What the Lakewood Housing Authority does

The Lakewood Housing Authority (LHA) is a public agency that manages affordable housing programs in Lakewood, Colorado. It administers public housing units, Section 8 vouchers, and other affordable housing initiatives for residents who meet income limits. The LHA does not set those income limits itself — they follow federal guidelines that change yearly based on area median income.

The Authority owns and operates public housing properties directly, meaning it is both your landlord and the agency that sets rent. It also distributes Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, which let you rent from a private landlord while the program pays a portion of your rent. These are two separate programs with different process processes, waitlists, and rules.

The LHA's main office is located in Lakewood and handles all intake, inspections, lease approvals, and rent calculations. If you live in a public housing unit or hold a Section 8 voucher from LHA, you report changes and pay rent through this office, not through a separate property management company.

Key Takeaways

  • The Lakewood Housing Authority runs two main programs: public housing (where LHA is your landlord) and Section 8 vouchers (where you rent from a private landlord and LHA pays part of the rent).
  • Both programs have separate waitlists and income limits based on federal guidelines that change each year.
  • Public housing rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household income, and you report income changes to LHA directly.
  • Section 8 vouchers are extremely limited in Lakewood; the waitlist is often closed and can have years-long waits when it opens.
  • You must contact the LHA office directly to learn current waitlist status, income limits, and what documents you need to bring.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

Public housing means you rent an apartment or house owned by the Lakewood Housing Authority. LHA sets the rent at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, regardless of the market rent for that unit. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises. You sign a lease with LHA and pay rent to LHA each month.

Section 8 vouchers work differently. You find a rental unit on the private market — a house, apartment, or condo owned by anyone willing to accept the voucher. The landlord agrees to rent to you at a price LHA approves. LHA pays the landlord directly for its share (usually 70 to 80 percent of rent), and you pay the rest out of pocket. Your rent payment does not change automatically if your income changes; instead, LHA recalculates your share once a year.

Public housing is faster to move into if a unit is available, because LHA owns the property and can process your lease quickly. Section 8 vouchers give you more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and that can be difficult in a tight rental market. Both programs require you to meet income limits and pass a background check.

Income limits and how they are set

The Lakewood Housing Authority uses income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) based on the Denver-Aurora area median income. These limits change every year, usually in April. A household at 50 percent of area median income qualifies for public housing; Section 8 vouchers go to households at or below 80 percent of area median income.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular money coming into your household. The LHA counts gross income before taxes. If you are over the limit, you do not meet the income requirement, even if you have high expenses or debt.

You must report income changes to LHA within 10 days. If you get a job, lose a job, or have a household member move in or out, contact the office. Failing to report changes can result in overpayment of rent (which you will owe back) or underpayment (which can lead to lease violation).

How to contact Lakewood Housing Authority and current waitlist status

The Lakewood Housing Authority office is located at 1755 Parfet Street, Lakewood, Colorado 80215. You can reach them by phone at (303) 987-7500 during business hours. The office handles all inquiries about public housing, Section 8 vouchers, rent calculations, maintenance requests, and lease questions.

Waitlist status changes frequently. Public housing may have a short waitlist or be closed depending on unit availability. Section 8 vouchers are almost always closed in Lakewood because demand far exceeds the number of vouchers available. When the Section 8 waitlist does open, it fills within days or hours. The only way to know the current status is to call the office or visit in person.

Bring a photo ID and proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters) when you visit. If you are explore for public housing, also bring proof of residency in Colorado and a list of all household members and their ages. For Section 8, you will need the same documents plus proof that you have looked at rental units in the area.

Rent calculation and payment in public housing

In public housing, your rent is always 30 percent of your gross household income, rounded to the nearest dollar. If your household makes $2,000 per month, your rent is $600. If it drops to $1,500, your rent drops to $450. This is set by federal rule and LHA cannot change it.

You pay rent to the Lakewood Housing Authority by the first of each month. Payment methods include check, money order, automatic bank transfer, or in-person payment at the office. Late rent is typically considered late after the 5th of the month, and late fees may explore according to your lease.

If your income changes, you must report it within 10 days. LHA will recalculate your rent and send you a new lease addendum showing the new amount. The change takes effect on the first of the following month. If you do not report a change and LHA discovers it during an annual recertification, you may owe back rent or receive a rent credit, depending on the direction of the change.

Inspections and lease requirements

All public housing units are inspected by LHA before you move in and annually after that. The inspection checks that the unit meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS) — a federal checklist covering things like working plumbing, heat, electrical outlets, smoke detectors, and the absence of mold or pests. If the unit fails inspection, LHA must fix the problems before you can move in or continue living there.

Your lease with LHA includes rules about who can live in the unit, how you must maintain it, and what happens if you violate the lease. You cannot sublet the unit or have unauthorized occupants. You must keep the unit clean and report maintenance problems promptly. Lease violations can result in a warning, rent increase, or eviction.

If you need a repair, contact the LHA maintenance line or office. Emergency repairs (no heat, no water, broken locks) should be reported when ready. Non-emergency repairs are typically addressed within 14 days. LHA is responsible for structural repairs, appliances, and systems; you are responsible for damage you cause beyond normal wear.

Section 8 voucher program details

If you receive a Section 8 voucher from the Lakewood Housing Authority, you have a set amount of money (your voucher amount) that LHA will pay toward rent each month. You search for a rental unit on the private market and negotiate a lease with the landlord. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and rent the unit at a price LHA approves.

Once you find a unit and sign a lease, LHA inspects it to make sure it meets Housing Quality Standards. The landlord must make any repairs needed to pass inspection before you move in. After inspection, LHA calculates how much it will pay (usually 70 to 80 percent of the approved rent) and you pay the rest. Your portion is typically 30 percent of your income, but it can be higher if the approved rent is low.

You must recertify your income with LHA once a year. If your income changes significantly between recertifications, you can request an interim recertification. If your income rises, your rent share may increase. If it drops, your rent share drops. You can keep the same unit or search for a new one, as long as the new unit passes inspection and the landlord accepts the voucher.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waitlist for public housing or Section 8 vouchers?

Public housing waitlist length depends on how many units are available and how many people are waiting. It can range from a few months to several years. Section 8 vouchers are almost always closed in Lakewood because demand is so high. When the waitlist opens, it fills within days. Call (303) 987-7500 to learn the current status.

What if I am over the income limit?

If your household income exceeds the limit, you do not meet the requirement for that program. Income limits change yearly in April, so you may become may be able to access in the future if your income drops or the limit rises. You can reapply when the limit changes or if your circumstances change.

Can I own a car or have savings and still live in public housing?

Yes. The Lakewood Housing Authority does not count the value of your car or savings toward income limits. You only need to report income — money coming in regularly. Assets are not counted in the same way, though some programs do have asset limits; ask LHA directly about their current policy.

What happens if I cannot pay my rent?

Contact LHA when ready. If you are in public housing, your rent is based on your income, so if your income dropped, you can request an interim recertification to lower your rent. If you are on a Section 8 voucher, you are responsible for your portion of rent. LHA does not pay your share. Look into emergency rental information through your county or city.

Can I transfer my Section 8 voucher to another housing authority?

Yes, but it requires LHA approval and the receiving housing authority must have vouchers available. This is called a portability transfer. Contact LHA to learn whether your voucher can be transferred and what the process is. Transfers can take several months.