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Section 8 Housing Waitlist Reopening in Austin

Updated: Wednesday, October 22 2014, 02:13 PM CDT

If you're trying to find an affordable place to live in Austin, there is some good news this morning. For the first time since 2006, the city is opening up its waitlist for Section 8 housing, which gives rental vouchers to more than 5,000 housing units.

The Housing Department is expecting many more people to apply than the 2,500 waitlist spots they have open, so they are using a lottery system. Since midnight Wednesday, Austinites started pre-applying online to be on that waiting list. It's open through 11:59 p.m. on October 29.

Currently Austin's housing department is helping more than 18,000 people keep up with their rent. The federal government puts Austin's average rent for a two-bedroom apartment at $1,050 per month. That's up roughly 20 percent from 2006, when Section 8's waitlist was last open. Then a two-bedroom was averaging $804 per month.

Affordability is a huge issue politically in Austin. Most of the mayoral and city council candidates are talking about it in their campaigns. It's also been a key talking point in the debate over Proposition 1, the urban rail and road bond Austinites will vote on in November.

The lottery for the Section 8 waitlist spots will happen within 45 days after the pre-application window closes. The city will post the winners online around mid-December. You can also check your status online.

The application process is online only. For more information, including eligibility requirements, and to apply, click here.

By Ericka Miller

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