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Section 8 Waiting Lists Open July 2026

Brittney Richey
Published June 30, 2026 12:19:pm EST

Section 8 Waiting Lists Opening Late June/Early July 2026: Multi-State Mid-Week Opportunities

Introduction

The last week of June and first week of July 2026 bring significant Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher opportunities across the United States. This update highlights 9 housing authority openings from June 30 through July 1, with a major coordinated opening on Wednesday, July 1 featuring 7 housing authorities across 6 states. The week includes opportunities in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West Coast, with several repeat openings and dual program opportunities.

Opening Tuesday, June 30 (2 Housing Authorities)

New Jersey

Elizabeth Housing Authority

Northern New Jersey opportunity (Union County, near Newark).

Alabama

Housing Authority of the Town of Berry

  • Program: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
  • Opening Date: Tuesday, June 30, 2026
  • Application Method: Contact housing authority (no website on file)
  • More Information: Contact Berry Housing Authority for application details

Note: Berry, AL - small town in northwest Alabama (no website available).

Major Wednesday Opening - July 1 (7 Housing Authorities - 6 States)

Ohio (2 Authorities - Coordinated Opening)

Fayette Metropolitan Housing Authority

Southern Ohio opportunity (Fayette County, between Columbus and Cincinnati).

Highland Metropolitan Housing Authority

Southern Ohio opportunity (Highland County, southeastern Ohio) with dual program opening.

Minnesota

Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Barnesville

  • Program: Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
  • Opening Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
  • Application Method: Contact housing authority (no website on file)
  • More Information: Contact Barnesville Housing Authority for application details

Note: Barnesville, MN - small town in west-central Minnesota (no website available).

California (2 Authorities)

Housing Authority of the County of San Diego

Southern California opportunity (San Diego County) (note: this authority has opened multiple times in 2026).

Housing Authority of the City of Madera

Central California opportunity (between Fresno and Yosemite).

Kansas

Wichita Housing Authority

Central Kansas major city opportunity (Kansas's largest city).

Critical Application Timeline

Tuesday, June 30 (2 Housing Authorities):

  1. Elizabeth, NJ - HCV (northern NJ, near Newark)
  2. Berry, AL - HCV (no website - contact directly)

Wednesday, July 1 (7 Housing Authorities - Major Opening):

Ohio (2 authorities):

  1. Fayette County - HCV
  2. Highland County - HCV + PBV (dual opening)

Other States: 3. Barnesville, MN - HCV (no website - contact directly) 4. San Diego County, CA - PBV (repeat opening) 5. Madera, CA - HCV 6. Wichita, KS - HCV (major Kansas city)

Understanding the Different Programs

Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)

Elizabeth NJ, Berry AL, Fayette OH, Highland OH (dual), Barnesville MN, Madera CA, and Wichita KS offer portable vouchers:

  1. Maximum Flexibility:

    • Choose housing in participating areas
    • Portable between jurisdictions
    • Pay ~30% of income toward rent

  2. Geographic Coverage:

    • Major metro: Elizabeth NJ (near Newark), Wichita KS
    • Mid-size cities: Madera CA, Fayette OH, Highland OH
    • Small towns: Berry AL, Barnesville MN

Project-Based Vouchers (PBV)

Highland OH (dual) and San Diego County CA offer property-specific vouchers:

  1. Property-Specific Assistance:

    • Tied to designated developments
    • No housing search required
    • Known locations and amenities

  2. Geographic Range:

    • Large county: San Diego County CA
    • Regional: Highland County OH

  3. Advantages:

    • Often shorter waiting times
    • Immediate housing options
    • Community features included

Application Strategies

For Tuesday Opening (June 30):

Elizabeth, NJ (HCV):

  1. Northern New Jersey:

    • Union County, near Newark
    • Major metro area
    • High demand expected
    • Apply early Tuesday

  2. HCV Flexibility:

    • Choose housing throughout area
    • Portable assistance
    • Various neighborhoods

Berry, AL (HCV):

  1. Small Alabama Town:
    • Northwest Alabama
    • Small city/town opportunity
    • No website available
    • Required Action: Contact housing authority this week

For Wednesday's Major Opening (July 1):

Ohio's Two-Authority Coordinated Opening:

