What the Little Rock Housing Authority Does

The Little Rock Housing Authority (LRHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Pulaski County, Arkansas. It does not provide cash information or rental grants — it manages housing units and vouchers that reduce what you pay for rent. LRHA answers to a board of commissioners and operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The agency owns and maintains public housing properties scattered across Little Rock. It also administers Section 8 vouchers, which are portable rental subsidies you can use at privately owned apartments that accept the program. Both programs serve households below certain income limits, and both have waiting lists because demand exceeds available units and vouchers.

Key Takeaways

  • LRHA runs two separate programs: public housing (units it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (subsidies you use at private landlords), each with its own waiting list and income limits.
  • You must meet income requirements, pass a background check, and provide proof of citizenship or legal residency to be considered for either program.
  • Waiting lists are long and often closed; you can call LRHA directly at their main office to learn whether either list is currently open.
  • If you are accepted, you will pay a portion of rent (usually 30 percent of your income) and LRHA or the voucher subsidy covers the rest.
  • LRHA's main office is located in Little Rock, and you must explore in person or by mail — there is no online process.

Public Housing vs. Section 8 Vouchers: Which Program Is Which

Public housing means LRHA owns the building and you rent directly from the agency. You live in a unit managed by LRHA staff, pay rent to LRHA, and LRHA handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and complexes. The income limits and rent calculation are set by HUD, but LRHA enforces the lease and house rules.

Section 8 vouchers work differently: LRHA gives you a voucher (a subsidy document), you find a private landlord willing to accept it, and the voucher covers part of the rent while you pay the rest. You choose where to live within Pulaski County, and the landlord is a private owner, not LRHA. LRHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards, but the landlord handles day-to-day maintenance. You have more choice of location with a voucher, but fewer landlords accept them.

Both programs require you to pay roughly 30 percent of your gross monthly income toward rent. The difference is who owns the building and who you deal with for repairs and lease enforcement.

Income Limits and Who Can explore

LRHA sets income limits based on HUD's area median income (AMI) for Pulaski County. Most households must earn no more than 50 percent of AMI to be considered for public housing, though some units are reserved for households at 30 percent AMI or below. Section 8 vouchers typically follow the same 50 percent AMI cap, but limits vary slightly by program.

As of 2024, the income limits change annually. You should contact LRHA directly to confirm the current limits for your household size, because they shift each year and differ between public housing and Section 8. LRHA staff can tell you whether your income falls within range before you spend time on an process.

Beyond income, you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status (permanent resident, refugee, asylee, or certain other categories). You will need to provide a Social Security number or ITIN and proof of legal residency. LRHA also runs a background check covering criminal history, eviction records, and prior housing information violations. A felony conviction or recent eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but LRHA has discretion to deny based on the details.

how the process works and What Documents You Need

LRHA does not have an online process portal. You must explore in person at the main office or by mail. Call LRHA first to confirm the waiting list is open — many housing authorities close lists when they reach capacity, and reopening can take months.

When you explore, bring or mail the following: a completed process form (available at the LRHA office or by request), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or birth certificate), a photo ID, and proof of current address (utility bill or lease). If you receive benefits (SNAP, TANF, SSI), bring documentation of those as well. LRHA may ask for additional documents depending on your situation.

The process itself is free. There is no fee to explore for public housing or Section 8. After you submit, LRHA will contact you to schedule an interview. The timeline from process to interview is typically several weeks, depending on how many applications they are processing.

Waiting Lists and How Long It Takes

Both public housing and Section 8 have separate waiting lists, and both are typically long. LRHA prioritizes applicants based on factors like homelessness, living in substandard housing, or paying more than 50 percent of income toward rent. Families with children and elderly or disabled households may also receive priority in some cases.

Wait times vary widely. Some applicants are called within months; others wait two years or longer. LRHA is required to keep waiting lists open unless they explicitly close them due to volume. You can ask LRHA how many people are ahead of you on the list when you explore, though the exact position may change as people are housed or drop off.

If the waiting list is closed when you call, ask when it is expected to reopen. Some housing authorities reopen lists seasonally or after a certain number of people are housed. You can call back periodically to check status.

What Happens After You Are Accepted

Once LRHA notifies you that you have been accepted, you will receive a lease or voucher packet with next steps. For public housing, you will sign a lease with LRHA, pay a security deposit (usually equal to one month's rent), and move into an assigned unit. For Section 8, you will receive a voucher and a important date (usually 60 days) to find a landlord and a unit that meets program standards.

With a Section 8 voucher, you search for apartments on your own. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the unit must pass an LRHA inspection before you can move in. LRHA will calculate the subsidy amount based on the rent and your income. You pay your share (usually 30 percent of income), and the voucher covers the rest, up to a limit set by LRHA.

In both cases, you will have a lease and house rules to follow. LRHA can terminate your lease if you violate terms, engage in criminal activity, or fail to pay your portion of rent. You have the right to a hearing before eviction.

Contact Information and How to Reach LRHA

The Little Rock Housing Authority's main office is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about waiting list status, current income limits, or process procedures. The office is open Monday through Friday, and staff can answer basic questions about which program might fit your situation.

You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face. Bring your ID and be prepared to provide basic household information. If you need an interpreter, call ahead to request one.

For general information about HUD programs, you can also contact the HUD office that oversees Arkansas, though they will refer housing-specific questions back to LRHA. Local nonprofits and community action agencies in Little Rock may also have staff who can help you understand the process process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the waiting list is closed?

Call LRHA and ask when they expect to reopen the list. Some housing authorities reopen after a set number of people are housed or on a seasonal schedule. You can call back every few months to check. In the meantime, look into emergency rental information or other local programs if you need when ready help with rent.

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate lists and separate processes. You can explore to both and wait on both lists. If you are offered one program first, you can accept it and ask to be removed from the other list, or stay on both and choose when an offer comes.

What if I have a criminal record or an eviction on my record?

LRHA will review your background, but a record does not automatically disqualify you. The agency looks at the nature of the offense, how long ago it occurred, and whether you have shown rehabilitation. Violent crimes and drug-related felonies are treated more seriously. Contact LRHA to discuss your specific situation before explore if you are concerned.

Do I have to stay in the same unit or neighborhood?

With public housing, LRHA assigns you a unit. You cannot choose the location, though you can request a transfer after you have lived there for a period of time if a unit becomes available. With Section 8, you choose the neighborhood and landlord, giving you much more flexibility as long as the unit meets standards and the landlord accepts the voucher.

What if my income increases after I am housed?

Your rent will increase. LRHA recalculates your share annually based on your reported income. If your income rises significantly, you may eventually earn too much to stay in the program, but LRHA usually gives you time to transition out. Report income changes honestly and on time to avoid problems later.