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Public Housing Online Application

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Public Housing will determine your eligibility based on the following criteria: 

  • Be below income limits equal to 80% of the Area Median Income for the appropriate geographic area (see income limits link).
  • At least one member of the household must be a citizen of the U.S. or have eligible immigration status.
  • Must not owe any housing authorities any debts from previous participation in assisted housing programs.  
  • Must not have been terminated from any assisted housing program in the last year.
  • May not be convicted of any violent or drug related criminal activity in the past 3 years. (Every criminal history is taken on a case by case basis, even if a drug or violent crime is discovers it does not automatically disqualify you from participation on the Public Housing Program and should not deter you from applying for the program.)
  • Not been convicted of manufacture or distribution of methamphetamines on any federally funded housing property/program, and
  • Not subject to a lifetime registration as a sex offender
  • Prior rental history (Negative rental history does not automatically disqualify you from participation on the Public Housing program and should not deter you from applying for the program.)

Eligibility for Admission

Please read the information below before submitting your online application.

Eligibility Factors

To be eligible for participation, an applicant must meet Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) criteria, as well as any permissible additional criteria established by the Housing Authority (HA).

HUD eligibility criteria are as follows:

  • An applicant must be considered a "family."
  • An applicant total family income must be within the appropriate income limits.
  • An applicant must be either a very low to low-income family.
  • An applicant must furnish Social Security cards and birth certificates for everyone in the Household, as well as picture identification for anyone over 18 years of age (Driver License or State identification card.)
  • An applicant must have at least one (1) adult member who is a U.S. citizen or eligible immigrant.

Other Criteria for Admission:

  1. The family must not have violated any Family Obligations during any previous participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8) for twelve (12) months prior to application.
  2. No family member may have committed fraud, bribery, or any other corrupt or criminal act in connection with any Federal Housing Program for twelve (12) month prior to application.
  3. The family must not have violated any requirements contained in the family's Contract of Participation in the Family Self Sufficiency Program (unless the family can show good cause).
  4. The family must have paid any outstanding debt owed the HA or any other HA as a result of prior participation in any Federal Housing Program prior to application. A family who owes the HA money may place their name on the waiting list by paying one half of the balance owed. The family will be required to pay the balance in full prior to final eligibility determination. No payment agreement will be made. The HA reserves the right, in the case of extreme hardship, to negotiate payment in accordance with its procedures. Full documentation of the hardship will be required. Under no circumstances will the debt be forgiven.
  5. If the family or any family member has engaged in or threatened violent or abusive behavior toward HA personnel, the HA may deny admission at that time.
  6. Prohibited Admission:
    1. No member of a family is eligible if he/she is subject to lifetime registration requirements under a State sex offender registration program.
    2. No member of a family is eligible if he/she has ever been convicted of drug-related criminal activity for manufacture or production of methamphetamine on the premises of federally assisted housing.
  7. Permissive Prohibition: The HA prohibits admission of a family to the program if the HA determines that any family member is currently engaged in, or has engaged in the following during the three (3) years prior to admission:
    1. Drug-related criminal activity;
    2. Violent criminal activity;
    3. Other criminal activity which may threaten the health, safety or right to a peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents or persons residing in their immediate vicinity; or
    4. Other criminal activity, which may threaten the health, or safety of the owner, property management staff, or persons performing a contract administration function or responsibility on behalf of the HA (including a HA employee or a HA contractor, subcontractor or agent).
    5. Abuse of Alcohol: Reasonable cause of alcohol abuse may be grounds for denial of assistance.
  8. Any changes in address, family composition or income MUST be reported in writing to the HA immediately.

The HA does not accept phone calls in place of written notices; if no contact is made in writing, the applicant will have to reapply.

Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) of 2005 Notification:

VAWA prohibits public housing agencies (PHAs) from denying public housing or a housing choice voucher assistance because an applicant has been a victim of domestic violence or stalking, provided that such person is otherwise qualified for admission/participation. VAWA also prohibits private landlords accepting housing vouchers from refusing to rent to an individual because the person is a victim.

VAWA ensures that victims of abuse in public housing or subsidized housing will not risk homelessness when they seek assistance to end a violent relationship.

The PHA or subsidized landlords can request proof that the applicant/tenant is a victim. The victim has 14 business days to provide documentation of proof.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking and are seeking assistance, contact Noah Project at 800.444.3551, 325.672.6626 or visit their website at NoahProject.org. You may also contact the Regional Crime Victim Crisis Center through the 24/7 Victim Assistance Hotline at 325.677.7895 or visit their website at RegionalCrime.org. In addition, the Texas Crime Victim Clearinghouse can be reached at 1.800.848.4284 or TDCJ.Texas.gov.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities, and you require a specific accommodation in order to fully utilize our programs and services, please contact the housing authority by phone at 325.676.6385 or by mail to Abilene Housing Authority, 1149 ES 11th Street, Abilene, TX 79602.

Click here for the online application.