to fall below a set limit, which varies by family size and changes yearly.
  • Public housing has a waitlist; voucher programs also have waitlists that may be closed to new applications depending on funding.
  • You will need to provide proof of income, identity, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a background check.
  • The Authority's office can tell you whether waitlists are open and what documents to bring when you visit in person.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

The Jonesboro Housing Authority manages two separate programs. Public housing means the Authority owns the building and you pay rent to the Authority. Housing Choice Vouchers mean you find your own rental unit from a private landlord, and the Authority pays part of the rent directly to the landlord while you pay the rest.

Public housing is usually cheaper because rent is set at 30 percent of your household income. Vouchers give you more choice in where to live, but you have to find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and the landlord must pass an inspection. Both programs have waitlists. Public housing waitlists tend to be longer; voucher waitlists may be closed entirely when funding runs out.

If you are unsure which program fits your situation, the Authority's intake staff can explain the differences and tell you which waitlist is currently open. You do not have to choose between them — you can explore to both, though you can only receive information from one at a time.

Income limits and what you must prove

Both programs limit household income to 80 percent of the area median income for your family size. In Jonesboro, this means a single person might have a limit around $35,000 to $40,000 per year, and a family of four around $55,000 to $65,000 per year — but these numbers change annually, so you must ask the Authority for the current year's limits. Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and any other regular money your household receives.

When you explore, bring documents that prove your income for the past 30 days: recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, bank statements, or a Social Security award letter. If you are unemployed, bring a letter from the unemployment office or proof that you have applied. The Authority will also ask for proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), Social Security cards for all household members, and permission to run a background check.

If your income is above the limit, you will not be able to enter the program. If your income changes after you are accepted, you must report it to the Authority — failing to report increases can result in removal from the program.

how the process works and what happens next

Visit the Jonesboro Housing Authority office in person to explore. Bring the documents listed above: proof of income, identity, Social Security cards, and be prepared to sign a form authorizing a background check. The staff will give you an process form to complete on site or take home. Some programs allow online pre-registration, but you will still need to visit in person to submit documents and sign forms.

After you submit your process, the Authority will verify your income and run the background check. This process usually takes two to four weeks. You will be placed on a waitlist in the order your process was received. The Authority will contact you by phone or mail 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.

Once you are offered a unit or voucher, you will attend an orientation meeting where staff explain your responsibilities as a tenant, how rent is calculated, and what happens if you break the lease. For vouchers, you then have a set amount of time (usually 60 days) to find a rental unit that meets the program's standards and that the landlord will accept.

Background checks and criminal history

The Jonesboro Housing Authority will run a criminal background check on all adult household members. Certain convictions — particularly drug-related felonies, violent crimes, or sex offenses — can disqualify you. However, not every conviction is automatic disqualification. The Authority considers the type of crime, how long ago it occurred, and your circumstances since then.

If you have a criminal history, you can still explore. Disclose it honestly on your process. The Authority will make a decision based on their policies, which they can explain to you. If you are denied, you have the right to request a hearing to present your side of the story.

Rent calculation and what you pay

In public housing, your rent is 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income. If your household income is $1,500 per month, you pay $450 in rent. The Authority covers all utilities and maintenance. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, the calculation is more complex. The Authority sets a payment standard (the maximum amount it will pay toward rent) based on the size of unit you need and the local rental market. You find a unit, and if the rent is below the payment standard, you pay the difference. If the rent is above the payment standard, you pay the full difference out of pocket. Most voucher holders pay between $0 and $300 per month, depending on their income and the rent of the unit they choose.

In both programs, if your income changes, you must report it to the Authority within 10 days. Failure to report changes can result in overpayment, which you will be asked to repay, or removal from the program.

Waitlist status and how to check

The Jonesboro Housing Authority maintains separate waitlists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Waitlists can be open or closed. When a waitlist is closed, the Authority is not accepting new applications because it has more applicants than available units or vouchers. Waitlists reopen when funding becomes available or when units turn over.

To find out whether a waitlist is currently open, call the Authority's main office or visit in person. Staff can tell you the current status and, if the waitlist is open, what documents you need to bring to explore. Do not rely on information from websites or other sources — waitlist status changes, and the Authority's office is the only reliable source.

If a waitlist is closed, ask the Authority when it is expected to reopen. Some programs reopen on a set schedule; others reopen as funding allows. You can ask to be notified when the waitlist reopens, though not all programs offer this service.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a unit or voucher after I explore?

Waitlists vary. Public housing waitlists in Jonesboro can be one to three years or longer depending on demand. Voucher waitlists may move faster or may be closed entirely. The Authority can give you an estimate based on current waitlist length, but there is no may provide timeline.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

An eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but the Authority will consider it. Recent evictions (within the past two to three years) are viewed more seriously than older ones. Be honest about it on your process. The Authority will make a decision based on the circumstances and how long ago it happened.

Can I explore if I am currently homeless?

Yes. Bring whatever documents you can — a Social Security card, a letter from a shelter or social worker confirming your identity, or a government ID. The Authority understands that homeless applicants may not have all documents readily available and can work with you to gather them after you explore.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I am accepted?

You can stay in the program for a set period (usually one year) even if your income exceeds the limit. After that period, you must move out or your rent will increase to market rate. The Authority will notify you in writing when this happens and give you time to find other housing.

Can I use a voucher anywhere in Georgia or only in Jonesboro?

Housing Choice Vouchers issued by the Jonesboro Housing Authority can typically be used in Jonesboro and surrounding areas within Clayton County. Some vouchers can be used in other counties if you request a transfer, but this requires approval from the Authority and the receiving jurisdiction. Ask the Authority about portability rules before you accept a voucher.