What New Britain Housing Authority Does

New Britain Housing Authority (NBHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in New Britain, Connecticut. It does not build or own all the housing in the city — it manages specific properties and distributes vouchers that let tenants rent from private landlords. NBHA answers to the city and to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds both programs.

The agency maintains a waiting list for both public housing units and Section 8 vouchers. Waiting lists are typically years long, and NBHA prioritizes based on factors like homelessness, very low income, and local residency. You cannot walk in and get a unit or voucher the same day; you must be on the list first, and NBHA will contact you when something becomes available.

Key Takeaways

  • New Britain Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers; you explore to get on a waiting list, not to move in when ready.
  • Waiting lists are typically closed to new applications and may not reopen for months or years, so call NBHA first to confirm the list is open before gathering documents.
  • Income limits vary by program and family size, and NBHA will verify your income with tax returns, pay stubs, and bank statements during the process process.
  • Once you are on the waiting list, NBHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available; you do not need to call repeatedly to stay on the list.
  • NBHA is located at 99 Main Street, New Britain, and you can reach them by phone to ask about current waiting list status before explore.

Public Housing vs. Section 8 Vouchers

NBHA manages two separate programs, and they work differently. Public housing means NBHA owns the building and you pay rent directly to the authority. Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own apartment from a private landlord, and the voucher pays part of your rent; you pay the rest. Public housing has lower rent but fewer units available. Section 8 gives you more choice of where to live but requires a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Both programs have income limits. For public housing, the limit depends on family size and changes yearly. For Section 8, the limit is typically 50 percent of the area median income, which also varies by family size. NBHA will tell you the current limits when you call. If your income is above the limit, you cannot get on the waiting list. If your income rises after you move in, NBHA may increase your rent or eventually ask you to leave.

Waiting times differ. Public housing waiting lists in New Britain are typically closed and may not reopen for extended periods. Section 8 waiting lists are also usually closed. When either list does open, NBHA announces it through local media and on its website. The wait from the time you are added to the list until a unit or voucher is available can be several years.

How to Get on the Waiting List

Call NBHA at their main office to ask whether the waiting list is currently open. The phone number and office address are available through the city of New Britain's website or by calling 211. Do not show up in person without calling first — if the list is closed, you will make a wasted trip. When you call, ask specifically whether public housing, Section 8, or both are accepting new applications.

If the list is open, NBHA will tell you what documents to bring or mail in. Standard documents include a photo ID, proof of residency in New Britain (a utility bill or lease), proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), and a list of all household members with their dates of birth. If you receive benefits like SNAP or SSI, bring those award letters too. NBHA uses these documents to verify your income and confirm you meet the program rules.

You can explore in person at the NBHA office or by mail. If you explore by mail, keep a copy of everything you send and consider using certified mail so you have proof NBHA received it. After you submit your process, NBHA will contact you if they need more information. Do not assume silence means approval — follow up by phone after two weeks if you have not heard back.

Income Verification and Rent Calculation

NBHA will verify your income before you move in and again every year after. They use tax returns, W-2 forms, recent pay stubs, and bank statements. If you are self-employed, bring two years of tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement. If you receive unemployment, Social Security, child support, or other benefits, bring the award letter or bank deposit records showing the amount and frequency.

In public housing, your rent is typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent set by NBHA (often $50 to $100 per month). In Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your income, and the voucher covers the rest up to a maximum amount called the payment standard. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference out of pocket.

If your income changes — you get a job, lose a job, or your benefits change — tell NBHA within 30 days. If you do not report a change and NBHA finds out, they may charge you back rent or remove you from the program. NBHA recalculates your rent every year based on your current income, so your rent may go up or down.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Being on the waiting list does not mean you will hear from NBHA soon. Depending on the program and current demand, you may wait months or years. NBHA will contact you by phone or mail when a unit or voucher is available. You do not need to call NBHA to stay on the list — calling repeatedly does not speed up the process and may annoy staff. Your name stays on the list until you are contacted, you move out of the area, or you ask to be removed.

When NBHA contacts you, they will offer you a specific unit (in public housing) or tell you how much your voucher is worth and give you a important date to find an apartment (in Section 8). For public housing, you will tour the unit and sign a lease. For Section 8, you have a set number of days — usually 60 to 90 — to find an apartment, have the landlord agree to accept the voucher, and pass an inspection. If you cannot find a place in time, you may lose your voucher.

After you move in, you must follow the lease and program rules. In public housing, NBHA is your landlord and handles maintenance. In Section 8, your landlord handles maintenance, but NBHA inspects the apartment yearly to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If the apartment fails inspection, the landlord must fix the problems or you cannot stay.

Contact Information and Next Steps

New Britain Housing Authority is located at 99 Main Street, New Britain, Connecticut. You can reach them by phone during business hours. The city of New Britain's website lists the current phone number and office hours. You can also call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for NBHA's contact information or to confirm whether the waiting list is open.

Before you call, write down your household size, current income (approximate), and whether you are interested in public housing, Section 8, or both. Have your ID and a recent pay stub or benefit letter ready so you can answer questions quickly. Ask the staff member to confirm the waiting list status and what documents you will need if you decide to explore.

If NBHA's waiting list is closed, ask when it typically reopens and whether you can call back to check. Some housing authorities reopen their lists once a year; others do so less often. In the meantime, you can look into emergency rental information, rapid rehousing programs, or other temporary housing support through the city or through 211.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a unit or voucher after I explore?

There is no set timeline. Waiting lists are typically years long. NBHA will contact you when something becomes available, which could be months or years after you explore. The wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers NBHA has to offer.

Can I explore if I have an eviction on my record?

NBHA can deny you if you have an eviction within a certain number of years, but the exact policy varies. Call NBHA and ask directly. Some programs make exceptions for evictions caused by domestic violence or medical hardship. Be honest about your history; NBHA will find out during the background check anyway.

What if my income goes up after I move in?

NBHA will recalculate your rent every year. If your income rises, your rent will increase. If your income rises above the program limit, NBHA may ask you to leave, though some programs allow a grace period. Report income changes within 30 days to avoid back rent charges.

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

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists if both are open. If you are offered a unit or voucher from one program, you can usually stay on the other list, but ask NBHA to confirm their policy. Some people are offered public housing first and accept it, then get a Section 8 voucher years later.

What if I move out of New Britain after I get a voucher?

Section 8 vouchers can sometimes be used in other towns, but NBHA must approve the move and the new area must have available vouchers. Public housing is tied to New Britain, so if you move, you lose it. Call NBHA before you move to ask whether your voucher can transfer.