Find out about public housing, including what it is, whether you're eligible, how to apply, and whom to contact if you have a complaint. Learn About Public Housing Public housing is state-owned, affordable rental houses or apartments. It's intended for families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. Found nationwide, public housing comes in all sizes and types, from single-family houses to high-rise apartments. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the program. Since the demand for public housing is often larger than the amount of housing available to HUD and the local PHA, long waiting periods are common. A PHA may close its waiting list when there are more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future. Public Housing Eligibility Your local public housing agency (PHA) will determine your eligibility for public housing based on: Your annual gross income Whether you qualify as a senior, a person with a disability, or a family U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status Other local factors PHAs use income limits developed by HUD. The lower income limit is 80% and the very low income limit is 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area where you want to live. Because income limits and eligibility requirements vary from area to area, you may be eligible in one state, city, or county but not in another. Contact your local PHA to learn about your eligibility for: Federal and local public housing programs Housing Choice vouchers Rental assistance Subsidized housing    Apply for Public Housing To apply, contact your local PHA. Here’s what you can expect during the application process. Either you or a PHA representative will fill out your written application. Your PHA usually needs to collect the following information to determine eligibility: Names of all people who would be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head Your present address and telephone number Conditions that might help your family's reception into the program more quickly, including: Veteran status Current residency in substandard housing Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords to verify your family's suitability as a tenant An estimate of your family's income for the next 12 months and the sources of that income The names and addresses of employers, banks, and others to verify your income, deductions, and family composition Someone from your PHA may visit you in your home to interview you and your family members to see how you manage the upkeep of your current home. After collecting this information, the PHA representative should describe the public housing program. They'll go over its requirements and answer any questions you may have. A PHA representative will ask for documents including birth certificates and tax returns. The PHA uses these documents to verify the information on your application. The PHA may also talk to your employer and your other references. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize the release of information to the PHA. Check the Status of Your Public Housing Application Your PHA has to provide written notification of your application's status. If the PHA determines you're eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list. Once it's your turn, the PHA will contact you. Get Help With Your Public Housing Application Contact your local PHA for help with a public housing application or more information about housing programs. If you need further assistance, contact your local HUD branch office.   For information about any housing question, contact the PIH Customer Service Center. File a Public Housing Complaint If you need to file a complaint about your local PHA, contact the PIH Customer Service Center. If you feel that you have been a victim of housing discrimination, file a housing discrimination complaint.