What Pinellas Housing Authority Does

Pinellas Housing Authority (PHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Pinellas County, Florida. It administers Section 8 vouchers, public housing units, and other federal housing programs in the county. PHA does not build or own most of the housing—it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it manages a smaller number of public housing properties directly.

PHA is separate from the City of St. Petersburg or the City of Clearwater, though it serves residents across the entire county. If you live in Pinellas County and want to know whether you can receive a voucher or rent a public housing unit, PHA is the body that makes that information and processes your paperwork.

Key Takeaways

  • Pinellas Housing Authority administers Section 8 vouchers and public housing in Pinellas County, and you must explore directly to PHA, not to individual landlords or cities.
  • Section 8 vouchers are not always open to new applicants; PHA maintains a waitlist that opens and closes depending on funding, so you must contact PHA to learn the current status.
  • Income limits vary by household size and are set by the federal government each year; PHA staff can tell you whether your household income qualifies.
  • You will need proof of identity, income, residency, and Social Security numbers for all household members to complete an process.
  • PHA's main office is located in St. Petersburg, and you can reach them by phone or visit in person to ask about current programs and waitlist status.

How to Contact Pinellas Housing Authority

Pinellas Housing Authority's main office is at 4405 34th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33711. You can reach them by phone at (727) 323-3400 during business hours. The office is open Monday through Friday, and staff can answer questions about Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and current waitlist status over the phone.

If you prefer to visit in person, you can go to the main office to pick up applications, ask about income limits, or submit documents. Some people find it faster to call first and ask what documents to bring, so you do not make a trip and find you are missing something.

PHA also maintains a website where you can find general information about programs, though the website does not allow you to explore online. You must explore in person or by mail.

Section 8 Vouchers Through Pinellas Housing Authority

A Section 8 voucher is a federal subsidy that pays part of your rent directly to your landlord. You find your own apartment, and PHA pays the difference between what you can afford and the market rent (up to a limit set by the program). You pay the rest.

To receive a voucher, your household income must fall below a limit set by the federal government each year. For Pinellas County, the income limit changes annually. PHA staff can tell you the current limit for your household size when you call or visit.

Section 8 vouchers are not always open to new applicants. PHA maintains a waitlist, and when funding is tight, the waitlist closes. You can call PHA to ask whether the waitlist is currently open. If it is closed, ask when it might reopen—some housing authorities reopen their lists on a set schedule, though timing varies.

Public Housing Units Managed by Pinellas Housing Authority

PHA owns and manages a number of public housing apartments throughout Pinellas County. These are units where PHA is the landlord, not a private owner. Rent in public housing is set at 30 percent of your household income, so it adjusts if your income changes.

Public housing has its own waitlist, separate from the Section 8 waitlist. Income limits are the same as for Section 8. To learn whether public housing units are available and how long the waitlist is, contact PHA directly.

Public housing units tend to have shorter waitlists than Section 8 vouchers in many counties, though that varies. If you are interested in either program, it is worth asking PHA about both so you understand your options.

Documents You Will Need to Provide

When you explore for Section 8 or public housing through PHA, you will need to bring or mail proof of several things. Have a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income for the past 30 days (pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or tax returns if self-employed), and proof of residency in Pinellas County (a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency).

You will also need to provide Social Security numbers for all household members, including children. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can explore for one at the Social Security Administration office. PHA staff can tell you what counts as proof of income if your situation is unusual—for example, if you receive unemployment, disability, or child support.

Bring originals or certified copies when you visit in person. If you mail documents, keep copies for yourself and send them by certified mail so you have proof PHA received them.

Income Limits and Rent Calculation

Federal income limits for Section 8 and public housing are set each year and vary by household size and county. Pinellas County's limits are published by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) and change annually, usually in April. PHA uses these limits to determine whether you are income-may be able to access.

In Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your gross household income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest (up to the program's payment standard for your area). In public housing, you also pay 30 percent of income. If your income changes after you are admitted, your rent payment adjusts.

To find out the current income limit for your household size, call PHA at (727) 323-3400 and ask. Do not guess based on old information—limits change year to year.

What Happens After You explore

After you submit an process, PHA will verify the information you provided. This includes checking your income, residency, and background. The verification process typically takes several weeks. PHA will contact you if they need additional documents or have questions.

If you are found to be income-may be able to access and meet other program requirements, you will be placed on the waitlist in the order your process was received (unless you have a local preference, which varies by program). The length of the waitlist determines how long you wait for a voucher or unit to become available.

PHA will notify you by mail or phone when a voucher or unit is available. At that point, you will need to complete additional paperwork and, for Section 8, begin looking for an apartment that meets program standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Pinellas Housing Authority Section 8 waitlist currently open?

Waitlist status changes throughout the year. Call PHA at (727) 323-3400 to ask whether applications are being taken. If the list is closed, ask when it typically reopens or whether you can be notified when it does.

What is the income limit for Section 8 in Pinellas County?

Income limits are set by HUD and change each year, usually in April. They vary by household size. Call PHA to learn the current limit for your household, or visit the HUD website to see the published limits for Pinellas County.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waitlists and different timelines. explore for both increases your chances of receiving housing information sooner. Ask PHA for applications for each program when you contact them.

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

Waitlist length varies. It can range from a few months to several years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available. PHA can tell you the approximate wait time when you explore.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

PHA considers your housing history as part of the process process. An eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but PHA will review the circumstances. Call to discuss your situation with a staff member before explore if you are concerned.