What a Texas public housing authority actually does

A Texas public housing authority (PHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages rental housing for low-income residents. It is not a statewide office — each city or county runs its own authority, and they operate independently. The authority owns the buildings, sets the rent (which is typically 30 percent of a household's income), handles maintenance, and decides who can move in.

Texas has more than 60 public housing authorities spread across the state. The largest ones serve Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Austin, but smaller cities and rural counties have their own as well. When you contact a PHA, you are dealing with a local agency that answers to its own board, not to a central Texas office.

Public housing is different from Section 8 vouchers, which the same authority may also administer but which work through private landlords. In public housing, the authority is the landlord. You pay rent to the authority, the authority maintains the property, and the authority enforces the lease.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Texas city or county has its own public housing authority, and they do not share waiting lists or transfer between jurisdictions.
  • Public housing rent is capped at 30 percent of your household income, and the authority verifies income annually.
  • Waiting lists exist in most Texas PHAs and can be years long, especially in major cities.
  • You must meet income limits set by the federal government, which vary by family size and location.
  • The authority can evict you for lease violations, but you have the right to a hearing before eviction.

How to find your local Texas public housing authority

Start by identifying which city or county you live in, then search for that authority by name. For example, if you live in Houston, you contact the Housing Authority of the City of Houston. If you live in an unincorporated area of Harris County, you may contact the Harris County Housing Authority instead. The two are separate agencies.

The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs maintains a directory of all PHAs in the state on its website. You can also call 211 (a free referral line) and ask for the public housing authority in your area — they will give you the phone number and address. Many authorities now accept inquiries through their websites, though phone calls are usually faster for basic questions about whether they are accepting new applications.

Do not assume you can explore to an authority outside your county and then move into housing there. Most PHAs only house people who live or work in their service area. If you are moving to a new city, you will need to contact the authority in that city after you arrive.

Income limits and who can live in public housing

Public housing is reserved for households earning at or below 80 percent of the area median income. The actual dollar amount depends on where you live and how many people are in your household. A family of four in Dallas has a different income limit than a family of four in a rural Texas county. The authority in your area publishes its current income limits on its website or can tell you over the phone.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status. The authority will ask for proof of identity and will run a background check. Criminal history does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly drug-related felonies or crimes of violence — may. The authority has discretion to deny housing based on criminal history, but it must follow federal fair housing rules and cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability.

If you have a disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation in the process process or in the housing itself. This might mean a ground-floor unit, accessible parking, or extra time to submit documents. Tell the authority about your disability when you first contact them.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Most Texas PHAs maintain waiting lists because demand exceeds the number of available units. How long you wait depends on the authority and the size of unit you need. In Houston and Dallas, waiting lists can be several years long. In smaller cities, the wait may be shorter, but it varies widely.

Some authorities close their waiting lists when they become too long and reopen them periodically. Before you spend time on an process, call the authority and ask whether they are currently accepting new names on the list. If the list is closed, ask when they expect to reopen it.

Once your name is on the list, the authority will contact you when a unit matching your family size becomes available. You will have a limited time (usually 10 to 14 days) to accept or decline the offer. If you decline, you may stay on the list but move down in priority. If you do not respond, you may be removed from the list entirely.

The lease and your rights as a public housing resident

When you move into public housing, you sign a lease with the authority. The lease sets out your obligations — paying rent on time, keeping the unit clean, not disturbing neighbors, and following all house rules. The authority's obligations include maintaining the building, making repairs within a reasonable time, and providing essential services like heat and water.

You have the right to a lease that complies with Texas Property Code and federal housing law. The authority cannot include terms that waive your legal rights. If the authority tries to evict you, it must follow the eviction process in court — it cannot lock you out or remove your belongings without a court order. You have the right to appear in court and present your side of the case.

If the unit needs repairs, contact the authority's maintenance department in writing (email or a written note works). If the repair is urgent — no heat in winter, no water, a serious safety hazard — call and document the date and time you called. If the authority does not make the repair within a reasonable time, you may have the right to repair it yourself and deduct the cost from rent, but only after following the proper legal steps. Do not straightforward stop paying rent without consulting a tenant rights organization first.

Rent calculation and income recertification

Public housing rent is calculated as 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income. The authority counts wages, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular income. It does not count some types of income, such as certain education grants or the first $480 per year of child support.

The authority recertifies your income once a year, usually on the anniversary of your lease. You must report changes in income, family size, or employment status within 30 days. If your income increases, your rent will increase. If your income decreases, your rent will decrease. If you do not report changes and the authority discovers them later, you may owe back rent or face lease violations.

If you cannot afford the recertified rent, contact the authority and ask about your options. Some authorities have hardship policies or can work out a payment plan. Do not ignore a rent increase notice — the authority can begin eviction proceedings if rent goes unpaid.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer my public housing lease to a different Texas city?

No. Each authority manages its own housing stock and waiting list. If you move to a different city, you must explore to that city's authority separately. Your time on one waiting list does not carry over. You can be on multiple waiting lists at the same time, but you will start from the beginning in each location.

What happens if I lose my job or my income drops?

Contact the authority when ready and ask to recertify your income early. Your rent is based on your current income, so if your income drops, your rent should drop too. The authority will ask for proof of the income change — a termination letter, a new pay stub, or a letter from your benefits agency. Do not wait until the annual recertification to report the change.

Can the authority evict me for having visitors or guests?

The authority can only evict you for lease violations. Having overnight guests is generally allowed, but the lease may limit how long guests can stay or require you to notify the authority. Read your lease carefully. If you are unsure whether something violates the lease, ask the authority in writing before you do it. If the authority claims you violated the lease, you have the right to a hearing in court before eviction.

What if I have a criminal record?

A criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but the authority will consider it. Drug-related felonies and crimes of violence are more likely to result in denial. The authority must follow federal rules and cannot deny you based solely on an arrest — only a conviction. If you are denied, you have the right to know why and to request a hearing to dispute the decision.

How do I report maintenance problems or unsafe conditions?

Contact the authority's maintenance department by phone or in writing. Keep a copy of your request and note the date and time. If the problem is urgent and affects your health or safety, call and ask for emergency service. If the authority does not respond within a reasonable time, contact a local tenant rights organization or legal aid office — they can advise you on your next steps under Texas law.