Need Affordable Housing in Houston? Waiting Lists Are Open for a Limited Time
- Author: Bernard Reynolds
- Posted: 2025-09-05
The Houston Housing Authority (HHA) announced that it is extending the deadline for people on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list to save their spot. The new deadline is 5 p.m. on June 30, 2025. This extension gives those interested in rental assistance more time to register.
What Are the Waiting Lists?
The HHA offers two types of programs for affordable housing:
- Housing Choice Vouchers – These vouchers help families pay rent at any apartment that accepts them. The waiting list for this program currently has 18,300 names but needs updating because many applications are outdated. The list has been active for nearly a decade, and staff often struggle to contact eligible applicants due to old phone numbers, emails, or changes in life circumstances.
- Project-Based Vouchers – These vouchers are tied to specific apartment complexes with affordable units. Families can apply to live in those buildings at reduced rent. The deadline for this waiting list ended last May 16, 2025, at 5 p.m.
Why Update the Housing Choice Voucher List?
Kenny Coles, Senior Vice President of Voucher Operations, explained that many of the applications on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list are no longer valid. In some cases, staff have to contact dozens or even hundreds of people before finding someone eligible to move forward.
People may have moved, passed away, or no longer qualify. These delays slow down the process of helping families find housing.
To fix this, HHA is transitioning to a new online system called RentCafe. Applicants will need to create accounts on RentCafe to update their contact information and reserve their spot on the waiting list. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also requires HHA to regularly update waiting lists and remove outdated applications.
How to Save Your Spot
If you're already on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list, you’ll need to confirm your spot online. Follow these steps:
- Visit HousingforHouston.com.
- Create a RentCafe account.
- Log in and select “Save My Spot.”
- For those who don’t have access to a computer or the internet, you can visit the Houston Housing Authority office at 2640 Fountain View Dr., where staff can assist with the process.
Coles encourages people to reach out in any way they can if they need help—even jokingly mentioning “smoke signals” as a last resort. If you miss the deadline, you may be able to explain extenuating circumstances to staff, but contacting them sooner rather than later will improve your chances of staying on the waiting list.
Concerns From Advocates
Some housing advocates are worried that vulnerable families might lose their place on the list. They may not see the emails from HHA asking them to confirm their spot, or they may face barriers like poor internet access or limited computer skills.
To address this, HHA extended the deadline and is providing in-person support at their office. However, officials have not shared how many people have saved their spot so far.
The Freeze on Housing Choice Vouchers
Even if you save your spot on the Housing Choice Voucher list, it doesn’t mean you’ll get a voucher right away. The program has been frozen for more than a year due to budget shortfalls.
While HUD recently confirmed the freeze was lifted on January 1, 2025, the program is still limited. The housing authority is currently issuing vouchers only to a small group of people who had been approved before the freeze but hadn’t yet found a home.
Further progress depends on decisions made by lawmakers. HHA is waiting to see if funding for vouchers will be cut based on proposals by the federal government.
Check out: Everything You Need to Know Before Applying for a Property Through Section 8
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