What the Slidell Housing Authority Does

The Slidell Housing Authority (SHA) is a local government agency that runs public housing and rental voucher programs in Slidell, Louisiana. It does not provide cash information or emergency grants. Instead, it owns and manages apartment complexes for low-income residents, and it distributes Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly called Section 8) that help tenants pay rent in privately owned units. The Authority also administers other federal housing programs that vary by year and funding.

SHA operates under federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That means the income limits, rent calculations, and waiting list procedures are standardized, but SHA staff make the day-to-day decisions about who gets housed and when. If you want to know whether a specific program is open or what your next step is, you contact SHA directly — not HUD, not the city of Slidell, and not a third-party website.

Key Takeaways

  • Slidell Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Housing Choice Vouchers; both require you to be on a waiting list, which may be closed.
  • Income limits depend on household size and change yearly; you must earn below the limit to be considered, and rent is calculated as a percentage of your income.
  • You explore in person at SHA's office with proof of income, residency, and identity; there is no online process.
  • Waiting lists can be years long, and SHA does not may provide when or whether you will be housed.
  • Contact SHA directly at their office phone number or in person to learn whether programs are open and what documents you need to bring.

Public Housing vs. Housing Choice Vouchers

SHA owns and manages public housing complexes where you rent an apartment directly from the Authority. The rent you pay is based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though SHA calculates this according to federal rules. You live in an SHA-owned building with other low-income residents. Maintenance, utilities, and building operations are SHA's responsibility.

A Housing Choice Voucher works differently. SHA gives you a voucher (a document that represents a subsidy), and you use it to rent from any private landlord who agrees to participate. The landlord receives the voucher payment directly from SHA, and you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. This gives you more choice in where you live, but it depends on finding a landlord willing to accept the voucher. Some landlords refuse because the paperwork is complex or because they prefer market-rate tenants.

Both programs have waiting lists. Both require you to meet income limits. The main difference is control: public housing is SHA's building, vouchers are your choice of building. Neither is faster or easier than the other — it depends on the waiting list length and how many vouchers SHA has available.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

To be considered for SHA housing or vouchers, your household income must fall below the limit for your household size. These limits are set by HUD and change every year, usually in April. For example, the 2024 limit for a family of four in the New Orleans area (which includes Slidell) was around $52,000 gross annual income, but this varies and you should confirm the current year's limit with SHA directly.

Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and other regular payments. It does not include one-time payments like tax refunds or gifts. SHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters to verify what you earn.

Once you are housed, your rent is recalculated annually. You pay roughly 30 percent of your gross income as rent; the exact percentage and any deductions (such as for elderly or disabled household members) follow HUD rules. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises above the limit, you may be asked to leave or your rent may increase significantly.

how the process works and What Documents You Need

You explore in person at the Slidell Housing Authority office. There is no online process or phone process. Bring a photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of current income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters), and proof of residency in Slidell (utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency). If you are not a U.S. citizen, bring immigration documents showing your legal status.

SHA staff will fill out an process form with you and explain the waiting list process. They will tell you whether the program you want is open and how long the wait typically is. You will receive a letter confirming your process and your position on the waiting list (if there is one). Keep this letter — you may need it later.

After you explore, SHA will verify your information by contacting your employer, landlord, or benefit provider. This can take several weeks. Once verification is complete, you are officially on the waiting list. SHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, but there is no set timeline.

Waiting Lists and How Long It Takes

Most SHA programs have waiting lists because demand exceeds available units and vouchers. The length of the wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers SHA has. In some cases, the wait is a few months. In others, it is several years. SHA does not publish exact wait times, so you have to ask when you explore.

Some waiting lists are closed, meaning SHA is not accepting new applications. This happens when the list is already very long or when funding is uncertain. If the list is closed when you call, ask when it might reopen. SHA staff can tell you whether they expect to open it in the coming months or whether you should check back later.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change — you might move, lose income, or gain household members. Tell SHA when ready if anything changes, because it may affect your priority or your rent calculation. Some changes (like a new job) may move you down the list; others (like becoming homeless) may move you up.

Contacting Slidell Housing Authority

The Slidell Housing Authority office is located in Slidell, Louisiana. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask whether programs are open, what the current waiting list length is, or what documents you need to bring. The staff can also answer questions about rent calculations, lease terms, and maintenance requests if you are already a resident.

You can also visit the office in person to explore or to ask questions. Bring all required documents with you so the process can be completed the same day. If you do not have all documents, ask SHA which ones are most urgent and whether you can submit others later.

SHA's website may have contact information, office hours, and sometimes a list of current programs. However, the most reliable way to learn whether a program is open is to call or visit in person, because waiting list status changes frequently.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once SHA approves you and a unit or voucher becomes available, you will receive a letter or phone call. For public housing, SHA will show you available apartments and you choose one (if more than one is available). You sign a lease with SHA, pay a security deposit if required, and move in. Your rent is set based on your income at that time.

For a Housing Choice Voucher, SHA will give you the voucher and instructions on how to use it. You then search for a private apartment, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a lease, SHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards. If it passes, SHA and the landlord sign a contract, and you move in.

In both cases, you are responsible for following the lease terms and paying your portion of rent on time. SHA can evict you for non-payment, lease violations, or if your income rises above the program limit. You also have rights as a tenant — SHA must provide habitable housing, make repairs, and follow fair housing laws.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waiting list for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. You can explore to both programs and be on both waiting lists. If you are offered one before the other, you can accept it and ask SHA to remove you from the other list, or you can stay on both lists in case circumstances change.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

You do not meet the income requirement and cannot be housed through SHA programs. However, income limits change yearly, and your income may drop. You can ask SHA when the new limits are announced and whether you should reapply then. Some programs also have higher limits for elderly or disabled applicants.

Do I have to live in Slidell to explore?

SHA serves Slidell residents. You typically must live or work in Slidell or have a strong connection to the area. Ask SHA about their residency requirements when you call, because rules can vary by program and funding source.

What if I am homeless or about to be evicted?

Tell SHA about your situation when you explore. Some programs prioritize people facing homelessness or eviction, which may move you higher on the waiting list. Bring documentation of your housing crisis — an eviction notice, a letter from a shelter, or a lease termination notice. SHA can also refer you to emergency information programs while you wait.

Can I transfer to a different unit or neighborhood if I am already housed?

This depends on SHA policy and unit availability. If you are in public housing and want to move to a different SHA building, ask about transfers. If you have a voucher and want to move to a different private apartment, you can search for a new place and ask SHA to transfer your voucher. In both cases, there may be a wait or fees involved.