Columbus Housing Authority

Public Housing works from a first-come-first-served waiting list based on two preferences.  The Public Housing waiting list must be open in order to apply.  Waiting list openings and closings are advertised two weeks in advance of the date through local media. The approximate wait to be selected from the Public Housing waiting list is 12 – 18 months.  Applicants selected from the Public Housing waiting list that respond by the given deadline must go through an interview to determine program eligibility.

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) or Section 8 is a program that issues eligible families a housing choice voucher.  Families search for units and pay their portion of rent based on income to the private landlord, and Columbus Housing Authority pays our portion to the private landlord each month.    If your family is determined eligible, you will be issued a housing choice voucher to search for a suitable unit.  Once you have found a unit that is determined to be rent reasonable by Columbus Housing Authority, it must pass one of our Housing Quality Inspections.  Once it passes inspection, you will sign a lease with the landlord.  Your landlord will then sign a Housing Assistance Payment Contract with Columbus Housing Authority.