Auburn Housing Authority: Section 8 waitlist, vouchers, and how to apply

Last updated 2026-07-09

What is the Auburn Housing Authority and what programs does it run?

The Auburn Housing Authority is a local public housing agency (PHA) chartered under Alabama law to run federally funded housing assistance in Auburn. Like every PHA in the country, it works under a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and follows the rules in 24 CFR Part 982 for the Housing Choice Voucher program and 24 CFR Part 966 for public housing ^[1].

AHA runs two main programs. The first is the Housing Choice Voucher program, which most people call Section 8. It pays part of your rent straight to a private landlord so you can live in a unit you pick, anywhere in the metro area, as long as it passes inspection and the rent fits AHA's payment standards. The second is traditional public housing: units AHA owns and rents directly to low-income families at a reduced rate.

AHA may also run project-based vouchers tied to specific apartment complexes, and it takes part in HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency program, which helps voucher holders build savings while they're on assistance ^[2]. A board of commissioners governs the agency, and it operates out of Auburn.

Want the national picture? The housing choice voucher program and section 8 pages on this site lay out the full federal framework.

What are Auburn Housing Authority's income limits for 2024?

HUD sets income limits for the Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area every year, and AHA has to use them. There are three tiers: Extremely Low Income (30% of Area Median Income), Very Low Income (50% of AMI), and Low Income (80% of AMI). The voucher program targets households at or below 50% AMI at admission, with priority for those at or below 30% AMI ^[3].

Here are HUD's FY 2024 income limits for Auburn-Opelika. These are the numbers AHA references at admission. They shift a little each year, so confirm the current figures at HUD's income limits page before you count on them.

Household size	Extremely Low (30% AMI)	Very Low (50% AMI)	Low (80% AMI)
1 person	~$17,150	~$28,600	~$45,700
2 persons	~$19,600	~$32,650	~$52,250
3 persons	~$22,050	~$36,750	~$58,750
4 persons	~$26,500	~$40,800	~$65,300
5 persons	~$30,660	~$44,100	~$70,500
6 persons	~$34,820	~$47,350	~$75,700

*Source: HUD FY 2024 Income Limits, Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area ^[3]. Figures rounded; confirm at HUD.gov before relying on them.*

Income just above 50% AMI doesn't lock you out forever. The limits change every year, and some applicants qualify under public housing at up to 80% AMI depending on local need. Call AHA to confirm which threshold applies to you at the time you apply.

Is the Auburn Housing Authority Section 8 waitlist open right now?

This is the first question everyone asks. The honest answer: it depends on the year and AHA's funding. Auburn's voucher waitlist has been closed more often than open. Demand at most Alabama PHAs runs far past their annual funding, so they open the list for a short window, take a set number of applications, and close it again, sometimes for years ^[4].

When the list opens, AHA usually posts it on its website, through local media, and on HUD's affordable housing tools. Our open Section 8 waiting lists page tracks openings across Alabama and the country.

A few things matter when you apply. AHA gives preference points to households with a member who has a disability, to veterans, to homeless households, and to current Auburn residents or workers (local preference). The exact categories live in AHA's Administrative Plan, which HUD requires every PHA to keep and share with the public ^[1]. Ask AHA for a copy or look for it on their site.

Wait times run two to five years or longer in high-demand metros. Nobody has clean data on Auburn specifically, but HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households dataset shows small-city Alabama PHAs seeing multi-year waits again and again ^[4].

Apply the day the list opens. Update your contact info every time you move. Answer every AHA letter by the deadline it names, or you can get dropped from the list without another notice.

How do you apply for Auburn Housing Authority Section 8?

You can only apply when the waitlist is open. When it is, the process usually runs like this:

1. Fill out AHA's application form. It might be paper (picked up at the office) or online. Watch the announcement for instructions tied to that specific opening. 2. Give household information: names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, income sources, and current address for every member. 3. Submit before the deadline. Late applications get rejected outright. 4. Save the confirmation AHA sends back. It has your application number, which you need to check your status later. 5. Wait for a placement letter. When your name nears the top, AHA contacts you to schedule an eligibility interview and verify income, assets, and household composition with real documents.

Bring these to the interview: birth certificates, Social Security cards, photo ID, proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, tax returns), bank statements, and paperwork for any disability or preference you're claiming. Missing documents push your appointment back.

HUD's rules at 24 CFR 982.201 set who's eligible at admission. Every household member who gets assistance has to have citizenship or eligible immigration status, though mixed-status families can still apply. The subsidy just covers the eligible members ^[1].

For the wider rental assistance picture in Alabama and what happens after you get a voucher, that linked guide has the details.

What are Auburn Housing Authority's payment standards?

