What the Shreveport Housing Authority does

The Shreveport Housing Authority (SHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and rental voucher programs in Shreveport, Louisiana. It does not build or own most of the housing itself — instead, it pays private landlords to house low-income residents, and it manages public housing properties where it does own the buildings. SHA is separate from the city government, though it operates under state and federal rules.

The two main programs SHA runs are public housing (where SHA owns the building) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, often called Section 8. Both serve households below certain income limits. SHA also manages waiting lists, collects rent, handles maintenance, and processes lease transfers or terminations.

SHA is not a landlord you call for repairs if you rent from a private owner using a voucher — your landlord is. SHA's role is to pay part of your rent and make sure the unit meets housing standards. If you live in a SHA-owned building, SHA is your landlord and you call them for repairs.

Key Takeaways

  • SHA runs public housing (SHA-owned buildings) and Housing Choice Vouchers (rent paid to private landlords), each with separate waiting lists and income limits.
  • You must be a U.S. citizen or may be able to access immigrant, pass a background check, and meet income limits that vary by household size to be considered.
  • Waiting lists for both programs are typically closed or have long wait times; you can contact SHA to ask current status and whether you can be added.
  • If you receive a voucher, you find your own rental unit and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher before SHA will sign a lease.
  • SHA's main office is located in Shreveport and handles all applications, lease questions, and rent payment issues.

How to contact Shreveport Housing Authority

SHA's main office is at 1444 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. You can reach them by phone at (318) 674-6500. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., though you should call ahead to confirm current hours and whether an in-person visit is needed for your question.

When you call, have your name, address, and any SHA case number ready. If you are asking about a waiting list, ask whether the list is currently open and what the estimated wait time is. Wait times change based on how many people are ahead of you and how many units become available, so the answer you get today may not be the same next month.

You can also visit SHA's office in person to pick up applications or ask questions. Some questions — like reporting a maintenance issue or paying rent — can often be handled by phone or mail, so ask what method works best for your situation.

Income limits and who can be considered

SHA programs have income limits based on household size. These limits change each year and are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). For 2024, the limits in Shreveport vary — a single person might have a limit around $31,000 per year, while a family of four might be around $49,600 per year, but you should contact SHA directly for the exact current figures, as they are updated annually.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or an may be able to access immigrant with proper documentation. SHA will ask for a Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) and will verify immigration status. You cannot have been evicted for non-payment in the past three years, and you cannot have a criminal history that disqualifies you under federal rules — though SHA has some discretion in how strictly these rules are applied.

If you have a criminal record, contact SHA before you assume you are disqualified. Some convictions are automatic bars, but others are not, and SHA may consider the age of the offense and what you have done since.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

Public housing means SHA owns the building and you are SHA's tenant. You pay rent directly to SHA based on your income — typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a minimum rent (often around $50 to $100 per month). SHA is responsible for maintenance, utilities (in most cases), and building upkeep. You live in a SHA property and follow SHA's lease terms.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) mean SHA gives you a voucher worth a certain amount of money each month, and you use it to rent from a private landlord. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and SHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent — usually 30 percent of your income, whichever is less. The landlord gets the rest from SHA.

Public housing has shorter waiting lists in some cities but longer ones in others. Vouchers give you more choice in where to live but require you to find a landlord willing to accept the program. Both have separate waiting lists, so you can be on both at the same time.

Waiting lists and how to get on one

SHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers. Both lists are often closed, meaning SHA is not currently taking new applications. You can call SHA to ask whether a list is open and, if it is closed, when it might reopen or whether you can be added to a future opening notification list.

When a list is open, you will need to fill out an process in person at SHA's office or, in some cases, online if SHA offers that option. You will need to bring proof of identity, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency, and Social Security numbers for all household members. If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring immigration documents.

After you are added to a waiting list, SHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. This can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. SHA will verify your income and background again before offering you a unit or voucher, so your situation may have changed since you applied.

What happens after you are offered housing

If SHA offers you a public housing unit, you will sign a lease with SHA. The lease explains your rights and responsibilities, including rules about guests, pets, maintenance, and what happens if you break the lease. You will pay rent based on your income and move into the unit. SHA will conduct a move-in inspection and document the condition of the apartment.

If you are offered a Housing Choice Voucher, SHA will give you a voucher packet explaining how much money you can spend on rent and how the program works. You then have a set amount of time (usually 60 days) to find an apartment, get the landlord to agree to accept the voucher, and have SHA inspect the unit. Once the inspection passes, SHA and the landlord sign a lease, and you move in. You pay your share of the rent to the landlord each month, and SHA pays their share directly to the landlord.

In both cases, SHA will conduct annual inspections to make sure the unit meets housing quality standards. If repairs are needed, SHA (for public housing) or the landlord (for vouchers) must fix them within a certain timeframe.

Rent, lease changes, and what to do if there is a problem

In public housing, your rent is recalculated each year based on your current income. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. If it goes up, your rent goes up. You report income changes to SHA, and they update your rent. You pay rent to SHA by the date stated in your lease, usually the first of the month.

If you want to move to a different SHA unit or transfer your voucher to a different apartment, contact SHA to ask about the process. Transfers are not automatic — SHA must approve the new unit and, for vouchers, the new landlord must agree to participate in the program.

If you have a maintenance problem in public housing, call SHA's maintenance line or submit a work order. SHA must respond within a certain timeframe depending on how serious the problem is. If SHA does not make repairs, you can contact the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency or file a complaint with HUD. If you have a problem with a private landlord while using a voucher, contact SHA to report it — SHA can investigate and may remove the landlord from the program if there are violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get housing from SHA?

Wait times depend on how many people are on the list and how many units or vouchers become available. Some people wait months; others wait years. Call SHA to ask the current wait time for the program you are interested in. Wait times are not may provide and can change.

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

Yes. The lists are separate, so you can be on both. If you are offered one program first, you can accept it or stay on the other list. Let SHA know if your situation changes so they can update your information.

What if my income goes up after I move into SHA housing?

Your rent will increase. SHA recalculates rent annually based on your reported income. If you earn more, you pay more. If your income exceeds the program limit, SHA may ask you to move out, though rules vary and you should ask SHA about the specific income limit for your household size.

Do I have to accept the first unit or voucher SHA offers me?

For public housing, you generally must accept the unit offered or you may lose your place on the waiting list. For vouchers, you have time to search for an apartment you want, but you must find one within the timeframe SHA gives you. Ask SHA about their specific policy on refusals.

What if I think SHA is treating me unfairly?

You have the right to request a hearing if SHA denies you housing, terminates your lease, or makes a decision you believe is wrong. Ask SHA for information about the hearing process. You can also file a complaint with HUD's Office of Inspector General or contact a local legal aid organization for help.