Last updated 2026-07-10
TL;DR
Arlington, Virginia's Housing Choice Voucher program is run by the Arlington Housing Authority (ARHA). The waitlist opens irregularly and is often closed. Income limits for a family of four sit around $82,650 (50% AMI). ARHA's payment standards roughly track HUD's Fair Market Rents for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro. Voucher holders pay 30% of adjusted income; ARHA covers the rest up to the payment standard.
What is the Arlington housing voucher program?
The Arlington Housing Choice Voucher program is run by the Arlington Housing Authority (ARHA), a public housing authority set up under Virginia law. It pays for rental assistance through HUD's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, codified at 24 CFR Part 982. [1] Families use the voucher to rent privately owned housing anywhere in the country, as long as the unit passes inspection and the landlord agrees to take part.
ARHA is not the only source of housing help in Arlington County. The county's Department of Human Services runs supplemental programs, and several nonprofits operate here too. But the HCV program, what most people call Section 8, is ARHA's biggest rental assistance tool. [2]
Vouchers are tenant-based. The subsidy follows the family, not the apartment. Move to a new unit that passes inspection at a reasonable rent, and your voucher comes with you. That portability is one of the most underrated parts of the program.
Who runs the Arlington housing voucher: ARHA or the county?
ARHA runs it. The Arlington County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (its full name) handles the HCV program in Arlington. [2] The county government pays for some supportive housing on its own, but voucher administration, waitlist management, inspections, and landlord payment all go through ARHA.
ARHA's address is 2780 S. Taylor Street, Arlington, VA 22206. Program details and the main housing line live on the ARHA website. Get a call or email claiming to be "Arlington County Section 8" that asks for money or personal information upfront? That is a scam. ARHA never charges application fees.
If you want to see how public agencies handle vouchers across the country, the housing authority overview explains how PHAs work nationally.
Is the Arlington Section 8 waitlist open right now?
As of mid-2025, ARHA's Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed to new applicants. ARHA opens its waitlist rarely, announcing openings through its website, local media, and outreach to service agencies. Openings sometimes last only a few days before the list fills again. [2]
When the list does open, ARHA uses a lottery or first-come-first-served system, depending on the opening. Preference categories matter. ARHA generally gives priority to Arlington residents, people experiencing homelessness referred through county coordinated entry, and households displaced by government action.
The wait, once you are on the list, can run several years in a high-cost metro like Washington-Arlington-Alexandria. Nobody has clean public data on ARHA's current wait time, but HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households shows Arlington's voucher portfolio at roughly 1,400 to 1,600 active vouchers in recent years. [3] Demand far outruns supply.
Can't get on ARHA's list right now? Check open Section 8 waiting lists in nearby jurisdictions. A voucher issued by Alexandria Housing Authority or Fairfax County Redevelopment Authority can be ported into Arlington once you have used it in the issuing jurisdiction for at least 12 months, or right away if you work or have a job offer in Arlington.
What are the income limits for an Arlington housing voucher?
HUD sets income limits for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HUD Metro FMR Area each year. For the Housing Choice Voucher program, the standard eligibility cutoff is 50% of Area Median Income (AMI), called "Very Low Income." HUD also reserves 75% of new voucher admissions each year for households at or below 30% AMI ("Extremely Low Income"). [4]
For fiscal year 2024 (the most current HUD release at time of writing), the limits for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro were:
| Household size | 30% AMI (Extremely Low) | 50% AMI (Very Low) | 80% AMI (Low) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $35,050 | $58,450 | $87,700 |
| 2 people | $40,050 | $66,800 | $100,200 |
| 3 people | $45,050 | $75,150 | $112,750 |
| 4 people | $54,450 | $82,650 | $125,250 |
| 5 people | $58,800 | $89,300 | $135,300 |
Source: HUD FY2024 Income Limits, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HUD Metro FMR Area [4]
ARHA verifies income at admission and re-examination, usually every year. All sources count: wages, Social Security, SSI, child support, and most asset income. Self-employment income gets calculated after allowable business expenses.
What are ARHA's payment standards and Fair Market Rents?
