HOUSTON – For the first time since 2023, thousands of Houstonians seeking affordable housing will have an opportunity to apply for public housing as Housing Alliance HTX prepares to reopen waitlists for eight public housing communities later this month.
The agency announced that its public housing waitlist lottery will open June 22 and remain available through July 6, giving eligible applicants a chance to be placed on waitlists for housing properties across the Houston area.
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Officials are encouraging anyone interested to prepare now by creating a RentCafe account before applications officially open.
“Early account setup in RentCafe is strongly recommended because it gives applicants time to resolve any access issues before the application window opens,” said Kelly Haines, senior vice president for asset management at Housing Alliance HTX.
Which housing communities are included?
The waitlist lottery includes the following eight public housing properties:
- Kelly Village
- Lincoln Park
- Long Drive
- Oxford Place
- Bellerive
- Lyerly
- Independence Heights
- Irvinton Village
Housing Alliance HTX says unit availability will vary by property, meaning some locations may have more one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom or four-bedroom units available than others.
Two of the communities, Bellerive and Lyerly, are reserved exclusively for seniors age 62 and older.
How the lottery works
Applicants may select up to three of the eight properties when submitting their application.
Once the application period closes on July 6, Housing Alliance HTX will conduct a random lottery to determine which applicants are placed on the public housing waitlists. Those selected will receive notifications and additional instructions later in July.
People who are already on a public housing waitlist do not need to take any action and will keep their current place in line.
What about Housing Choice Vouchers?
The agency emphasized that this reopening applies only to public housing waitlists.
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, commonly known as Section 8, remains closed and is not accepting new applications at this time.
However, approximately 2,500 individuals and families currently on the HCV waitlist will have the opportunity to be added to the public housing waitlists. Those applicants will receive an email with a consent form and must return it to Housing Alliance HTX.
Unlike new applicants, current HCV waitlist participants who submit the consent form will not enter the lottery. Instead, they will be placed on public housing waitlists based on the date and time their completed forms are received.
Additional preferences available
In addition to housing designated for seniors, some properties offer preferences for applicants experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities, in accordance with program requirements.
How to apply
Creating a RentCafe account now does not automatically enter someone into the lottery.
Applicants must return to the portal between June 22 and July 6 to officially submit their application.
Housing Alliance HTX says assistance will be available throughout the application period for those needing help with the process.
Applicants can call 713-260-0500 for assistance or visit the agency’s office at 2640 Fountain View if they do not have access to a computer.
With affordable housing demand remaining high across the Houston area, officials are urging prospective applicants not to wait until the last minute to create their accounts and prepare for the application window.