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A young family filling in an application with a housing advisor

Module 3 of 6

Apply and get on a waiting list

Lesson 1 of 2 in this module

Lesson 5 of 120% of the course done

Lesson 5

Find your housing agency

⏱ 2 min

Key points

  • Use HUD's PHA directory to find housing agencies near you.
  • HUD itself doesn't take applications or keep waiting lists.
  • You can apply to more than one agency, and you don't have to live in an agency's area to apply.

Step 2: Find the housing agency where you want to live

Use HUD's Public Housing Agency directory to find PHAs in your area. HUD itself does not take applications or keep waiting lists.

You do not have to live in a PHA's area to apply there. But if you lived outside its area when you applied, the PHA can require you to rent within its area for your first 12 months on the program.

Because waiting lists are long, HUD suggests you may need to apply to more than one PHA. Check each agency's website or call to learn whether its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is open and how it takes applications. Some take them online, some by mail, and some in person. When a closed list reopens, the PHA must announce it to the public, usually on its website, so check back.

From our guide: The Steps to Section 8: How to Apply and Get a Voucher

Quick check

Can you apply to more than one housing agency?

Want more detail? Read our full guide: The Steps to Section 8: How to Apply and Get a Voucher