Waythrough is an independent resource, not HHA. We summarize public information to help you get oriented. For applications and the most current waiting-list status, always use the official links below.

The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) — which began operating under the name Housing Alliance HTX in 2025 — is the public housing authority (PHA) that administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and project-based vouchers for the City of Houston. This page summarizes HHA's current waiting-list status, contact information, and how to apply, and links to the official HHA site for anything time-sensitive.

Quick Facts

Serves: the City of Houston, Texas
Phone: (713) 260-0500
Official site: housingforhouston.com/
Apply: HHA application page
Status last checked: July 2026

Waiting-List Status

Waiting lists open and close frequently, so treat the status below as a starting point and confirm on the official site before you rely on it.

  • Housing Choice Voucher (tenant-based Section 8): Closed — HHA's official site states the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is currently closed. If you are already on it, make sure you completed the required re-registration — people who did not re-register can lose their place.
  • Public Housing: Closed — A site-based public-housing lottery for eight named properties accepted applications in late June and early July 2026 and has closed; applicants are notified by email through the RentCafe portal.
  • Project-Based Vouchers (PBV): Varies by property — PBV lists are tied to specific developments; check the official site for current openings.

Programs HHA Runs

  • Housing Choice Voucher (tenant-based Section 8)
  • Public Housing
  • Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)
  • HUD-VASH (for veterans)
  • Mainstream vouchers (non-elderly people with disabilities)
  • Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) and homeownership programs

How to Apply

Apply directly through the authority's official application page: housingforhouston.com/residents/housing-choice-voucher/. If you have already applied, call (713) 260-0500 to verify your position and keep your contact information current — if the authority cannot reach you when your name comes up, you can be dropped from the list.

New to the process? Our step-by-step guide to applying for Section 8 walks through the whole thing, and how to find your PHA helps you locate the right authority.

Other Authorities Serving This Area

  • Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) is a separate authority serving unincorporated Harris County outside the Houston city limits, with its own waiting lists (hchatexas.org).
  • The Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) administers Section 8 in parts of Texas that do not have a local PHA.

More Local Resources

For the full picture of affordable housing in this area — emergency shelter, rental assistance, tenant rights, and legal aid — see our Houston housing resources page and our TX state resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Houston (HHA) Section 8 waiting list open?

As of July 2026, the Houston Housing Authority's tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list is closed, according to HHA's official site, and its site-based public-housing lottery for eight properties has also closed. Always confirm the current status on the official HHA site before relying on it.

Is the Houston Housing Authority the same as Housing Alliance HTX?

Yes. In 2025 the Houston Housing Authority began operating under the name Housing Alliance HTX. It is the same public housing authority; both housingforhouston.com and alliancehtx.org are official.

Who do I contact if I live outside the Houston city limits?

The Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) serves unincorporated Harris County outside the city and runs its own separate waiting lists at hchatexas.org. It is a different agency from the Houston Housing Authority.

How do I check my HHA waiting-list status?

Use HHA's applicant portal (hha.myhousing.com) or the RentCafe portal rather than calling the office. Keep your contact information current so HHA can reach you when your name comes up.

Sources