GA DCA Waiting List FAQ

Waiting List

DCA’s Project Based Voucher Program wait lists are currently closed.

Welcome to the Housing Choice Voucher Wait List Information

The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) provides rental subsidy to assist extremely low and low income individuals and families in renting safe, decent and affordable housing in the private rental market throughout Georgia's Department of Community Affairs (DCA)'s jurisdiction. The subsidy is given to eligible families who were selected from our wait list. Eligibility for the program is based on several factors including the family's income and eligible citizenship status.

DCA Does Not Charge Application Fees

Please be aware of any website or company that states that it charges fees on behalf of DCA.

DCA administers the program in 149 of Georgia's 159 counties through two regional offices located around the state. The remaining 10 counties are served by their local housing authorities.

See Housing Choice Voucher Applicant FAQs

Disclaimer

We do our best to provide the most accurate information on this site. Unless specifically stated otherwise here, the printed legal announcement will take precedence over any discrepancies.

Our site is periodically updated. Please frequently check for new information.

 

Waiting List: Documents & Downloads

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Applicant FAQ 

 

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program? The Housing Choice Voucher Program, also known as Section 8, is part of Georgia's comprehensive housing program administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This is a tenant based rental assistance program that assists extremely low and low-income individuals and families rent safe, decent, and affordable dwelling units in the private rental market. Is the Housing Choice Voucher Program wait list open? DCA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program wait list is currently closed. I am homeless, what programs or services are available? DCA does not have any emergency housing or services available. If immediate assistance is needed because you are homeless or threatening homelessness, please email [e-mail] . Additional information can be obtained through DCA’s Homeless and Special Needs Housing. Do you offer any emergency assistance? DCA does not have emergency housing assistance available. What counties does DCA cover? DCA administers the program in 149 of Georgia’s 159 counties and maintains two waiting list. One for the northern region and one wait list for the southern region. What is the application process for a receiving a Housing Choice Voucher? DCA’s wait list is currently closed. When the wait list does open, we will post opening dates on our website. When the application period closes, we will select a certain number of applications utilizing a lottery system. This gives every applicant an equal opportunity of being selected for the wait list. Does DCA have wait list preferences? DCA gives preference to applicants where the head of household and spouse or co-head live, work or have been notified that they are hired to work in one of the counties listed in the waiting list for which they are applying for. What are the income guidelines? How much can I make & still qualify? To be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher program, your adjusted income must be at or below 50% of the area median income for the county which you will live in. Income Limits What information do you verify? DCA is required to review third party documentation to verify all income, expenses, assets, and any other items related to eligibility. What happens after I submit the application on the wait list? An Application Confirmation Number will be displayed on your screen when you have successfully completed the application. It is very important that you print your Application Confirmation Number for your records. Can more than one person in my household submit an application? Yes, however each person must be 18 years of age or older or be an emancipated minor in accordance with the laws of the state of Georgia. How are applicants selected from the wait list? Selection for the wait list is not made on a first come first serve basis. To give every applicant an equal opportunity of being selected for the wait list, DCA uses an outside agency to conduct a random lottery selection for placement on the wait list. Could I be denied? If so, why? There are several reasons an applicant could be denied. • You are subject to a life-time sex offender registration requirement. • You were evicted from federally assisted housing for the manufacture of methamphetamine. • You owe money to another Housing Authority. • You were evicted from federally assisted housing in the last three years for drug-related criminal activity. • You are not income eligible or do not meet eligibility criteria. If I am selected for a wait list, do I automatically qualify for housing? No. If selected, DCA must verify your eligibility once your name gets to the top of the wait list. This verification will determine if you meet the basic eligibility requirements of the program. When will I be notified whether I made the wait list lottery? DCA will post the winning numbers (Application Confirmation Number) on our online portal. Should I report changes in income/family members while on the wait list? You are required to notify DCA of any changes to your household size, income, assets, address, phone number, email address, or employment status within 10 business days. The Preliminary Application Update/Correction Request form can be used to update or correct information. You can submit the form at [e-mail] or mail (DCA P.O. Box 957057 Duluth, GA 30095). When will I receive my voucher? Unfortunately, we are unable to predict how long it might take for you to receive a voucher once you are on the wait list. When a family reaches the top of the HCV wait list, DCA will contact the family. When will I be considered for housing? You can only be considered for housing when you have reached the top of the wait list. If I am considered for housing, how will I be notified? DCA will notify the family by first class mail when they have been selected from the wait list. The notice will provide information on a scheduled briefing and a listing of documents which must be brought to the briefing. It is imperative that your mailing address be up to date. If a notification letter is returned to DCA with no forwarding address, the family will be removed from the wait list.