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Section 8 Waiting Lists Open April 2026

Brittney Richey
Published April 28, 2026 12:40:am EST

Late April and early May 2026 bring an unprecedented wave of affordable housing opportunities across the United States, with 21 waiting list openings in just one week. This comprehensive update highlights a coordinated opening event on Thursday, May 1 featuring 13 separate programs across 6 states and territories, plus additional openings throughout the week in Colorado, Texas, South Carolina, Connecticut, Arizona, Illinois, and Virginia. This represents one of the largest multi-state housing assistance opportunities of the spring.

Opening Sunday, April 27

Colorado

Sheridan Housing Authority

Denver metro area opportunity (south suburb).

Englewood Housing Authority

Denver metro area opportunity (south-central suburb).

Texas

Donna Housing Authority
  • Programs Opening:
    • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
    • Public Housing
  • Opening Date: Sunday, April 27, 2026
  • More Information: Contact housing authority for application details (no website on file)

South Texas Rio Grande Valley dual program opening.

Opening Monday, April 28

South Carolina

Housing Authority of Florence

Northeast South Carolina opportunity.

Opening Wednesday, April 30

Connecticut

Middletown Housing Authority

Central Connecticut opportunity on Connecticut River.

Arizona

Chandler Housing & Redevelopment Division

Phoenix metro area opportunity (southeast valley).

Major Thursday Opening - May 1 (13 Programs - 6 States/Territories)

Virgin Islands (5 Programs)

Virgin Islands Housing Authority (Territory-Wide)
  • Programs Opening:
    • Public Housing (2 separate lists)
    • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (2 separate lists)
    • Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (1 list)
  • Opening Date: Thursday, May 1, 2026
  • Coverage: Territory-wide (St. Thomas, St. Croix, St. John)
  • Application Method: Online
  • How to Apply: vihousing.org
  • More Information: Virgin Islands Housing Authority

MAJOR OPPORTUNITY: Five separate programs opening simultaneously across entire U.S. Virgin Islands!

Virginia (4 Programs)

Loudoun County Department of Housing & Community Development
  • Programs Opening:
    • Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rental Program
    • Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Purchase Program
  • Opening Date: Thursday, May 1, 2026
  • Application Method: Online
  • How to Apply: loudoun.gov/HCD
  • More Information: Loudoun County Housing

Note: These are specialized affordable housing programs, not traditional Section 8. Rental and Purchase are two distinct programs.

New Hampshire (2 Programs)

Portsmouth Housing Authority

Seacoast New Hampshire dual program opening.

Illinois

Housing Authority of the City of Rock Island

Quad Cities area opportunity.

Iowa

Low Rent Housing Agency of Sioux Center

Northwest Iowa opportunity.

Georgia

Northeast Georgia Housing Authority

Multi-county northeast Georgia opportunity.

Major Monday Opening - April 20 (11 Housing Authorities)

Hawaii

Hawaii Public Housing Authority - Honolulu (Multiple Programs)

  • Programs Opening:
    • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
    • Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (2 separate lists)
    • Public Housing (2 separate lists)
  • Opening Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
  • Coverage: Statewide (all Hawaiian islands)
  • Application Method: Online only
  • How to Apply: hpha.hawaii.gov
  • More Information: Hawaii Public Housing Authority

⚠️ MAJOR OPPORTUNITY: Five separate waiting lists opening simultaneously - apply to all eligible programs!

New York

City of Peekskill / Peekskill Housing Authority

  • Programs Opening:
    • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (administered by City)
    • Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (administered by PHA)
    • Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (administered by City)
  • Opening Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
  • Application Method: Online only
  • How to Apply: peekskillha.com
  • More Information: Peekskill Housing Authority

Multiple program opportunities in Westchester County, north of New York City.

Dunkirk Housing Authority

  • Program: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
  • Opening Date: Thursday, April 24, 2026
  • More Information: Contact housing authority for application details

Western New York opportunity on Lake Erie.

