The HUD Public Housing Assistance Program

Program Description
The HUD Public Housing assistance program was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to highrise apartments for elderly families. As of 2009, there were approximately 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 local public housing agencies (HAs).

General Eligibility Requirements
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is determined by the local housing agency (HA). Eligibility is based on:

• Annual gross income (income limits);
• Whether the applicant qualifies as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and
• U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.

If the applicant is found to be eligible for public housing, the housing agency (HA) will check the applicants' references to make sure they will be good tenants. Housing agencies will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment.

How to Apply
To apply for HUD Public Housing assistance, contact your local public housing agency. (Housing Agency Locator)

For More Information
To learn more about the HUD Public Housing assistance program, contact your local public housing agency, or the Public and Indian Housing Customer Service Center at toll-free 1-800-955-2232 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST) daily Monday through Friday, except for Federal holidays.