The payment standard is the most subsidy ARHA will pay toward rent plus utilities for a given unit size. ARHA sets its own payment standards, which have to fall between 90% and 110% of HUD's published Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the metro area, unless ARHA has HUD approval to go higher. [1]
HUD's FY2025 Fair Market Rents for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro (used as the base) are:
| Unit size | HUD FY2025 FMR |
|---|---|
| Efficiency (0 BR) | $1,997 |
| 1 bedroom | $2,228 |
| 2 bedroom | $2,624 |
| 3 bedroom | $3,378 |
| 4 bedroom | $3,807 |
Source: HUD FY2025 Fair Market Rents, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria-Sterling, VA-MD-WV HMFAs [5]
ARHA's actual payment standards may sit at or above those FMRs, depending on their most recent administrative plan update. Because Arlington rents rank among the highest in the metro, ARHA has historically set payment standards at the high end of the allowable range. Check ARHA's current Administrative Plan or call the office for the exact figures in effect on your voucher issuance date.
Your share of rent is roughly 30% of your adjusted monthly income. If the unit's gross rent (rent plus any tenant-paid utilities) sits above the payment standard, you pay the difference on top of your 30%. Under 24 CFR 982.508, your total housing cost at initial lease-up cannot top 40% of your monthly adjusted income. [1] That rule keeps voucher holders from stretching into units they cannot afford.
For a wider look at how payment standards work nationally, the housing choice voucher program explainer walks through the math in detail.
How do you apply for an Arlington housing voucher?
Applications go in only when ARHA opens its waitlist. Here is the typical process:
1. Watch for waitlist opening announcements on ARHA's official website (arlingtonva.us/housing) and through Arlington County's Department of Human Services. Sign up for county notifications if that option exists. 2. When the list opens, submit an application online or in person during the open period. ARHA collects basic household information: names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, current address, and self-reported income. 3. ARHA either runs a lottery among all applications received or processes them in order of submission, depending on the specific opening rules. 4. If selected, you land on the waitlist and get asked periodically to confirm your continued interest and update your information. 5. When your name reaches the top (which can take years), ARHA schedules a briefing, verifies your eligibility with full documentation, and issues your voucher if you qualify.
One thing trips people up. You must respond promptly to every ARHA communication while on the waitlist, or you can be removed. Keep your mailing address and phone number current.
For a close look at the rental assistance landscape in Virginia, including other programs you can pursue while waiting, that guide covers Virginia Housing, local housing trust funds, and emergency rental assistance.
What housing can you rent with an Arlington voucher?
Once you hold a voucher, you can rent almost any privately owned unit in the U.S., not only in Arlington. The unit has to:
- Pass ARHA's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection [6]
- Have a gross rent that is reasonable compared to similar unassisted units nearby
- Be leased by an owner willing to join the program
Finding a willing landlord in Arlington is the hard part. Arlington's rental vacancy rate runs low, and market rents often bump against or top the payment standard, so some landlords prefer unassisted tenants who can pay above the standard without the 40% cap kicking in. Virginia state law does not currently require landlords to accept vouchers (source of income is not a protected class under Virginia's fair housing statute as of mid-2025), though Arlington County has its own ordinance worth checking.
Useful search tools include HUD's resource locator and sites like Go Section 8, which pulls together voucher-friendly listings. You can also search Section 8 houses for rent listings specific to Northern Virginia.
Can't find a suitable unit in Arlington within your search period (usually 60 to 120 days, with possible extensions)? Port your voucher to a neighboring jurisdiction with lower rents, like Alexandria, Falls Church, or Fairfax County, where the payment standard may match available units better.
What do Arlington landlords need to know about accepting vouchers?
Landlords who take an Arlington HCV tenant enter a three-way relationship: you, the tenant, and ARHA. The lease is between you and the tenant. A separate Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract is between you and ARHA. [1]
What landlords should know:
ARHA pays its portion (the HAP) directly to the landlord each month, usually by direct deposit. Payments stay reliable as long as the unit remains in compliance and the tenant is eligible.