  1. Fayette County (HCV):

    • Southern Ohio
    • Between Columbus and Cincinnati
    • Smaller market
    • HCV flexibility

  2. Highland County (HCV + PBV - Dual Opening):

    • Southeastern Ohio
    • Appalachian region
    • Dual program opportunity
    • Apply to both HCV and PBV if eligible

  3. Ohio Strategy:

    • Apply to both counties
    • Separate service areas
    • Different waiting lists
    • Increases placement opportunities

Barnesville, MN (HCV):

  1. Small Minnesota Town:

    • West-central Minnesota
    • Small community
    • No website available
    • Required Action: Contact housing authority this week

  2. Rural Opportunity:

    • Smaller market
    • Potentially less competitive
    • Agricultural region

San Diego County, CA (PBV - Repeat Opening):

  1. Repeat Opportunity:

    • Multiple openings throughout 2026
    • Major Southern California county
    • High demand market
    • Apply early Wednesday

  2. PBV Strategy:

    • Property-specific housing
    • Various locations throughout county
    • Contact for specific properties

Madera, CA (HCV):

  1. Central California:

    • Between Fresno and Yosemite
    • Sierra Nevada foothills
    • HCV flexibility

  2. Regional Opportunities:

    • Access to multiple communities
    • Fresno metro nearby
    • Mountain communities

Wichita, KS (HCV - Major Metro):

  1. Kansas's Largest City:

    • Central Kansas
    • Major employment center
    • Growing metro area
    • High demand expected
    • Apply early Wednesday

  2. Regional Hub:

    • Aviation industry presence
    • Various employment sectors
    • Multiple neighborhoods

Required Documentation

All Programs:

  1. Identity Verification:

    • Photo ID for all household members 18+
    • Social Security cards
    • Birth certificates

  2. Income Documentation:

    • Recent pay stubs (4-6 weeks)
    • Employment verification letters
    • Benefits statements (SSI, SSDI, TANF, unemployment, etc.)
    • Bank statements (2-3 months)
    • Tax returns if self-employed

  3. Household Composition:

    • All household member information
    • Proof of relationships
    • Custody documents if applicable
    • School enrollment for children

  4. Contact Information:

    • Current mailing address
    • Phone number(s)
    • Email address
    • Emergency contact

Additional for HCV Programs:

  1. Housing History:
    • Current landlord contact information
    • Previous addresses (2-3 years)
    • Rental payment history if available

Additional for PBV Programs:

  1. Property Preferences:
    • May need to indicate property choices
    • Bedroom size requirements
    • Accessibility needs if applicable

Special Focus: Wednesday's Seven-Authority Mega-Opening

Unprecedented Mid-Week Coordinated Opening:

July 1, 2026 features 7 housing authorities across 6 states:

  1. Geographic Diversity:

    • Ohio: 2 authorities (coordinated)
    • California: 2 authorities (separate markets)
    • Plus: Minnesota, Kansas, New Jersey suburbs represented
    • Spans from Atlantic to Pacific

  2. Market Diversity:

    • Major metros: Wichita KS, San Diego County CA
    • Mid-size: Madera CA, Fayette/Highland OH
    • Small towns: Barnesville MN, Berry AL, Elizabeth NJ area

  3. Program Diversity:

    • Mostly HCV (portable)
    • Some PBV (property-specific)
    • One dual opening (Highland OH)

  4. Application Strategy:

    • Stagger applications by demand
    • High demand first (Wichita, San Diego, Elizabeth area)
    • Mid-demand second (Ohio, Madera)
    • Lower demand later (small towns)

Special Focus: Dual Opening in Highland County, OH

Highland Metropolitan Housing Authority:

One of the week's unique opportunities:

  1. Dual Program:

    • HCV (portable) and PBV (property-specific)
    • Both opening same day
    • Apply to both if eligible
    • Increases placement chances

  2. Southeastern Ohio:

    • Appalachian region
    • Smaller market
    • Growing opportunity
    • Different from other Ohio counties

  3. Strategy:

    • Apply to both HCV and PBV
    • Different benefits for each
    • Maximize placement probability

Special Considerations

Three Authorities Without Websites:

Action needed this week:

  1. Berry, AL (June 30):

    • Opens Tuesday
    • No website available
    • Find phone number immediately
    • Contact this week
    • Get application details