A payment standard is the most AHA will pay toward rent plus utilities for a unit of a given bedroom size. It's built off HUD's Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the Auburn-Opelika metro. PHAs can set their own standards between 90% and 110% of the FMR, or up to 120% with HUD approval ^[1][5].

HUD's FY 2024 FMRs for Auburn-Opelika, AL:

Bedroom size	FY 2024 FMR
Efficiency	~$762
1 bedroom	~$857
2 bedrooms	~$1,045
3 bedrooms	~$1,376
4 bedrooms	~$1,614

*Source: HUD FY 2024 FMRs, Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area ^[5]. Confirm current AHA payment standards directly with the agency.*

AHA's actual payment standard can differ from the FMR. You pay the gap between the real rent and the payment standard, plus any utility costs a utility allowance doesn't cover. If a landlord charges more than the payment standard, that gap comes out of your pocket, and HUD caps how far your share can stretch.

Here's the ceiling that protects tenants. Under 24 CFR 982.508, a voucher holder can't be committed to more than 40% of adjusted monthly income toward rent at initial lease-up ^[1]. If a unit would push your share past 40%, AHA won't approve it at that price. Good for tenants, but it also means some higher-rent Auburn listings just won't work with a voucher unless the landlord negotiates down.

What do Auburn landlords need to know about accepting Section 8?

Landlords who take AHA vouchers get a steady monthly payment from a government agency for the subsidy share. There are real requirements attached, though, and you need to meet all of them.

Your unit has to pass HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection before a voucher tenant moves in. HQS is about health and safety: working heat, hot water, no lead paint hazards in pre-1978 housing, sound walls and ceilings, functioning smoke detectors, and more. The full standards sit in 24 CFR 982.401 ^[1]. Units in decent shape usually pass. Landlords who put off maintenance often get dinged. AHA re-inspects after repairs; fail twice and the voucher doesn't apply there.

The rent has to fit AHA's payment standards and pass a rent reasonableness test. AHA (or a contractor) compares your proposed rent to similar unassisted units in the same market. You can't charge a voucher tenant more than you'd charge an unassisted tenant for the same unit ^[6].

You sign a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract straight with AHA. The tenant signs a separate lease with you. Both run at the same time. If AHA's portion comes in late, that's AHA's problem, not the tenant's. In practice, PHA direct deposits are reliable.

Alabama has no statewide law forcing landlords to accept vouchers, so participation in Auburn is voluntary. Once you sign a HAP contract, though, you're bound by its terms for the full lease period. Landlords weighing this for their portfolio can check the landlord kit resources here at VoucherReady for a plain breakdown of the inspection and contract process.

Some landlords pass on vouchers over the inspection and the perceived paperwork. The inspection runs 30 to 60 minutes. The paperwork is real but not heavy once you've done it once. In a tight rental market, plenty of Auburn landlords find voucher holders carry lower turnover risk than the general pool.

Can you use an Auburn voucher to rent anywhere, or only in Auburn?

You can use an AHA voucher to rent anywhere, eventually. This is portability, and it's one of the most misread parts of the program.

Here's the timeline. When AHA issues your voucher, you usually have to lease a unit inside AHA's jurisdiction for at least 12 months before you can port out. Exceptions exist if you're moving to be closer to a job or to get away from domestic violence ^[1]. After 12 months of good tenancy, you can ask to port your voucher to any jurisdiction in the country where a PHA will take it.

Porting runs both directions. Living in another state and want to move to Auburn? You can port your voucher to AHA. AHA either administers your voucher itself (absorbs it) or sends the paperwork back to your original PHA (bills it). The receiving PHA has some discretion.

For anyone trying to move into Auburn from elsewhere, AHA's capacity matters. During tight funding years, PHAs sometimes suspend incoming port-ins. Confirm with AHA before you make moving plans.

Searching for available section 8 houses for rent near Auburn? That page has search strategies and links to the listing databases landlords post to.

What public housing does Auburn Housing Authority operate?

Public housing works differently from the voucher program. AHA owns the apartments and rents them directly to eligible low-income households at a subsidized rate, usually 30% of adjusted monthly income ^[7]. No private landlord is involved.

AHA operates public housing communities in Auburn. The exact unit and community count changes as HUD's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program converts older public housing into project-based voucher arrangements. RAD conversions don't push out current residents. They change the subsidy mechanism behind the scenes. If your AHA public housing unit goes through RAD, you keep a right to return and your rent formula stays about the same ^[8].

Public housing waitlists are separate from the voucher waitlist. Apply for one, apply for the other too. They don't overlap automatically. Public housing lists often move faster than voucher lists in smaller cities, though AHA's exact situation shifts year to year.

