What the Shreveport Housing Authority does

The Shreveport Housing Authority (SHA) is a local public agency that manages public housing units in Shreveport, Louisiana, and administers rental information programs for low-income residents. The agency owns and operates apartment complexes throughout the city and also runs the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps tenants pay rent in privately owned units. If you live in Shreveport and need affordable housing or rental support, SHA is the body that handles both direct public housing and voucher-based information.

SHA serves as the point of contact for residents explore for public housing, renewing leases, reporting maintenance issues, or seeking information about Section 8 vouchers. The agency also manages waiting lists and determines who can move into available units based on income and other criteria.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shreveport Housing Authority manages public housing units and the Section 8 voucher program for low-income residents in Shreveport.
  • You can reach SHA by phone, mail, or in person at their main office to ask about housing programs or report maintenance problems.
  • Public housing and Section 8 vouchers both have waiting lists; you will need to provide income documentation and other proof to be considered.
  • Maintenance requests and lease questions go directly to SHA, not to a separate landlord or property manager.

How to contact the Shreveport Housing Authority

The main office of the Shreveport Housing Authority is located at 1444 Texas Avenue, Shreveport, Louisiana 71101. You can reach them by phone at (318) 674-6555 during business hours. The office is typically open Monday through Friday, though hours may vary seasonally, so calling ahead is wise if you need to visit in person.

When you call or visit, have your name, current address, and any lease or case number ready. If you are calling about a maintenance issue, describe the problem clearly and mention whether it affects heat, water, or safety—these are usually treated as urgent. For questions about Section 8 or public housing programs, be prepared to discuss your household income and family size.

You can also mail correspondence to SHA at their Texas Avenue address. Include your name, phone number, and a clear description of your question or request. Mail typically takes longer than a phone call, so use it for non-urgent matters or to create a written record of your request.

Public housing units managed by SHA

The Shreveport Housing Authority owns and operates several public housing communities throughout the city. These are apartment complexes where SHA is both the owner and the landlord. Rent is set based on your household income—typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income—rather than market rates. To move into public housing, you must meet income limits, which vary by family size and change annually.

Public housing units are assigned through a waiting list. When you contact SHA to express interest, they will add you to the list and notify you when a unit matching your family size becomes available. The wait time depends on how many people are ahead of you and how quickly units turn over. Some communities have shorter waits than others.

Once you are living in public housing, SHA handles all maintenance and repairs. You report issues directly to SHA's maintenance line, not to a private landlord. Your lease is with SHA, and rent increases or decreases based on changes to your income, which you report annually.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 program allows SHA to give you a voucher that covers a portion of your rent in a privately owned apartment or house. You find the unit yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and SHA pays the landlord directly for their share of the rent. You pay the difference out of pocket. This gives you more choice in where you live compared to public housing, since you are not limited to SHA-owned buildings.

Section 8 vouchers are also distributed through a waiting list. The list is often closed to new applicants because demand far exceeds available vouchers. When SHA opens the list, they typically accept applications for a limited period. You can call SHA to ask whether the Section 8 waiting list is currently open and what documents you will need to bring or mail in.

If you receive a voucher, you have a set amount of time to find a unit. The landlord must agree to rent to you and pass an inspection by SHA. Once you move in, you pay your portion of rent to the landlord each month, and SHA pays their portion directly to the landlord. You must recertify your income annually to keep the voucher active.

Income limits and what you need to bring

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits based on the area median income for Shreveport. A household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. SHA will tell you the current limits when you contact them, since they change each year. You must provide proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer.

You will also need to provide identification, proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a Social Security number for each household member. If you are currently renting, SHA may ask for a reference from your landlord. If you have a history of eviction or lease violations, disclose this when you explore—SHA will consider it, but it does not automatically disqualify you.

Bring or mail original documents or certified copies, not photocopies, unless SHA tells you otherwise. Keep copies for your own records. If your situation changes—you lose a job, your household size changes, or your income drops—contact SHA right away, as this may affect your status or rent amount.

Maintenance requests and lease issues

If you live in SHA public housing and have a maintenance problem, call SHA's maintenance line at the main office number. Describe the issue clearly: is the heat not working, is there a leak, is the stove broken? SHA will schedule a time for a maintenance worker to visit. Emergency issues like no heat in winter or no water should be reported when ready and marked as urgent.

If you have a question about your lease, your rent amount, or a notice from SHA, contact the leasing office at the main number. Do not ignore notices from SHA—they may relate to recertification, rent changes, or lease violations. If you disagree with a decision, ask SHA about the process to request a hearing or appeal.

Keep records of all maintenance requests and communications with SHA. Write down the date you called, who you spoke with, and what was discussed. If a problem is not fixed within a reasonable time, follow up in writing and keep a copy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or Section 8?

Wait times vary widely depending on the program and how many units are available. Public housing waits can range from months to several years. Section 8 waiting lists are often closed entirely because demand is so high. Call SHA to ask about current wait times for the specific program you are interested in.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

SHA will consider your rental history, but a past eviction does not automatically disqualify you. Be honest about it when you explore. SHA looks at the reason for the eviction and how long ago it happened. Recent evictions are viewed more seriously than older ones.

Can I move to a different unit if I am already in public housing?

You can request a transfer to another SHA unit, but availability is limited. Contact the leasing office to ask about the transfer process and whether units matching your needs are available. Transfers are not may provide and may have a wait time.

What happens if my income increases while I have a voucher or live in public housing?

You must report income changes to SHA. Your rent will likely increase because it is based on your income. You will recertify annually anyway, so increases will be caught then. Failing to report income changes can result in overpayment and may affect your future status.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher in a different city?

You can request a voucher transfer to another housing authority's jurisdiction, but it is not automatic. Contact SHA to ask about portability rules and whether the receiving authority has available vouchers. The process can take time, so plan ahead if you are planning to move.