What the Louisiana Housing Authority does

The Louisiana Housing Authority (LHA) is a state agency that runs public housing and rental information programs across Louisiana. It does not operate as a single statewide office — instead, LHA oversees local housing authorities in different regions, each serving their own area. The main programs LHA administers are public housing (apartments LHA owns and rents), Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly Section 8, which pays part of your rent at a private landlord's property), and emergency rental information during declared disasters.

LHA is not the same as your local housing authority. Your local authority — for example, the Housing Authority of New Orleans or the Shreveport Housing Authority — is the office you contact to explore for programs, report maintenance issues, or ask about waitlists. LHA sets policy and funding at the state level, but your local authority handles day-to-day operations in your city or parish.

Key Takeaways

  • Louisiana has multiple local housing authorities serving different regions; you contact the one in your city or parish, not a single statewide office.
  • Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers both have waitlists that can be years long, and many local authorities are not currently taking new applications.
  • Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from a private landlord instead of living in public housing, and LHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent.
  • After a federally declared disaster, LHA may open emergency rental information programs with different rules and faster processing than regular programs.
  • You can find your local housing authority's contact information and current waitlist status on the LHA website or by calling 211.

Finding your local housing authority

Louisiana has housing authorities in most major cities and parishes. The Housing Authority of New Orleans, Shreveport Housing Authority, Baton Rouge Housing Authority, and Lafayette Housing Authority are among the largest, but smaller authorities serve other areas too. Your local authority is the office you contact for everything — applications, lease questions, maintenance requests, or information about waitlists.

To find your local authority, visit the Louisiana Housing Authority website and look for the directory of local authorities by city or parish. You can also call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for the housing authority serving your area. Have your city and parish name ready. Once you have the phone number, call to ask whether they are currently taking applications and how long the waitlist is for the program you are interested in.

Public housing and how waitlists work

Public housing means apartments that LHA or a local authority owns and rents to tenants. Rent is typically set at 30 percent of your household income, so it is lower than market rent. To live in public housing, you must meet income limits (which vary by family size and location) and pass a background check. Most local authorities have a waitlist, and the wait can be several years depending on the area.

Many local authorities are not currently taking new applications for public housing because their waitlists are so long. Before you spend time on an process, call your local authority and ask: "Are you accepting applications for public housing right now?" If they say no, ask when they expect to reopen the list. Some authorities reopen their lists once a year; others may not reopen for years. If they are accepting applications, ask what documents you need to bring — typically proof of income, proof of residency, and identification.

Housing Choice Vouchers and private rental options

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that lets you rent from a private landlord instead of living in public housing. LHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent (usually 70 to 75 percent), and you pay the rest. This gives you more choice in where you live and what kind of apartment you rent, compared to public housing. The voucher is portable — if you move to a different city in Louisiana or another state, you can take it with you if the new area's authority accepts transfers.

Waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers are also long in most areas. Some local authorities have closed their lists entirely and are not taking new applications. Call your local authority and ask whether they are accepting voucher applications and, if so, how long the waitlist is. If the list is closed, ask to be placed on a future interest list so you are notified if it reopens. If you receive a voucher, you will need to find a landlord willing to accept it — not all landlords do — and the unit must pass an inspection before you can move in.

Emergency rental information after disasters

When Louisiana experiences a federally declared disaster (hurricane, flood, or other emergency), LHA may open temporary rental information programs to help people who lost housing or income. These programs are separate from regular public housing and voucher programs, and they have different rules and faster processing. Emergency programs typically cover rent arrears (money you already owe) and sometimes future rent, and they may not have the same income limits as regular programs.

Emergency information is only available during and shortly after a declared disaster. If you have been affected by a recent disaster, contact your local housing authority or call 211 to ask whether an emergency program is open. You will need to show proof of the disaster's impact on your housing or income — for example, a lease, proof of lost income, or documentation from FEMA. Processing usually takes two to four weeks, though it varies by program and how many people are explore.

Income limits and who can explore

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers are only for households below a certain income level. Income limits vary by family size and by location — a family of four in New Orleans has a different limit than a family of four in a rural parish. Your local authority can tell you the current income limit for your area and family size. You will need to show proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer or benefits program.

You must also pass a background check. Local authorities look at criminal history, eviction history, and sometimes credit. The specific rules vary by authority. If you have a criminal record or past eviction, call your local authority and ask what their policy is before you explore — some authorities have strict rules, while others consider the circumstances and how long ago the incident occurred.

What happens after you explore

After you submit an process, your local authority will verify your income and run a background check. This usually takes two to four weeks, though it can be longer if they need to contact your employer or if they are processing many applications at once. You will be placed on a waitlist in the order your process was received (or sometimes by priority if you are elderly, disabled, or homeless). The authority will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, which could be months or years away depending on the waitlist length.

While you are on the waitlist, your local authority may ask you to update your information — for example, if your address or income changes. Respond promptly to any requests, because some authorities remove people from the list if they do not respond within a certain time. Keep your contact information current so the authority can reach you when something becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money for public housing?

Call your local housing authority and tell them your household size and monthly income. They will tell you whether you are within the income limit. Income limits change each year, so even if you were over the limit last year, you might be under it now. Bring recent pay stubs or tax returns when you explore so the authority can verify your income.

Can I explore to more than one local housing authority at the same time?

Yes. If you live near the border of two service areas or are willing to move, you can explore to multiple authorities. Each has its own waitlist and process process. However, if you receive a voucher or are offered public housing from one authority, you must usually decline offers from others or you may lose your spot.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

Policies vary by local authority. Some will not rent to anyone with an eviction, while others consider how long ago it was and the reason. Call your local authority and ask their policy before you explore. If they deny you because of an eviction, ask whether you can appeal or reapply after a certain amount of time has passed.

Do I have to live in public housing, or can I choose a voucher instead?

You explore for them separately, and they have different waitlists. You can explore to both if you want. If you are offered public housing first, you can accept it or decline and wait for a voucher. However, if you decline an offer, some authorities may remove you from the list, so ask about their policy before you turn something down.

What if my local authority's waitlist is closed?

Ask to be added to a future interest list so you are notified when applications reopen. Some authorities reopen their lists once a year or when funding increases. In the meantime, look into other programs — your local authority or 211 can tell you about emergency rental information, nonprofit housing programs, or other resources in your area.