The unit must pass an initial HQS inspection before ARHA can authorize the lease. Common failures in older Arlington stock: peeling paint (especially in pre-1978 housing, where lead paint rules apply under 24 CFR 35), window guards, smoke detector placement, and water heater temperature settings. [7] Plan for an inspection turnaround of a week to several weeks.
Annual inspections are required. If the unit fails and the landlord does not make repairs within ARHA's deadline, ARHA can abate the HAP payment (stop paying the landlord) while the tenant stays put. That hurts everyone, so take the annual inspection seriously.
Rent increases need ARHA approval at least 60 days before the lease anniversary. ARHA approves the increase only if the new rent is reasonable against the market and stays within the payment standard parameters.
VoucherReady's landlord kit walks through the HAP contract, the inspection checklist, and rent reasonableness documentation in one place. It saves time if you are doing this for the first time.
For the policy framework around voucher-based HUD housing programs, that guide explains HUD's oversight role versus the PHA's day-to-day administration.
How does porting an Arlington voucher to or from another city work?
Portability lets you use your voucher outside the jurisdiction that issued it. Under 24 CFR 982.353, a family can port after living in the issuing PHA's jurisdiction for at least 12 months, or right away if they already live in the receiving jurisdiction or have a job (or job offer) there. [1]
Say you hold an ARHA-issued voucher and want to move to Montgomery County, Maryland. ARHA notifies Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission (MCHOC), which then either absorbs the voucher under its own program or bills ARHA for the subsidy. Either way, you deal with the receiving PHA for inspections and ongoing administration.
Hold a voucher from another PHA and want to move into Arlington? ARHA may absorb your voucher into its program or keep a billing arrangement with your issuing PHA. ARHA's current policy on absorbing incoming ports depends on their voucher budget utilization, which shifts. Call ARHA before you assume they will absorb your voucher.
The practical reality: porting from a lower-cost area into Arlington is tough because Arlington's rents often top the payment standard of the issuing PHA. Make sure the issuing PHA will update your payment standard to Arlington levels once ARHA takes over, which HUD rules require them to do.
What other affordable housing options exist in Arlington beyond vouchers?
Arlington has a fairly developed affordable housing system beyond the HCV program.
Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs): Arlington's inclusionary zoning requires developers to set aside a share of units in new market-rate buildings as ADUs at below-market rents, usually targeting 60% AMI. Arlington County manages the ADU program separately from ARHA. The waitlist for ADUs is long too. [8]
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties: Several apartment complexes in Arlington were built or renovated with LIHTC financing, which caps rents at 60% AMI or below. You do not need a voucher to live there. You just need to qualify on income. See the overview of the low income housing tax credit program for how these properties work.
ARHA's own public housing: ARHA owns and manages a small number of public housing units directly. These are separate from the voucher program.
Senior housing: Arlington has dedicated affordable senior housing through ARHA and nonprofit providers. If you or a family member is 62 or older, check low income senior housing options in the county, which often have shorter waits than the general HCV list.
Virginia Housing also offers rental assistance programs and can be a bridge while you wait for a voucher. [9]
What are your rights as an Arlington voucher holder?
Voucher holders have federal fair housing protections under the Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604). ARHA must also follow HUD's equal access rules and cannot deny assistance based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, or familial status. [10]
Arlington County has its own Human Rights Ordinance that adds protections, including source of income (which covers voucher holders) as a protected class in housing. That local protection carries real weight. If a landlord in Arlington refuses to rent to you specifically because you have a voucher, that may violate Arlington's ordinance. You can file a complaint with the Arlington County Human Rights Office. [11]
If ARHA proposes to end your assistance, you have the right to an informal hearing. Under 24 CFR 982.555, you can request a hearing within the time period spelled out in ARHA's notice, usually 10 business days. [1] Get everything in writing, keep copies of your lease and all ARHA correspondence, and contact a housing counselor or legal aid attorney if you get a termination notice.
The Legal Aid Justice Center serves Northern Virginia and can help voucher holders facing termination, discrimination, or landlord disputes. Their services are free for qualifying low-income households. [12]
VoucherReady covers tenant rights in detail in the tenant-rights section, with Virginia-specific guidance on lease disputes, inspection failures, and ARHA appeals.
How does the Arlington voucher program compare to neighboring PHAs?
