We have many applicants waiting for units to become available. There are also applications on the list that are inactive for a number of reasons, so the list may appear longer than it actually is in reality because of inactive applicants.

There is a Public Housing Family Wait List an a Public Housing Elderly Wait List. Then those two lists are divided into smaller wait lists based on family size, and how many bedrooms are needed:

The Family Wait List is divided by the following bedroom number units:

• 1 Bedroom Units
• 2 Bedroom Units
• 3 Bedroom Units
• 4 Bedroom Units
• 5 Bedroom Units

The Elderly Wait List is divided by the following bedroom number units:

• Studio Units
• 1 Bedroom Units
• 2 Bedroom Units

The longest waiting list is for the 2 bedroom family units, because those are the units needed by the most families, and currently we do not have enough available 2 bedroom units for the need right now.

When you apply for housing, you will be quoted the main wait list, not necessarily the individual wait list for the specific bedroom number unit that you need.

Our Waitlist is based on application date and preference points. Someone may have applied that has more points than you, and they’re going to go ahead of you.

Points are based on the following criteria:

• Resident of Washington County = 20 points
• Working in Washington County = 20 points
• Elderly or disabled = 5 points
• Currently Employed* = 5 points

*(only applies to the Public Housing Wait List)

HHA needs to process your application, check all required documentation, enter information into our system, and apply any possible preference points. It may take 2 to 3 weeks to get all the information processed.

No matter how long it takes for HHA to process your application, don’t worry, you still have the same application date.

Every wait time we give to applicants is approximate. We cannot predict when you will come to the top of the wait list, or when a unit your size will become available. There are many factors that go into the availability of a unit and how long it may take for the unit to be ready for you to move in. Please be patient.

If you have a change in your information while you are an applicant on the waiting list, you must report the change to HHA.

Changes can be made using our online portal, which you can access through the button at the top of this page, or by clicking “Applicant Portal” on the home page.

Possible changes you need to report are things like new phone number, new address, adding a family member, removing a family member, becoming qualified for disability, etc.

One of the most important changes that MUST be reported is a change of address. If you move, please let us know your new address via the portal. Every time we need to contact you, we do it through the mail. You do not want to miss a notification letter telling you you’re at the top of the wait list! If you move and do not notify us, we will mail to the last address we have on file, and you may be removed from the housing wait list because you didn’t let us know you moved and never responded. This happens quite a lot, so make sure to keep your address current on the portal.

During the waiting process, if you have a change in household size, you must report this change to us. Once you have reported your household size change, you will be moved to a different wait list for an eligible unit size.

Guidelines for bedroom number qualifications are as follows:

For Public Housing:

2 children are allowed per bedroom provided that they are the same gender, and are within 5 years of age to one another.

For Housing Choice Voucher (HCV):

     2 children are allowed per bedroom provided that they are the same gender.

Applicants who receive an application denial are only entitled to an informal conference with HHA. You must request this informal conference within 10 days of the date of the notice. To request a hearing, you can send a letter, call, come into HHA’s office, or fill out a form by clicking here. 

At the informal hearing, you can give all of your information to the hearing officer and explain your situation and argue as to why you should still be considered eligible for housing. The hearing officer will take your appeal to an Application Review Committee. The committee consists of 3 or 4 people from various departments within HHA who will get together to discuss your case and make a decision about whether or not you should be considered eligible. The decision will be mailed to you, in writing, within 10 days of the informal conference.