New Jersey

Perth Amboy Housing Authority

  • Programs Opening:
    • Section 8 Project-Based Voucher
    • RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration)
  • Opening Date: Monday, April 20, 2026
  • Application Method: Online only
  • How to Apply: perthamboyha.org
  • More Information: Perth Amboy Housing Authority

Central New Jersey opportunity with dual program opening.

Virginia

Lynchburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Central Virginia opportunity.

Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority

Hampton Roads region opportunity.

South Carolina

Housing Authority of Beaufort

South Carolina Lowcountry opportunity.

Colorado

Aurora Housing Authority

Denver metro area affordable housing opportunity. 

Opening Monday, April 13

Minnesota

Scott County Community Development Agency - Shakopee

  • Program: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
  • Opening Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
  • Application Method: Online only
  • How to Apply: scottcda.org
  • More Information: Scott County CDA

Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area opportunity serving Scott County communities.

Opening Tuesday, April 14

Texas

Round Rock Housing Authority

Austin metro area opportunity in one of Texas's fastest-growing cities.

Opening Wednesday, April 15

New Jersey

Beverly Housing Authority

Dual program opening in Burlington County, New Jersey.

Massachusetts

Beverly Housing Authority

Note: Different housing authority from Beverly, NJ - this is Beverly, Massachusetts on Boston's North Shore.

New York

Southern Tier Environments for Living - Johnson City

Southern New York opportunity serving the Binghamton area.

Opening Sunday, April 19

Texas

Housing Authority City of Odessa

  • Program: Section 8 Project-Based Voucher
  • Opening Date: Sunday, April 19, 2026
  • Application Method: Online only
  • How to Apply: odessaha.com
  • More Information: Odessa Housing Authority

West Texas opportunity with weekend opening.

Opening Monday, April 20

Hawaii

Hawaii Public Housing Authority - Honolulu

Statewide dual program opening serving all Hawaiian islands.

Colorado

Aurora Housing Authority

Denver metro area opportunity.

Opening Monday, April 6

California

Orange County Housing Authority - Santa Ana

Major Southern California opportunity serving Orange County communities.

Opening Tuesday, April 7

Massachusetts

American Training by Chelmsford Housing - Chelmsford

Contact housing authority for specific program details and closing date.

Illinois

Housing Authority of Cook County - Chicago

Major metropolitan Chicago area opportunity with property-specific vouchers.

Opening Wednesday, April 8

Iowa

City of Dubuque

Note: Dubuque opened HCV waiting list on April 1 - this is a separate PBV opening.

Eastern Iowa Regional Housing Authority - Davenport

Regional coverage serving multiple eastern Iowa communities.

Opening Thursday, April 9

Texas

Harlingen Housing Authority

Dual program opening in South Texas Rio Grande Valley.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Section 8 Waiting List?

Section 8 Waiting lists are lists that are maintained by local Housing Authorities to determine who receives a section 8 housing voucher. Each list is different in the way that it operates. Some housing authorities use a lottery system where recipients are chosen at random and others operate a list on a first-come, first-serve basis. Getting your name on your local housing authorities waiting list is typically the first step toward securing a housing voucher.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Voucher Once Im On the Waiting List?

The time it takes to get a voucher once on a section 8 waiting list depends on a number of factors. Some housing authority’s waitlist is very small and voucher assistance can be provided quickly. In larger communities with long waiting lists the times can take months or longer.

How Do I Check My Status on the Waiting List?

Contact the housing authority that maintains the waiting list you are currently on. This is a critical step as some housing authorities will remove names from their waiting list in an effort to keep their list up to date. Its recommended to continually check your status to ensure that your name remains on the waiting list and you continue to express your need for affordable housing.

What Happens Once My Name is Selected From The Waiting List?

Typically the housing authority will do final checks to ensure that you still meet the eligibility requirements such as income restrictions and also confirm your household size hasnt changed. This helps ensure your receiving the proper amount of assistance. Once final checks and approvals are complete you can begin yoru search for an affordable home that accepts your section 8 voucher.

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