Open — taking applications
Public housing
Open since March 1, 2025
Ordered by preference points, then date and time applied
Northgate Housing Authority · Housing applications
A safe, affordable home starts here.
Apply for public housing and rental assistance online, in English or Spanish. It is free, it takes about 20 minutes, and you can save your progress and come back.
- Free to apply
- About 20 minutes
- English · Español
- Save and come back
Which waiting lists are open
- Public housingOpen since Mar 1, 2025
- Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)Closed since Aug 29, 2026
- Project-based voucherOpen since Jan 15, 2026
Applying is always free. Nobody can charge you to apply, and nobody can sell you a better place on the list.
Which waiting lists are open
You can apply to any list that is open — and to more than one. When a list closes, applications already received stay on it.
Closed
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
Closed since August 29, 2026
Closed — about a 30-month wait. Watch the newspaper and our website for the reopening notice.
This list is not taking applications right now. Families already on it keep their place. Check back, or call the office to ask when it will reopen.
Ordered by preference points, then date and time applied
Open — taking applications
Project-based voucher
Open since January 15, 2026
Ordered by date and time applied
The programs, in plain words
Public housing
Apartments and homes the housing authority owns and manages. Rent is usually about 30% of your household’s adjusted monthly income.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8)
A voucher that helps pay rent to a private landlord you choose. You usually pay about 30% of adjusted income; the voucher pays the rest, up to a limit. You can move and keep the voucher.
Project-based voucher
Rental help tied to specific buildings. The help stays with the apartment — if you move out, you may be able to get a regular voucher after a year.
Who can apply
Anyone may apply. Whether you qualify is decided when your name comes up, using the rules below. If you are not sure, apply — it costs nothing.
Income limits (FY2026)
Your household’s total yearly income before taxes must be at or below the Low income limit for its size. By law most new admissions go to families in the Extremely low band.
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $26,400.00 | $44,009.00 | $70,409.00 |
| 2 | $30,150.00 | $50,260.00 | $80,410.00 |
| 3 | $33,900.00 | $56,511.00 | $90,411.00 |
| 4 | $37,650.00 | $62,763.00 | $100,413.00 |
| 5 | $40,700.00 | $67,847.00 | $108,547.00 |
| 6 | $43,700.00 | $72,848.00 | $116,548.00 |
| 7 | $46,700.00 | $77,849.00 | $124,549.00 |
| 8 | $49,700.00 | $82,850.00 | $132,550.00 |
People: 1
- Extremely low (30%)
- $26,400.00
- Very low (50%)
- $44,009.00
- Low (80%)
- $70,409.00
People: 2
- Extremely low (30%)
- $30,150.00
- Very low (50%)
- $50,260.00
- Low (80%)
- $80,410.00
People: 3
- Extremely low (30%)
- $33,900.00
- Very low (50%)
- $56,511.00
- Low (80%)
- $90,411.00
People: 4
- Extremely low (30%)
- $37,650.00
- Very low (50%)
- $62,763.00
- Low (80%)
- $100,413.00
People: 5
- Extremely low (30%)
- $40,700.00
- Very low (50%)
- $67,847.00
- Low (80%)
- $108,547.00
People: 6
- Extremely low (30%)
- $43,700.00
- Very low (50%)
- $72,848.00
- Low (80%)
- $116,548.00
People: 7
- Extremely low (30%)
- $46,700.00
- Very low (50%)
- $77,849.00
- Low (80%)
- $124,549.00
People: 8
- Extremely low (30%)
- $49,700.00
- Very low (50%)
- $82,850.00
- Low (80%)
- $132,550.00
Percentages are of the area median income (AMI), which HUD publishes every spring. Households larger than eight: call the office.
Citizenship or eligible immigration status
At least one person in the household must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status. Mixed-status families can still get help — the assistance is prorated. Nobody has to declare a status they do not have.
Screening
Before anyone is housed we check every adult for lifetime sex-offender registration, certain drug-related or violent criminal activity, money owed to a housing authority, and rental history. A record does not automatically mean a denial: you can explain your circumstances and ask for an informal review.
Identity and Social Security numbers
This pre-application does not ask for Social Security numbers. We ask for them, with proof of identity for everyone, when your name comes near the top of the list.
Who counts as your household
Everyone who will live with you: a spouse or partner, children (including those you are expecting or adopting), other relatives or adults, and a live-in aide if you need one.
Preferences: how the list is ordered
Preferences are the authority’s local priorities. You claim them on the application; we verify them when your name comes up. One that cannot be verified is removed and your place is recalculated.
Homeless or at risk of homelessness
You are living in a shelter, a car, outdoors or somewhere not meant for housing, or you are about to lose your home (an eviction judgment, a condemned unit, or fleeing domestic violence).
Public housing: 40 pointsHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 40 points
Veteran
The head of household or spouse served in the U.S. armed forces and was not dishonorably discharged, or is the surviving spouse of someone who did.
Public housing: 20 pointsHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 20 points
Lives or works here
Someone in your household lives, works, or has been hired to work in the housing authority’s area.
Public housing: 10 pointsHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 10 points
Elderly (62 or older)
The head of household, spouse or co-head is 62 or older. We work this out from the dates of birth you enter.
Public housing: 15 pointsHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 15 points
Person with a disability
The head of household, spouse, co-head or only member has a disability. We work this out from the household you enter.
Public housing: 15 pointsHousing Choice Voucher (Section 8): 15 points
Public housing: families with more points come first; among families with the same points, whoever applied earlier comes first.
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8): families with more points come first; among families with the same points, whoever applied earlier comes first.
Project-based voucher: ordered only by the date and time you applied. Preferences are recorded but do not change your place.
Documents you will need
You do not need these to apply. Start gathering them now — we ask for them when your name comes near the top, and having them ready speeds things up.
- Photo ID for every adult (driver’s license, state ID or passport)
- Social Security cards for everyone who has a number
- Birth certificates for everyone in the household
- Your last six pay stubs, or a letter from your employer
- Benefit letters: Social Security, SSI, TANF, unemployment, child support, pensions
- Recent statements for bank and retirement accounts
- Immigration documents, for anyone declaring eligible status
- Names and addresses of your landlords for the last three years
- Proof of any preference you claim (DD-214, shelter letter, eviction papers, proof of address or job)
What happens after you apply
- 1
You get a reference number right away
Keep it. With your account, or the number and a PIN, you can check your status any time.
- 2
You wait on the list
Waits can be long — months or years. Your place can move as other families apply with preferences.
- 3
Your name comes up
We write and call you. Answer by the date in the letter — after three tries with no answer, an application can be removed.
- 4
Interview, documents and screening
We confirm your household, income and preferences, and complete screening.
- 5
An offer or a voucher
Public housing: we offer a unit the right size. Vouchers: you get a voucher and search for a home.
Moved or changed your phone number? Update it right away so our letters reach you.
Reasonable accommodation and language help
If you or anyone in your household has a disability, you can ask us to change how we do things: help filling out this form, more time, letters in large print, a meeting at your home, or an accessible unit. You can ask at any time, and it is free.
Free interpreters in any language, by phone or in person. Este sitio también está en español — use el botón de idioma arriba.
Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault or stalking have protections under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Tell us if you need them.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), national origin, familial status, disability or age.
Ready when you are
With an account you can save and come back. Without one, you get a reference number and PIN at the end.
Already applied?
See your place on the list, letters and offers, send documents, or update your phone and address.