Public housing authorities have homes for many groups of low-income people. Not every community has a housing authority. However, larger cities do have housing authorities. Housing authorities provide several different housing assistance programs for families, the elderly, and persons living with disabilities (including HIV).

Housing authorities provide two types of housing assistance:

1. They provide housing in buildings they own. They call these housing developments.
2. They provide rental assistance subsidies. These subsidies are not attached to a particular apartment or building. The way it works is you find an apartment in the community and the subsidy helps to pay the rent and utilities. A lot of people call this kind of assistance Section 8, but not all rental assistance subsidies are Section 8.

Eligibility for these programs is based on your family’s household size and your family’s income. These limits change every year. But if social security is your only source of income, then you are probably eligible for these programs.

Some housing agencies have special housing available for the elderly and disabled. So if you are disabled due to HIV or something else, let the housing authority know when you apply.

Each community has their own housing authority. You need to call each authority in the community that you want to live in to find out when and where they take applications. You should call several to find out what is available and how long you would be on the waiting list. Fill out applications at as many authorities as you can, even places that might not be your first choice. Sometimes applications are available by mail. Keep a list of where you have filled out an application.

Each housing authority has a waiting list. Some waiting lists are ordered by the date they receive your application. Some authorities will serve families before single persons. Sometimes they will hold a lottery and pick names from the list.