Applying for Public Housing- The Process

Submitting the Low Income Housing Application

To apply for low income housing, you must fill out an application. You can obtain one from the housing agency who oversees the public housing project you’re interested in. Some offer online applications, applying over the phone or applying in person. Some require that you visit their offices to pick up an application.

The application will contain instructions on how to fill it out and how to submit it. Typically, they want to know:

1. How many people are in your family, their age, sex and relation to the head of the house
2. An estimate of your income for the next 12 months, including all wages or salary, Social Security, disability income, pension or any other source
3. Your present address
4. Information on your rental history, including names and addresses of previous landlords
5. Any special information that may make you eligible for “tenant selection preferences,” such as veteran status or living in substandard housing. Your local housing agency can also tell you if any preference is given to specific applicants.
6. Names and addresses of employers and banks

After you submit your application, an agent may interview you and your family.

Based on information provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development