How the Lincoln Housing Authority Works and What It Offers

What the Lincoln Housing Authority does

The Lincoln Housing Authority (LHA) is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Lincoln, Nebraska. It administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps low-income households pay rent by subsidizing part of the cost. The LHA also owns and operates public housing units directly — apartments and houses it rents to income-may have access to residents at below-market rates.

The LHA is not a landlord for the private market. It does not process emergency rental information, handle eviction prevention, or manage housing for people experiencing homelessness (though it can refer you to agencies that do). It is a housing provider and a voucher administrator, and those are its two main functions.

Key Takeaways

The Lincoln Housing Authority runs Section 8 vouchers and owns public housing units; both serve households below certain income limits.
Section 8 vouchers let you rent from private landlords while the LHA pays part of your rent directly to the owner.
The LHA maintains a waitlist for both vouchers and public housing, and waitlists can be closed or have long delays depending on demand.
You can contact the LHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their office to ask about current waitlist status and what documents you will need.
If you need help with an eviction, emergency rent, or homelessness services, the LHA can refer you to other Lincoln agencies that handle those programs.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Lincoln

A Section 8 voucher is a rental subsidy. The LHA gives you a voucher, you find a private landlord willing to accept it, and the LHA pays the landlord a portion of your rent each month. You pay the difference out of your own income. The amount the LHA pays depends on your household income and the local rent standard for your unit size.

To hold a Section 8 voucher, your household income must fall below 50 percent of the area median income for Lincoln. The exact dollar amount changes yearly; you can call the LHA to learn the current limit for your household size. Vouchers are portable — if you move to another city, you can usually take the voucher with you, though the new housing authority must have funding available.

The LHA maintains a waitlist for Section 8 vouchers. The waitlist opens and closes depending on how many vouchers are in use and how many people are waiting. When it is open, the LHA accepts new names. When it is closed, you cannot join until it reopens, which may be months or years later. Call the LHA to find out whether the waitlist is currently open.

Public housing units managed by the LHA

The Lincoln Housing Authority owns and rents apartments and houses directly to low-income households. These are not vouchers — the LHA is your landlord. Rent is set based on your income, typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, and is usually lower than market rent in Lincoln.

Income limits for public housing are the same as for Section 8: your household must earn below 50 percent of area median income. The LHA also screens for criminal history, prior evictions, and lease violations, though having a record does not automatically disqualify you. Each process is reviewed individually.

Public housing also has a waitlist. Like the Section 8 waitlist, it can be open or closed. The LHA prioritizes applicants based on factors such as homelessness, living in substandard housing, or paying more than 50 percent of income toward rent. Call to ask where you would fall on the priority list and whether the waitlist is currently open.

How to contact the Lincoln Housing Authority

The LHA office is located in Lincoln and can be reached by phone during business hours. You can also visit in person to ask questions, pick up applications, or submit documents. Mailing address and phone number are available on the LHA website or through a 211 referral service.

When you call or visit, have ready: your household size, current income (or recent pay stubs), and your Social Security number. Ask specifically whether the Section 8 waitlist and public housing waitlist are open, and what documents you will need to submit an process. If the waitlist is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen and whether you can join a notification list.

If you are currently facing eviction, homelessness, or an emergency rent situation, tell the LHA staff. They cannot solve those problems directly, but they can refer you to Lincoln agencies that handle emergency rental information, eviction prevention, or homeless services.

What happens after you explore

Once you submit an process to the LHA, staff will verify your income, household composition, and background. This takes several weeks. You will be notified by mail or phone of the outcome.

If you are found to meet income and screening requirements, you move to the waitlist or, if a unit or voucher is when ready available, you may be offered housing or a voucher. The time from approval to actually receiving a voucher or moving into a unit varies widely — it can be months or longer, depending on how many people are ahead of you on the waitlist.

If you are denied, the LHA will send you a written reason. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the decision. The LHA will explain how to request a hearing in the denial letter.

Income limits and rent calculations

The LHA uses area median income (AMI) to set income limits. For Section 8 and public housing, the limit is 50 percent of AMI for Lincoln. This amount is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and changes each year.

For public housing, your rent is typically 30 percent of your gross household income, though the LHA may set a minimum rent. If your income is very low, you may pay a flat minimum (often $25 to $50 per month) rather than 30 percent. Call the LHA to ask what the current minimum rent is.

For Section 8, the calculation is more complex. The LHA sets a payment standard for each unit size based on local market rents. Your portion of rent depends on your income and the payment standard. The LHA pays the landlord the difference between your portion and the payment standard.

If you need help with other housing problems

The Lincoln Housing Authority handles rental subsidies and public housing only. If you need help with an eviction, emergency rent payment, utility information, or homelessness services, the LHA cannot provide those directly, but staff can point you to the right agency.

In Lincoln, emergency rental information is usually handled by the city or county. Eviction prevention services may be available through legal aid or community action agencies. Homelessness services are typically run by nonprofits. The LHA can give you phone numbers and referrals, or you can call 211 (a free helpline) to be connected to services in your area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher or public housing unit?

There is no set timeline. If the waitlist is open and you meet requirements, you join the list. How long you wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers or units become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. Call the LHA to ask how many people are on the waitlist and how many vouchers or units they typically issue per month.

Can I explore for both Section 8 and public housing at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are separate, and you can be on both waitlists. If you are offered one before the other, you can accept it and stay on the other waitlist, or decline and keep waiting. There is no penalty for being on both lists.

What if my income goes up after I receive a voucher or move into public housing?

Your rent will increase. For Section 8, the LHA recalculates your portion based on your new income. For public housing, your rent goes up to 30 percent of your new income. You will be notified of the change and given time to adjust. If your income exceeds the program limit, you may lose your voucher or housing, though most programs allow a grace period.

Can I be denied because of my criminal record or eviction history?

The LHA screens for criminal history and prior evictions, but having a record does not automatically disqualify you. The LHA considers the nature and age of the offense or eviction, your circumstances, and evidence of rehabilitation. You can explain your situation in your process. If you are denied, you have the right to request a hearing.

What if the Section 8 or public housing waitlist is closed?

You cannot join a closed waitlist. Ask the LHA when it is expected to reopen and whether you can leave your name to be contacted when it does. Some housing authorities maintain a notification list for closed waitlists. Check back periodically or call to ask about reopening dates.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.