Houston renters shut out of subsidized housing for more than a year are finally getting another shot. The city’s public housing agency will open waitlists for eight properties from June 22 through July 6, the first such opening since 2023. Applicants can choose up to three locations, and once the window closes, new entries will be selected through a random lottery. Officials say anyone already on a public housing waitlist does not need to reapply to keep their place.
Which properties are included and how to apply
The eight properties taking new applications are Kelly Village, Lincoln Park, Long Drive, Oxford Place, Bellerive (for seniors 62+), Lyerly (for seniors 62+), Independence Heights and Irvinton Village. Applications will be accepted only through the agency’s RentCafe portal between June 22 and July 6, and applicants can submit for up to three locations. Phone and in-person help will be available during the application window, according to Housing Alliance HTX.
Lottery rules and voucher crosslisting
New applicants who file during the open period will be entered into a random lottery that determines who is added to the site-based public housing waitlists, with notifications and next steps to follow after the drawing. Households already on the Housing Choice Voucher waitlist, about 2,500 people, will be offered a chance to join a public housing waitlist without going through the lottery, as reported by the Houston Chronicle. Current voucher-holders who want to crosslist must complete and return an emailed consent form, and they will be added based on when the agency receives that form.
Who does not need to reapply and where to get help
People who are already on a public housing waitlist do not need to do anything to keep their spot. “Early account setup in RentCafe is strongly recommended,” Housing Alliance HTX senior vice president Kelly Haines said. The alliance will provide assistance by phone at 713-260-0500 or in person at its office during the application period, according to Housing Alliance HTX.
Why this matters for Houston renters
The opening comes as Housing Alliance HTX, the agency formerly known as the Houston Housing Authority, continues to retool how it manages public housing, including redevelopment and repositioning plans for older sites. The City of Houston’s consolidated plan notes a large backlog of households on public housing and Section 8 waitlists and flags major capital needs at aging properties. That helps explain why competition for these units remains steep, according to the City of Houston.