Trying to decide where to apply or port to? A quick comparison helps.
| PHA | Payment standard (2 BR, approx.) | Waitlist status (mid-2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARHA (Arlington) | ~$2,600-$2,900 | Closed | High rents; scarce units at standard |
| Alexandria RPDHA | ~$2,400-$2,700 | Closed (check site) | Similar market; small voucher pool |
| Fairfax County RPRHA | ~$2,500-$2,900 | Closed | Largest suburban PHA in metro |
| DC Housing Authority | ~$2,700-$3,200 | Closed | Often years-long wait |
| Prince George's Co. HA | ~$1,900-$2,200 | Periodically opens | Lower rents; more units within standard |
| Montgomery Co. HO (MD) | ~$2,300-$2,600 | Closed | Strong portability track record |
Sources: HUD FY2025 FMRs [5]; individual PHA websites (payment standards vary by PHA administrative plan and change over time).
The honest takeaway: if your goal is to live specifically in Arlington, you almost certainly need an ARHA voucher or a ported voucher, because neighboring PHAs' payment standards may not cover Arlington rents. If you can be flexible on location, applying to multiple PHAs increases your odds of getting housed faster.
For a wider view of the housing section 8 program structure and how to apply to multiple PHAs strategically, that guide is worth reading alongside this one.
Frequently asked questions
When will the Arlington Section 8 waitlist open again?
ARHA has not announced a scheduled opening date as of mid-2025. Waitlist openings are unpredictable. The best move is to monitor ARHA's official website (arlingtonva.us/housing) and sign up for Arlington County government email alerts. When openings happen they can close within days, so you need to be ready to apply immediately.
How long is the wait for a Section 8 voucher in Arlington, VA?
ARHA has not published a current estimated wait time publicly. In high-cost metros like Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, waits of three to seven years or longer are common for applicants without emergency preference status. HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households data shows ARHA managing roughly 1,400 to 1,600 active vouchers, which gives a rough sense of how limited supply is against demand.
Can I use an Arlington voucher to rent anywhere in the United States?
Yes, after you have lived in Arlington for 12 months, or right away if you already live in or have a job offer in another jurisdiction. This is called portability, governed by 24 CFR 982.353. You contact ARHA to start the port, and ARHA coordinates with the receiving PHA. The receiving PHA's payment standards and rules then apply to your voucher.
What documents do I need to apply for an Arlington housing voucher?
At initial application (when the waitlist opens) ARHA usually collects basic household information only: names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and current address. Full documentation, including pay stubs, tax returns, bank statements, ID, and birth certificates, gets verified later when your name reaches the top of the list. Gathering those documents in advance saves time when you are called.
Does Arlington have source of income protection for voucher holders?
Yes. Arlington County's Human Rights Ordinance prohibits discrimination based on source of income in housing, which covers Housing Choice Vouchers. That is stronger than Virginia state law, which does not include source of income as a protected class. If a landlord refuses to rent to you specifically because you have a voucher, you can file a complaint with the Arlington County Human Rights Office.
What is the maximum rent for Section 8 in Arlington, VA?
ARHA's payment standard sets the maximum subsidy. For FY2025, HUD's Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metro is $2,624. ARHA may set its payment standard above that figure. If a unit's gross rent tops the payment standard, you pay the difference, but your total housing costs cannot exceed 40% of your adjusted monthly income at initial lease-up under 24 CFR 982.508.
Do Arlington landlords have to accept Section 8 vouchers?
Under Arlington County's Human Rights Ordinance, landlords generally cannot refuse to rent solely because a prospective tenant has a housing voucher. Virginia state law does not require voucher acceptance, but Arlington's local ordinance adds source of income as a protected class. Landlords still screen on other lawful criteria like credit, rental history, and income verification. When in doubt, consult an attorney familiar with Arlington's ordinance.
How much does a Section 8 tenant pay in Arlington?
You pay roughly 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities. If the unit's gross rent sits above ARHA's payment standard, you pay the difference on top of your 30%. At initial lease-up, federal rules cap your total share at 40% of adjusted monthly income. After the first lease term, there is no hard cap on your share if you choose to stay in a higher-rent unit.
