What the Waco Housing Authority does

The Waco Housing Authority is a local government agency that owns and manages public housing in McLennan County, Texas. It does not set housing policy for the city or county — it runs specific housing programs and properties. The Authority operates public housing units, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and manages other affordable housing initiatives in the Waco area.

The Authority is separate from the City of Waco and McLennan County government, though it receives some public funding. It answers to its own board of commissioners and follows rules set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), which funds most of its programs. If you are looking for housing information in Waco, the Authority is often the first place to contact because it manages the largest pool of subsidized housing locally.

Key Takeaways

  • The Waco Housing Authority runs public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, which are the two main forms of subsidized housing it manages.
  • To get on a waiting list, you must contact the Authority directly — there is no online process that works across all programs, and lists are managed separately by program type.
  • Waiting times vary widely depending on the program and current demand; some lists are open and some are closed, and the Authority updates this status regularly.
  • Income limits explore to most programs, and the Authority will ask for proof of income, household composition, and citizenship or immigration status during the intake process.
  • The Authority's offices are located in Waco, and you can reach them by phone or in person to ask about current openings and what documents you will need.

Public housing units managed by the Authority

The Waco Housing Authority owns and operates apartment complexes and scattered-site homes throughout Waco. These are properties where the Authority is the landlord. Rent is set based on your household income — typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross income — rather than market rate. The Authority handles maintenance, utilities (in some cases), and property management.

Public housing units are not temporary. Once you are placed in a unit, you can stay as long as you meet the lease terms and income limits. However, the Authority does conduct annual recertifications to verify your income and household composition. If your income rises above the program limit, you may be asked to pay higher rent or eventually move out, though the Authority usually gives notice and time to transition.

The number of public housing units available changes slowly. The Authority does not regularly open its waiting list for public housing — when it does, it is usually announced through local media and the Authority's office. Waiting times can be several years depending on unit size and location.

Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program

The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8, is different from public housing. The Authority gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent at a private landlord's property. You find the apartment yourself, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and the Authority pays the landlord directly. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent.

The voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and bedroom size, set by HUD. If you find an apartment that rents for less than the voucher amount, you pay less. If the apartment costs more, you pay the difference out of pocket. The Authority inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards before approving it.

The Section 8 waiting list in Waco is often closed because demand is high and the Authority has a limited number of vouchers. When the list opens, it fills quickly. You can contact the Authority to ask whether the list is currently open and, if it is closed, whether you can get on a future opening list.

Income limits and household requirements

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits. The limits depend on household size and are set by HUD based on the area median income for the Waco region. A household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. The Authority counts gross income before taxes, and includes wages, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and other regular income sources.

You must also meet other requirements: you must be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, you cannot have been evicted for non-payment in the past three years (though exceptions exist), and you cannot have a criminal record involving certain offenses. The Authority conducts a background check as part of the intake process. If you have questions about whether a past event will disqualify you, ask the Authority directly — policies can vary and some situations have exceptions.

The Authority will ask for documents to verify income, such as recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements. If you are unemployed, you may need to provide proof of job search or enrollment in a work program. Bring whatever income documentation you have when you contact the Authority.

How to contact the Waco Housing Authority

The Waco Housing Authority's main office is located in Waco. You can reach them by phone to ask about current waiting list status, program requirements, and what documents to bring. The office staff can tell you whether lists are open, how long the wait typically is, and what the next steps are.

You can also visit the office in person to ask questions and get information. Bring identification and any income documents you have on hand. The staff can explain which program might work for your situation and what the timeline looks like. If you do not speak English, ask whether an interpreter is available or can be arranged.

The Authority's contact information is available through the City of Waco website, local 211 services, or by searching "Waco Housing Authority" online. When you call, have your household size and approximate income ready so the staff can give you accurate information about your options.

Waiting lists and current status

The Waco Housing Authority manages separate waiting lists for public housing and Section 8. The lists are not combined, and being on one does not put you on the other. Public housing lists are sometimes open and sometimes closed depending on how many units are available and how many people are already waiting. Section 8 lists are more often closed because the demand is very high relative to the number of vouchers available.

Waiting times vary. For public housing, you might wait months to several years depending on the unit size you need and current turnover. For Section 8, if the list is open, you may wait one to three years or longer, though this varies. The Authority prioritizes based on the date you joined the list — first in, first out — though some preferences exist for people experiencing homelessness or other circumstances.

The status of waiting lists changes. The Authority may open or close lists without much advance notice. Contact the Authority directly to find out the current status rather than relying on outdated information. Ask specifically whether the list is open, whether you can join, and what the current wait time is.

What happens after you are placed

Once you are selected from the waiting list, the Authority will contact you with next steps. For public housing, you will sign a lease with the Authority and move into an assigned unit. For Section 8, you will receive a voucher and have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment and have it approved by the Authority.

After you move in, you must follow the lease terms. For public housing, this means paying your portion of rent on time and keeping the unit in good condition. For Section 8, you must pay your share of rent and notify the Authority if you move or if your household changes. The Authority conducts annual recertifications to update your income and household information.

If you stop meeting program requirements — for example, if your income rises significantly above the limit — the Authority will notify you. For public housing, your rent may increase or you may eventually be asked to leave. For Section 8, the voucher may be terminated. The Authority is required to give you notice and an opportunity to respond before taking action.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get public housing or Section 8 in Waco?

Wait times depend on the program and current demand. Public housing waiting lists can be several years long. Section 8 lists are often closed, and when open, waits are typically one to three years or longer. Contact the Authority to ask about the current wait for your household size.

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The lists are separate, and you can join both. However, once you are placed in either program, you must leave the other waiting list. Let the Authority know if you are no longer interested in one program so they can remove you.

What if my income goes up after I move into public housing?

The Authority will recertify your income annually. If your income rises above the program limit, your rent will increase to reflect your new income. If it rises significantly above the limit, you may eventually be asked to move, but the Authority will give you notice and time to transition.

Do I need a job to get Section 8 or public housing?

No. You do not need to be employed. However, you must have some form of income — wages, benefits, child support, or other regular income — to meet the program's requirements. If you are unemployed, the Authority may ask about job search efforts or enrollment in a work program.

What if I have a criminal record or past eviction?

The Authority conducts background checks and has policies about criminal history and evictions. Some offenses and recent evictions may disqualify you, but policies vary and exceptions exist. Contact the Authority directly to discuss your specific situation — they can tell you whether you are likely to be considered.