  2. Barnesville, MN (July 1):

    • Opens Wednesday
    • No website available
    • Find phone number immediately
    • Contact this week
    • Get application details

Required Actions by Friday, June 28:

  • Find phone numbers for Berry AL and Barnesville MN
  • Call to get application procedures
  • Ask about application methods (phone, mail, in-person)
  • Verify opening dates/times
  • Get any special requirements

Ohio's Two-County Opportunity:

Unique in-state coordinated opening:

  1. Fayette County (Southern Ohio):

    • Between Columbus and Cincinnati
    • Smaller market
    • HCV program

  2. Highland County (Southeastern Ohio):

    • Appalachian region
    • Dual HCV + PBV
    • Different from Fayette
    • Apply to both if eligible

  3. Strategic Advantage:

    • Two separate applications
    • Different waiting lists
    • Different service areas
    • Dramatically increases opportunities

San Diego County Repeat Opening:

San Diego has opened multiple times in 2026:

  1. Repeat Opportunity:

    • PBV program
    • Multiple openings throughout year
    • May indicate rolling intake
    • High-demand Southern California market

  2. Strategy:

    • Apply early Wednesday
    • Competitive market
    • Contact for property details

Preparation Timeline

This Week (Before June 30):

  1. Contact Housing Authorities Without Websites:

    • Find phone numbers for Berry AL and Barnesville MN
    • Call this week (by Friday at latest)
    • Get application procedures
    • Confirm opening details

  2. Prepare for Tuesday Opening:

    • Gather all documents
    • Test Elizabeth NJ website
    • Set reminder for Tuesday morning

Friday, June 28:

  1. Final Preparations:
    • Confirm Berry AL and Barnesville MN application methods
    • Prepare all documents
    • Test all Wednesday websites
    • Set multiple reminders

Tuesday, June 30:

  1. Elizabeth, NJ (HCV):

    • Apply early Tuesday morning
    • High demand expected
    • Check for closing date

  2. Berry, AL (HCV):

    • Apply per housing authority instructions
    • May be phone, mail, or in-person
    • Have documents ready

Wednesday, July 1 - Major Application Day:

  1. Priority Application Order:

    • Wichita, KS first (major metro, high demand)
    • San Diego County, CA second (major metro, repeat opening)
    • Elizabeth area (NJ/NY metro)
    • Madera, CA (mid-market)
    • Ohio counties (Fayette, then Highland for dual)
    • Small towns later (Barnesville)

  2. Dual Program Strategy:

    • Highland OH: Apply to both HCV and PBV
    • Complete full applications for each

  3. Start Very Early:

    • 7 authorities opening same day
    • High traffic expected on websites
    • Apply as soon as portals open

Conclusion

The last week of June and first week of July 2026 bring 9 Section 8 opportunities with a focus on Wednesday, July 1's unprecedented seven-authority coordinated opening across 6 states.

Opening timeline:

  • Tuesday, June 30: Elizabeth NJ, Berry AL
  • Wednesday, July 1: 7 authorities (Fayette OH, Highland OH dual, Barnesville MN, San Diego County CA, Madera CA, Wichita KS)

Geographic highlights:

  • Major metros: Wichita KS, San Diego County CA, Elizabeth NJ area
  • Ohio coordinated 2-county opening
  • California dual market opening (San Diego and Madera)
  • Small towns: Berry AL, Barnesville MN

Key strategies:

  • Contact Berry AL and Barnesville MN this week (no websites)
  • Wednesday: 7 authorities = massive opportunity
  • Apply early to high-demand markets (Wichita, San Diego)
  • Ohio: Apply to both Fayette and Highland
  • Dual opening: Highland HCV + PBV

Critical action items:

  • Find phone numbers for Berry AL and Barnesville MN TODAY
  • Contact both by Friday June 28 for application details
  • Prepare for non-online application methods where needed
  • Test all websites before each opening day
  • Set reminders for early morning applications on both days
  • Plan staggered applications for 7 programs on Wednesday

This week transitions from June to July with exceptional opportunities, culminating in Wednesday's historic seven-authority opening - one of the largest coordinated openings of the year!

 

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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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Section 811 offers housing assistance and supportive services to people with disabilities. This guide helps unpack the details.

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