What happens at an Arlington housing voucher inspection?
ARHA inspectors check the unit against HUD Housing Quality Standards (24 CFR 982.401). They look at structural conditions, electrical systems, plumbing, smoke detectors, window and door security, and lead paint hazards in pre-1978 housing. If anything fails, the landlord gets a deadline for repairs. The lease cannot start until the unit passes. Annual re-inspections are required throughout the tenancy.
Can I transfer my Section 8 voucher from another state to Arlington?
Yes. Port your voucher into Arlington by telling your issuing PHA you want to move to Arlington, Virginia. The issuing PHA contacts ARHA. ARHA may absorb your voucher into its program or keep a billing arrangement. The key hurdle is whether the rent you find in Arlington falls within a workable payment standard. ARHA applies its own payment standards once it administers your voucher.
Are there Section 8 apartments specifically for seniors in Arlington?
Yes. ARHA and several nonprofit developers operate affordable senior housing in Arlington, some of which accepts housing vouchers and some of which is income-restricted without requiring a voucher. Seniors 62 or older should ask ARHA specifically about elderly preference categories and check with Arlington County's Department of Human Services for a current list of senior housing properties.
What is ARHA and how is it different from Arlington County?
ARHA stands for the Arlington County Redevelopment and Housing Authority. It is a separate legal entity from Arlington County government, though county-funded. ARHA runs federal HUD programs including Housing Choice Vouchers, owns public housing, and finances affordable housing development. Arlington County's Department of Human Services handles social services and some supplemental rental assistance, but does not run HCV directly.
Can I be evicted from my Section 8 apartment in Arlington?
A landlord can pursue eviction through Virginia courts for lease violations, nonpayment of your share of rent, or other cause, following standard Virginia landlord-tenant law. ARHA can also end your voucher for program violations. If you get an eviction notice or a voucher termination notice, you have rights: request an informal hearing from ARHA under 24 CFR 982.555 and contact the Legal Aid Justice Center promptly.
What other rental assistance programs are available in Arlington besides vouchers?
Arlington offers Affordable Dwelling Units (ADUs) through inclusionary zoning, LIHTC-restricted apartments at 60% AMI, ARHA-owned public housing, and emergency rental assistance through Arlington County Human Services. Virginia Housing runs statewide rental assistance programs. For households facing an immediate crisis, the Homelessness Services Center and Doorways for Women and Families also provide bridge assistance.
Sources
- HUD, 24 CFR Part 982 - Section 8 Tenant-Based Assistance: Housing Choice Voucher Program: Program rules for payment standards, portability (982.353), rent burden cap at initial lease-up (982.508), and tenant hearing rights (982.555)
- Arlington County Redevelopment and Housing Authority (ARHA), Housing Choice Voucher Program: ARHA administers the HCV program in Arlington; waitlist status and program overview
- HUD, Picture of Subsidized Households: Data on Arlington's active voucher count in recent years
- HUD, FY2024 Income Limits Documentation System: FY2024 income limits at 30%, 50%, and 80% AMI for Washington-Arlington-Alexandria HUD Metro FMR Area
- HUD, FY2025 Fair Market Rents: FY2025 FMRs by bedroom size for the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria-Sterling HMFAs
- HUD, Housing Quality Standards (HQS), 24 CFR 982.401: HQS inspection requirements that units must meet before an HCV lease can be authorized
- HUD, Lead-Based Paint Regulations, 24 CFR Part 35: Lead paint inspection and disclosure requirements for pre-1978 housing in the HCV program
- Arlington County, Affordable Dwelling Unit (ADU) Program: Arlington's inclusionary zoning ADU program targeting households at or below 60% AMI
- Virginia Housing, Rental Assistance Programs: Virginia Housing statewide rental assistance programs available to Virginia residents
- HUD, Fair Housing Act Overview: Federal fair housing protections applicable to HCV holders under 42 U.S.C. § 3604
- Arlington County, Human Rights Office: Arlington County's local ordinance adding source of income as a protected class in housing
- Legal Aid Justice Center: Free legal services for low-income voucher holders in Northern Virginia facing termination or discrimination