How the Wichita Falls Housing Authority Works and What It Manages

What the Wichita Falls Housing Authority does

The Wichita Falls Housing Authority (WFHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages public housing in Wichita Falls, Texas. It administers rental information programs, maintains public housing properties, and handles lease enforcement for its residents. The Authority does not set statewide policy — it operates only within Wichita Falls city limits and answers to a local board of commissioners.

The WFHA manages two main things: public housing units (apartments and houses it owns directly) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, sometimes called Section 8. If you live in a WFHA property or hold a voucher from them, they are your landlord or your voucher administrator. If you do not, they have no authority over your lease or your housing situation.

Key Takeaways

The Wichita Falls Housing Authority manages public housing properties and Housing Choice Vouchers only within city limits; it does not oversee private rentals or properties managed by other agencies.
Public housing and voucher programs have separate waiting lists, and both typically have long delays before a unit or voucher becomes available.
WFHA collects rent, enforces lease terms, and handles maintenance requests for properties it owns; contact them directly with repair issues or payment questions.
The Authority's office is located in Wichita Falls, and you can reach them by phone or in person during business hours to ask about current program status.

Public housing managed by WFHA

WFHA owns and operates public housing complexes throughout Wichita Falls. These are rental properties where the Authority is the landlord. Rent is typically set at 30 percent of your household income, though the exact amount depends on your income level and family size. You must meet income limits to live in public housing — these limits change annually and vary by household composition.

If you live in a WFHA public housing property, your lease is with the Authority, and WFHA handles maintenance, repairs, and lease enforcement. Rent is paid to WFHA, and lease violations are handled through WFHA's process. The Authority can evict you through the courts if you break lease terms or stop paying rent.

Public housing waiting lists in Wichita Falls are typically closed or have significant delays. Contact WFHA directly to learn whether the list is currently open and how long the wait is estimated to be.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) administered by WFHA

WFHA also administers the Housing Choice Voucher program, which gives may be able to access households a voucher they can use to rent from a private landlord. The voucher covers part of the rent; you pay the rest. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and meet WFHA's housing quality standards.

Voucher holders do not rent from WFHA — they rent from private landlords and use the voucher as part of payment. WFHA inspects the unit to may support it meets standards, processes the voucher payment to the landlord, and handles disputes between tenant and landlord related to the voucher terms. Your lease is with the private landlord, not with WFHA, but WFHA enforces the voucher rules.

The Housing Choice Voucher waiting list in Wichita Falls is also typically closed or has extended wait times. WFHA can tell you the current status and whether they are accepting new applications.

How to contact WICHITA FALLS HOUSING AUTHORITY

The WFHA office is located in Wichita Falls. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about program status, waiting list information, rent payment, maintenance requests, or lease questions. The office staff can tell you whether waiting lists are open, how long the wait is, and what documents you will need if you want to be added to a list.

If you are a current resident or voucher holder, contact WFHA with maintenance emergencies, rent payment issues, or questions about your lease. If you are interested in public housing or a voucher but are not yet a resident, call to ask about waiting list status and next steps.

You can also visit the WFHA office in person during business hours. Bring any documents related to your inquiry — a lease, a maintenance request, or proof of income if you are asking about program status.

Income limits and rent calculation

Both public housing and voucher programs have income limits that determine who can participate. These limits are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and are updated annually. They vary by household size — a single person has a different limit than a family of four.

In public housing, rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, with a minimum rent amount set by WFHA. If your income changes, your rent may change. You must report income changes to WFHA within a certain timeframe, usually 30 days.

With a Housing Choice Voucher, the voucher amount is based on the local fair market rent for your area and your household size. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. If rent rises, your share may rise unless the landlord agrees to keep it the same.

Waiting lists and how they work

WFHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and for Housing Choice Vouchers. Both lists are typically closed or have long wait times — sometimes years. When a list is open, WFHA accepts applications in order and moves through them as units or vouchers become available.

If you are on a waiting list, WFHA will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. You must respond within the timeframe they give you, usually 10 to 14 days. If you do not respond, you may be removed from the list. Your position on the list does not may provide you will receive a unit or voucher — it means you are waiting your turn.

Call WFHA to ask whether waiting lists are currently open and what the estimated wait time is. This information changes, and some lists open and close throughout the year as funding and unit availability change.

Maintenance and repair requests

If you live in a WFHA public housing property, contact WFHA to report maintenance issues or request repairs. WFHA is responsible for maintaining the property and making repairs within a reasonable timeframe. Emergency repairs — no heat, no water, electrical hazards — should be reported when ready and may have a faster response time.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher and rent from a private landlord, you report repairs to your landlord, not to WFHA. WFHA inspects the property to may support it meets housing quality standards, but the landlord is responsible for making repairs. If your landlord refuses to make necessary repairs, you can contact WFHA to report the issue, and they may conduct an inspection or remove the landlord from the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing in Wichita Falls?

Wait times vary and change throughout the year. The list may be closed, or the wait could be several months to several years depending on how many units are available and how many people are on the list. Call WFHA directly to learn the current status and estimated wait time.

Can I use a WFHA voucher to rent anywhere in Wichita Falls?

You can rent from any private landlord who agrees to accept the voucher and whose property meets WFHA housing quality standards. The landlord must pass an inspection before you can move in. Not all landlords accept vouchers, so you will need to search for properties and ask landlords whether they participate in the program.

What happens if I lose my job and cannot pay rent?

If you live in WFHA public housing, contact them when ready to report the change in income. Your rent is recalculated based on your new income, which may lower your payment. If you hold a voucher, report the income change to WFHA as well. Do not stop paying rent — contact WFHA first to discuss your situation.

Can WFHA help me if I rent from a private landlord not in their program?

No. WFHA only has authority over properties it owns and over landlords who participate in the Housing Choice Voucher program. If you rent from a private landlord outside the program, you would need to contact your city or county for other resources, or speak with a local legal aid organization about your tenant rights.

How do I report a maintenance problem in my WFHA public housing unit?

Contact WFHA by phone or in person to submit a maintenance request. Describe the problem and provide your unit number and address. For emergencies like no heat or water, call when ready and ask for emergency response. WFHA will schedule a repair visit and should complete non-emergency repairs within a set timeframe, usually 14 to 30 days depending on the issue.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.