What the Marietta Housing Authority does

The Marietta Housing Authority (MHA) is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Marietta, Georgia, and administers housing vouchers for low-income residents. It does not set housing policy for the city — that is the city council's role — but it owns and operates public housing units and distributes federal rental information funds to people who meet income limits.

The MHA operates two main programs: public housing (units it owns directly) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, sometimes called Section 8. Both serve households below certain income thresholds. The authority also manages waiting lists, conducts inspections, and handles lease enforcement for the properties and vouchers it oversees.

The MHA is separate from the city's planning or zoning departments. If you have a question about whether a building can be constructed or what use is allowed on a lot, you need the city planning office, not the housing authority. The MHA's job is to manage the units and vouchers that already exist.

Key Takeaways

  • The Marietta Housing Authority manages public housing units and Housing Choice Vouchers for households below specific income limits set by federal law.
  • Both programs maintain waiting lists, and wait times vary depending on how many units or vouchers are available and how many people are ahead of you.
  • You can contact the MHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their office to ask about current openings and what documents you will need.
  • The MHA inspects units regularly to may support they meet housing quality standards, and both tenants and landlords have responsibilities under the lease.
  • If you have a complaint about a unit or a voucher issue, the MHA has a process for handling disputes, though the speed depends on the type of complaint.

Public housing units managed by the Marietta Housing Authority

The MHA owns and operates apartment buildings and townhomes throughout Marietta. These units are rented to households whose income falls below the area median income limit, which changes each year. The exact income threshold depends on household size and is set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), not by the MHA itself.

Rent in public housing is typically set at 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income, though the MHA may charge a minimum rent if your income is very low. This means your rent payment scales with what you earn. If your income rises, your rent rises; if it falls, your rent falls.

To live in an MHA public housing unit, you must pass a background check and meet other lease requirements. The MHA will ask for proof of income, identification, and references. Lease violations — such as criminal activity, drug use, or unauthorized occupants — can result in eviction. The MHA follows Georgia eviction law and must provide notice and opportunity to cure before removing a tenant, except in cases of serious criminal conduct.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) in Marietta

The Housing Choice Voucher program lets you rent from a private landlord anywhere in Marietta (and sometimes in nearby areas, depending on the MHA's rules) while the federal government subsidizes part of your rent. You pay roughly 30 percent of your income toward rent; the voucher covers the rest, up to a limit set by HUD.

To use a voucher, you must find a landlord willing to participate in the program. Not all landlords do. The unit must pass an MHA inspection before you can move in, and the landlord must sign a contract with the MHA. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs before the voucher can be used.

Waiting lists for vouchers are often long and may be closed when the MHA has more applicants than vouchers available. You can contact the MHA to ask whether the list is open and how long the current wait is. Some housing authorities give priority to people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence, but the MHA's specific priorities are set in its administrative plan, which you can request.

How to contact the Marietta Housing Authority and what to bring

The MHA office is located in Marietta and can be reached by phone during business hours. You can also visit in person or send mail to their address. When you call or visit, have your Social Security number, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), and identification ready. If you are explore for housing, you will also need to provide references and consent to a background check.

The MHA can tell you whether there are current openings, what the waiting list looks like, and what documents you need to submit. They can also explain the income limits for the current year and answer questions about lease terms. If you need an interpreter, call ahead to request one.

Response times vary. Some questions can be answered the same day; others may take several days or weeks depending on how busy the office is and what you are asking. If you are in a housing crisis, tell the staff when you call — some housing authorities have emergency procedures or can refer you to other resources.

Inspections and housing quality standards

Whether you live in an MHA public housing unit or use a voucher in a private unit, the MHA inspects the property to may support it meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS). These standards cover things like working plumbing, heat, electricity, safe stairs, and absence of lead paint hazards. Inspections happen before you move in and periodically afterward.

If an inspection finds problems, the landlord (in public housing, the MHA itself; in voucher housing, the private owner) must fix them within a set timeframe. If repairs are not made, the voucher may be terminated or the lease may be broken. Tenants can request an inspection if they believe a unit is not meeting standards, though the process and timeline vary by situation.

You have the right to be present during an inspection. If you find conditions unsafe or unlivable, you can file a complaint with the MHA. The authority will investigate and can order repairs or, in serious cases, allow you to break the lease without penalty.

Lease terms and tenant responsibilities

Both public housing leases and voucher program leases set out what you must do to keep your housing. Common requirements include paying rent on time, keeping the unit clean and undamaged, reporting maintenance problems promptly, and not engaging in criminal activity or drug use. Unauthorized occupants — people living in the unit who are not on the lease — are a lease violation.

If you violate the lease, the MHA or landlord will usually give you written notice and a chance to fix the problem (called "cure"). For example, if you are late on rent, you may have a few days to pay. For serious violations like criminal activity, the landlord may move directly to eviction without a cure period.

Eviction from public housing or loss of a voucher follows Georgia law. The MHA or landlord must file in court, and you have the right to appear and defend yourself. If you receive an eviction notice, contact the MHA when ready to discuss your options — some housing authorities have mediation services or can connect you with legal help.

What to do if you have a problem with the MHA

If you believe the MHA has treated you unfairly — for example, if you were denied housing based on false information, if an inspection was done improperly, or if you were evicted without proper notice — you can file a complaint. The MHA has an internal complaint process, usually called a grievance procedure. You must file within a set timeframe (often 30 days) and in writing.

The MHA will investigate your complaint and give you a chance to present your side. If you disagree with the outcome, you may have the right to a hearing before an independent officer. The timeline for resolution varies but typically takes several weeks to a few months.

If the MHA's decision violates federal housing law, you may also have the right to file a complaint with HUD. HUD can investigate and take action against the housing authority if it finds a violation. You can reach HUD's Atlanta regional office by phone or mail; contact information is available on HUD's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or vouchers in Marietta?

Wait times depend on how many units or vouchers are available and how many people are on the list. The MHA can tell you the current wait when you call. Some lists are closed entirely when demand is very high. There is no way to know in advance how long you will wait once you are on the list.

Can I be denied housing because of my credit score or past evictions?

The MHA can consider your rental history and credit as part of the screening process, but it must follow fair housing law. It cannot deny you based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. If you were evicted for reasons beyond your control, you can explain that to the MHA. Ask what their specific screening criteria are.

What happens if I lose my job while I have a voucher?

Your rent is based on your income, so if your income drops, your rent should drop too. Report the change to the MHA as soon as possible. You will need to provide proof of your new income (or lack of income). The MHA will recalculate your rent and adjust your voucher amount accordingly.

Can the MHA evict me without going to court?

No. Even in public housing, the MHA must follow Georgia eviction law, which requires a court case. You will receive a notice to vacate, and if you do not leave, the landlord must file in court. You have the right to appear and defend yourself. Do not ignore an eviction notice — contact the MHA or a legal aid organization when ready.

What if I find mold or other serious problems in my unit?

Request an inspection from the MHA in writing or by phone. Describe the problem clearly and provide photos if possible. The MHA must investigate within a reasonable timeframe. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs. If repairs are not made and the problem is serious, you may have the right to break the lease or withhold rent, depending on Georgia law and your lease terms.