What Travis County Housing Authority does
Travis County Housing Authority is a public agency that runs housing programs for people in Travis County, Texas — the county that includes Austin. The Authority manages public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (often called Section 8), and runs other information programs. It does not build or own most of the housing itself; instead, it pays landlords to rent units to people who meet income limits, or it provides vouchers that tenants can use at privately owned properties.
The Authority is separate from the City of Austin's housing programs, though both serve the same geographic area. If you live in unincorporated Travis County (outside Austin city limits), the Authority is often your main local resource. If you live within Austin, you may have options through both the city and the county.
Key Takeaways
- Travis County Housing Authority runs public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program, both for people below certain income limits that change each year.
- The Authority maintains waiting lists for both programs, and wait times are typically measured in years, not months.
- You can contact the Authority directly to learn current income limits, current wait times, and whether either program is accepting new names on the list.
- The Authority also administers emergency rental information and other temporary programs when funding is available, separate from its main housing programs.
- Fraud reporting and lease violation complaints go to the Authority's management office, not to a separate oversight body.
Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers
Travis County Housing Authority operates two main programs. Public housing means units the Authority owns or controls directly; you pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and the Authority covers the rest. Housing Choice Vouchers mean the Authority gives you a voucher worth a set dollar amount, and you find a private landlord willing to accept it; you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent.
Both programs have income limits. A single person's income must fall below a certain threshold; a family's income limit is higher. These thresholds change yearly and vary slightly by family size. The Authority publishes current limits on its website or can tell you over the phone. If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program.
Both programs also have waiting lists. The Authority does not turn people away; instead, it adds your name to a list and contacts you when a unit or voucher becomes available. Wait times vary. For public housing, wait times in Travis County have historically been several years. For vouchers, wait times can be equally long. Some years the Authority closes the waiting list temporarily because the backlog is too large.
How to contact Travis County Housing Authority
The Authority's main office is located in Austin. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current programs, income limits, and wait times. The phone number and office address are on the Authority's official website, which you can find by searching "Travis County Housing Authority" or by visiting the county's main website.
When you call or visit, have your household income information ready. The staff can tell you whether you meet the income limit and whether the waiting list is open. If you want to add your name to a list, the Authority will explain what documents you need to bring or mail in. Bring or provide proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency in Travis County.
Do not rely on third-party websites or brokers claiming to speed up the process or may provide placement. The Authority's waiting list is free and managed directly by the agency. Anyone charging a fee to put your name on the list is running a scam.
Emergency rental information and temporary programs
Beyond its main housing programs, Travis County Housing Authority sometimes administers emergency rental information with funding from the state or federal government. These programs are temporary — they exist only when money is available, and they close when funds run out. Emergency information typically covers rent you already owe (arrears) rather than future rent, and it usually requires proof that a recent hardship caused you to fall behind.
The Authority announces these programs on its website and through local social service agencies. If you need emergency help with rent, call the Authority's main number and ask whether any emergency programs are currently open. You can also contact your local 211 service (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) to learn what programs are active in Travis County at that moment.
Reporting fraud or lease violations
If you suspect fraud — for example, if you believe another tenant is misrepresenting their income or household composition to stay in public housing — you can report it to the Authority's management office. The Authority investigates reports and can remove people from the program if they find violations.
If you are a tenant in Authority housing and your landlord or the Authority itself is not maintaining the unit or is violating your lease, you can file a complaint with the Authority's management office. Document the problem with photos or written notes showing dates. The Authority has an obligation to maintain units in habitable condition; if it fails to do so, you may have grounds to withhold rent or break the lease, though you should consult a local tenant rights organization before taking that step.
Income limits and rent calculations
Income limits for Travis County Housing Authority programs are set at a percentage of the area median income. The Authority updates these limits each year, usually in the spring. A single person's limit might be around 50 percent of median income; a family of four's limit is higher. Exact numbers change annually and depend on family size.
In public housing, your rent is typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent (usually $25 to $50 per month). If your income is very low, you still pay the minimum. If your income rises while you are in the program, your rent rises with it. The Authority recalculates rent annually or when your income changes significantly.
For Housing Choice Vouchers, the calculation is more complex. The voucher covers the difference between what you pay and the "payment standard" set by the Authority. If you find a unit renting for less than the payment standard, you pay less. If the unit rents for more, you pay the difference out of pocket (up to a limit set by the program).
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the waiting list for public housing or vouchers?
Wait times vary and change over time. In Travis County, both lists have historically had waits of several years. The only way to know the current wait time is to contact the Authority directly by phone or in person. They can tell you how many people are ahead of you and give you a rough estimate of when your name might come up.
What if my income is above the limit?
You do not meet the income requirement for Travis County Housing Authority programs. However, other options may exist: some private landlords offer below-market rent, some nonprofits run their own housing programs with different income limits, and some employers offer housing information. Contact a local housing counselor or 211 to explore alternatives.
Can I be on the waiting list for both public housing and vouchers at the same time?
Yes. The two programs are separate, and the Authority maintains separate waiting lists. You can add your name to both. If a voucher becomes available first, you can accept it; if you later want to move to public housing when your name comes up on that list, you may be able to do so, though rules vary.
What happens if I report fraud and the person is my neighbor?
The Authority investigates reports confidentially. You do not have to identify yourself, though the investigation may eventually reveal who reported the issue. If you are concerned about retaliation, mention that to the Authority when you report. Retaliation against a tenant for reporting violations is illegal under federal housing law.
Does Travis County Housing Authority help with utilities or other costs besides rent?
The main programs (public housing and vouchers) cover rent only. Some temporary programs funded by the state or federal government may cover utilities or other costs when they are active. Call the Authority or contact 211 to ask whether any utility information programs are currently open in Travis County.