What the Temple Housing Authority does

The Temple Housing Authority (THA) is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Temple, Texas. It does not set housing policy for the entire city — that is the city council's role — but it owns and operates public housing units and administers housing voucher programs for people who meet income limits. If you live in Temple and earn below a certain threshold, THA may have a unit available or may be able to help you pay rent at a private landlord's property through a voucher.

THA is separate from the city's planning department and from private landlords. It answers to a board of commissioners and follows federal rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That means the programs it runs, the rent you pay, and the lease terms are shaped by federal law, not just local preference.

Key Takeaways

  • The Temple Housing Authority owns public housing units and issues housing vouchers; it does not regulate private landlords or set city zoning rules.
  • To work with THA, your household income must fall below the area median income limit, which changes each year and depends on family size.
  • Public housing rent is set at 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, and THA handles maintenance and repairs on units it owns.
  • Housing vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and pay a portion of rent while THA pays the rest directly to the landlord.
  • Both public housing and voucher programs have waiting lists; the length varies and THA can tell you the current wait time by phone.

Public housing units managed by THA

THA owns and maintains apartment complexes and single-family homes in Temple. When you live in a THA public housing unit, THA is your landlord. You sign a lease with THA, pay rent based on your income (typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income), and THA is responsible for repairs, maintenance, and building upkeep.

The rent you pay does not cover the full cost of the unit — the difference comes from federal funding. This is why income limits exist: the program is designed for households earning below a set threshold. THA will ask for proof of income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer, to determine your rent amount and whether you meet the income cap.

Public housing units are not temporary. You can stay as long as you follow the lease terms, your income remains below the limit (or you are in a hardship situation), and you meet the program's occupancy rules. If your income rises above the limit, THA may ask you to leave or may allow you to stay at a higher rent rate, depending on federal rules in effect at the time.

Housing vouchers and how they work

A housing voucher (also called a Section 8 voucher) is a subsidy that lets you rent from any private landlord who accepts the program. You find the apartment, the landlord agrees to participate, and THA pays a portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month. You pay the rest — usually 30 percent of your adjusted gross income — out of pocket.

The voucher has a dollar limit, called the payment standard. If the rent is higher than the payment standard, you pay the difference. If the rent is lower, you pay less. This means you have some choice in where you live, but you cannot rent a unit that costs far more than the payment standard unless you can afford the gap yourself.

To use a voucher, the landlord must pass a housing quality inspection (HQI). THA sends an inspector to check that the unit meets basic safety and livability standards — working plumbing, heat, no lead paint hazards, and so on. If the unit fails, the landlord must fix the problems before you can move in. Once you are living there, THA inspects again every two years.

Income limits and how they are set

THA uses income limits set by HUD each year. The limit depends on your household size and the area median income (AMI) for Temple. For example, a single person might have a limit of 50 percent of AMI, while a family of four might have a different limit. These numbers change every year, usually in April.

Your income is counted as gross income minus certain deductions. THA will ask about wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other sources. Some deductions explore — for example, a deduction for elderly or disabled household members, or for child care expenses — so your "adjusted" income may be lower than your total earnings.

If your income exceeds the limit when you first explore, you do not meet the requirement. If your income rises after you are already in the program, THA will recertify you (usually once a year) and may adjust your rent or ask you to leave, depending on the rules in place at that time.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists in Temple. The length of the wait depends on how many units or vouchers are available, how many people are ahead of you, and whether THA is currently accepting new applications. Some years the list is open; other years it is closed because too many people are waiting.

You can call THA directly to ask whether the list is open and how long the current wait is. Do not rely on outdated information from a website — the wait time changes. THA staff can tell you the real number and can explain whether you can add your name now or whether you need to wait for the list to reopen.

Once you are on the list, THA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You will have a limited time to respond — usually a few days — so keep your contact information current with THA. If you do not respond, THA may move to the next person on the list.

How to contact the Temple Housing Authority

The Temple Housing Authority office is located in Temple, Texas. You can reach them by phone to ask about current waiting lists, income limits for the current year, and what documents you need to bring if you want to explore. They can also tell you whether they are currently accepting applications for public housing, vouchers, or both.

When you call or visit, have your household size and approximate income ready. THA staff can give you a quick answer about whether you might meet the income requirement and what the next step would be. If you are ready to explore, they will tell you what documents to bring — usually proof of income, proof of citizenship or legal residency, and identification.

What happens after you explore

After you submit an process, THA will verify your income, citizenship status, and background. This takes time — usually several weeks to several months, depending on how busy the office is and how quickly you provide documents they request. THA will contact you if they need more information.

If you are approved and a unit or voucher becomes available, THA will offer it to you. For public housing, you will sign a lease with THA. For a voucher, you will receive the voucher and then have a set amount of time (usually 120 days) to find a landlord and a unit that meets the program's requirements. If you do not find a unit within that time, you may lose the voucher.

Once you move in, you are responsible for following the lease terms. For public housing, that means paying your rent on time and maintaining the unit. For vouchers, it means paying your portion of rent on time and letting THA know if you move or if your household changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Temple Housing Authority set rules for all landlords in Temple?

No. THA only sets rules for landlords who participate in its voucher program or who rent THA-owned units. Private landlords who do not work with THA are not regulated by THA. City zoning and building codes are set by the city council and city staff, not by THA.

What if my income goes up after I move into a THA unit?

THA will recertify your income, usually once a year. If your income rises above the limit, THA may raise your rent, ask you to leave, or in some cases allow you to stay under a hardship exemption. The exact rule depends on federal policy at the time. THA will explain your options when they recertify you.

Can I choose which unit or neighborhood I get?

For public housing, you have limited choice — THA offers you an available unit and you can accept or decline it. If you decline, you may lose your spot on the waiting list. For vouchers, you choose the unit and neighborhood, but the rent must be at or below the payment standard and the landlord must pass inspection.

What if I need to break my lease early?

Contact THA when ready. Breaking a lease early may have consequences, such as owing money or losing your voucher. THA can explain what options exist in your situation and what the process is.

How do I know if THA is currently accepting applications?

Call the Temple Housing Authority directly. They can tell you whether the waiting list for public housing, vouchers, or both is open. Do not assume the list is closed based on old information — call to confirm the current status.