What the Prichard Housing Authority does

The Prichard Housing Authority is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Prichard, Alabama. It administers the public housing program for the city and also runs the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly called Section 8), which helps low-income residents rent from private landlords using a voucher that covers part of the rent. The authority does not build or own all the housing itself — it partners with private property owners and manages the voucher program on behalf of the federal government.

The Prichard Housing Authority operates under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and follows federal rules about who can live in its programs and how much rent residents pay. It is run by a local board and a executive director, and it serves residents across Prichard who meet income limits set by HUD each year.

Key Takeaways

  • The Prichard Housing Authority manages both public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher program for low-income residents in Prichard, Alabama.
  • To use either program, your household income must fall below limits set by HUD, which change yearly and depend on family size.
  • Public housing units are owned and managed directly by the authority; vouchers let you rent from private landlords and the voucher pays part of your rent.
  • Both programs have waiting lists, and the time to get housing can range from months to years depending on current demand and available units.
  • You can contact the Prichard Housing Authority directly to learn about current waiting lists, income limits, and what documents you will need to provide.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

The Prichard Housing Authority runs two separate programs. Public housing means the authority owns the building and you pay rent to the authority. The authority sets the rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your monthly household income — and handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing units in Prichard are located throughout the city in developments managed by the authority.

Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. The authority gives you a voucher that you take to a private landlord. The voucher covers a portion of the rent (called the "payment standard"), and you pay the difference out of pocket. You choose the apartment, the landlord must accept the voucher, and the authority pays the landlord directly each month. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you are responsible for finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher.

Both programs require you to meet HUD income limits. Public housing typically has a shorter waiting list in some areas but less choice in location. Vouchers give you more freedom but require you to find a landlord, which can be harder in tight rental markets.

Income limits and who can participate

To use either Prichard Housing Authority program, your household income must be at or below the limit set by HUD for your family size. These limits change each year and are based on the area median income for Calhoun County, Alabama. For example, a family of four might have a different limit than a single person or a family of six. The authority publishes current income limits on its website or you can call to ask what the limit is for your household size.

You will also need to pass a background check and meet other HUD requirements, such as not having been evicted for non-payment in the past three years or having serious criminal history. The authority has the right to deny housing based on these factors, but each case is reviewed individually. If you have questions about whether your background will disqualify you, you can ask the authority before you formally request housing.

How to request housing from the Prichard Housing Authority

To request public housing or a voucher, you contact the Prichard Housing Authority directly and ask to be placed on the waiting list. You will need to provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency in Prichard or the surrounding area. The authority will also run a background check and may contact previous landlords or employers.

Once you are on the waiting list, you wait for a unit or voucher to become available. The authority prioritizes based on factors like homelessness, living in substandard housing, or paying more than 50 percent of your income toward rent. Waiting times vary widely — some people get housing within months, others wait years depending on how many units are available and how many people are ahead of you on the list.

You can call the Prichard Housing Authority to ask about current waiting list status, how long the wait typically is, and what documents to bring when you explore. The authority's office hours and phone number are available through the City of Prichard website or by calling Prichard City Hall.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, the authority will show you available units and you choose one that fits your needs and budget. You sign a lease with the authority, and your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (or the actual rent, whichever is lower). The authority handles all maintenance and repairs — if something breaks, you call the authority's maintenance line and they fix it.

If you are approved for a Housing Choice Voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment. You search for rentals on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and once you find a place, the authority inspects it to make sure it meets housing quality standards. The landlord must sign a contract with the authority agreeing to accept the voucher. After that, you move in and the authority pays the landlord directly each month.

In both cases, you are responsible for following the lease, paying your portion of rent on time, and keeping the unit in good condition. The authority can evict you for non-payment, lease violations, or criminal activity, just as a private landlord can.

Waiting lists and how long they take

The Prichard Housing Authority maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Both lists can be long, and waiting times depend on how many units or vouchers become available each year and how many people are on the list ahead of you.

Some waiting lists are closed periodically when they become too long. If the list is closed when you want to explore, you may have to wait until it reopens. The authority will tell you whether the list is open or closed and when it might reopen. You can also ask to be notified when a list reopens so you do not miss the window to explore.

Once you are on the list, the authority will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. It is your responsibility to respond quickly — if you do not answer or do not show up for a housing inspection or lease signing, you may lose your spot and have to reapply.

Rent and what you actually pay

In public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, or the actual rent of the unit, whichever is lower. If your income changes, your rent is recalculated. The authority may ask you to report income changes, and you should do so because hiding income can result in eviction.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, the authority pays the landlord a "payment standard" based on the size of the unit and the local rental market. If the landlord's rent is lower than the payment standard, you pay the difference. If the rent is higher, you pay the full difference out of pocket. For example, if the payment standard is $800 and the rent is $950, you pay $150 plus any utilities not covered by the voucher.

Both programs require you to pay utilities unless they are included in the rent. You are responsible for electric, water, gas, and trash unless the lease says otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I contact the Prichard Housing Authority?

You can reach the Prichard Housing Authority through the City of Prichard's main phone line or by visiting the city website for the authority's direct number and office address. You can also visit in person during office hours to ask about waiting lists and current programs.

What if I am homeless or living in an unsafe situation?

Homelessness and living in substandard housing are prioritized on the waiting list, so you may move up faster than other applicants. Tell the authority about your situation when you explore. You may also want to contact local homeless services or community action agencies in Prichard, which can help you find emergency shelter while you wait for permanent housing.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher in a different city?

Vouchers are portable in some cases, meaning you can move to another city if the receiving authority accepts your voucher. However, you must request a transfer and the receiving authority must have vouchers available. Contact the Prichard Housing Authority to ask about portability and which other areas accept transfers.

What happens if my income goes up?

If your income increases, your rent will increase in public housing. With a voucher, your portion of rent may increase depending on the new payment standard. The authority will recalculate your rent and notify you of the change. If your income exceeds the limit for the program, you may lose your housing, though most programs allow a grace period.

How long does the background check take?

Background checks typically take two to four weeks, but can take longer if the authority needs to contact previous landlords or employers. You will be notified once the check is complete and whether you have been approved or denied. If denied, you have the right to know why and to dispute inaccurate information.