For seniors and people with disabilities, AHA may have housing with supportive services. HUD's low income senior housing programs include Section 202, which funds nonprofit-owned senior housing that sometimes runs alongside PHA-administered vouchers.

What happens at a HUD Housing Quality Standards inspection in Auburn?

Before AHA approves a unit for a voucher tenant, an inspector (AHA staff or a contractor) walks the property and checks it against HUD's Housing Quality Standards. This isn't a code inspection. It's a health-and-safety checklist with 13 key categories under 24 CFR 982.401 ^[1].

The categories: sanitary facilities, food preparation and refuse disposal, space and security, thermal environment (working heat), illumination and electricity, structure and materials, interior air quality, water supply, lead-based paint (pre-1978 units), access (exterior access without passing through another unit), site and neighborhood, sanitary conditions, and smoke detectors.

Where units usually fail:

• Missing or dead smoke detectors (easy fix, handle it before the inspector shows up)
• A water heater with no pressure relief valve
• Bedroom windows that won't open or lock
• Peeling paint in pre-1978 units (triggers a lead paint assessment under 24 CFR 35)
• Exposed wiring or missing outlet covers
• A heating system that doesn't run

Pass, and AHA issues a HAP contract and the tenancy starts. Fail, and AHA hands the landlord a list of deficiencies and a timeline to fix them, followed by a re-inspection. Fail the re-inspection twice and the process for that unit usually ends.

Tenants: walk through the unit yourself before the inspection and flag obvious problems to the landlord. You can also ask AHA for a copy of the inspection report afterward. That's your right under 24 CFR 982.405 ^[1].

How does Auburn Housing Authority handle rent increases and annual recertifications?

Voucher tenancies don't run on autopilot forever. Two things happen on a schedule: rent increases and annual recertifications.

Landlords can ask for a rent increase, but only at lease renewal. The request goes to AHA with enough notice (usually 60 days before the anniversary date), and AHA has to approve the new rent as both reasonable and within payment standards. It uses the same rent reasonableness test as at initial lease-up ^[6]. If Auburn market rents rise and you want to keep your voucher tenant, submit the request early. Approvals take time.

Tenants recertify every 12 months. AHA re-verifies household income, composition, and continued eligibility. Your rent share adjusts with your current income. Income up, share up. Income down (job loss, disability), share down. You do this by submitting updated documents and attending a recertification appointment.

Miss a recertification appointment without rescheduling, and AHA can end your assistance. This is one of the top reasons voucher holders lose their subsidy. Keep AHA current on your phone number and mailing address at all times.

Interim recertifications happen between annual ones when income or household composition changes a lot. HUD rules require tenants to report income increases within 10 to 30 days, depending on the PHA's administrative plan ^[1].

What other housing resources exist in or near Auburn, Alabama?

AHA isn't the only source of affordable housing around here. A few worth knowing:

Opelika Housing Authority covers neighboring Opelika and may have separate waitlists open at different times. Flexible on city? Apply to both.

The Alabama Housing Finance Authority (AHFA) runs the federal Low Income Housing Tax Credit program statewide, which funds income-restricted apartments that charge reduced rents without needing a voucher. Some LIHTC properties in the Auburn-Opelika area have their own applications and waitlists ^[9].

HUD's resource locator at HUD.gov lets you search subsidized properties near any zip code. That includes Section 8 New Construction properties, Section 202 senior housing, and LIHTC developments ^[10].

Auburn University students strain the local rental market and push rents above what voucher payment standards cover. This is a real friction point. A landlord can often get more from an unassisted student renter than from a voucher deal capped near FMR. Voucher holders in Auburn may need to bend on neighborhood or unit size to find a willing landlord.

Coming from out of state, or searching while you're still in another city? VoucherReady's go section 8 listing tool and the HUD housing guide have practical advice on finding units and approaching landlords who haven't posted on voucher-specific sites.

For how a housing authority works at the national level, the housing authority explainer covers PHA structure, funding, and tenant rights under federal law.

Frequently asked questions

How do I check my status on the Auburn Housing Authority waitlist?

Contact AHA by phone or visit the office with your application confirmation number. AHA isn't required to run an online status portal, though some PHAs do. Keep your contact info current so they can reach you. Don't assume silence means you're still on the list. AHA can remove applicants it can't reach.

What is the phone number and address for the Auburn Housing Authority?

AHA's contact details can change. The most reliable source is HUD's PHA contact directory at HUD.gov, which lists current addresses and phone numbers for every PHA in Alabama. Search for 'Auburn Housing Authority' or 'AL008' (AHA's HUD code). Call ahead before you visit to save a trip.

Can I apply to Auburn Housing Authority if I live in another city or state?

Yes. Most PHAs, Auburn included, accept applications from anyone who meets income and eligibility rules, no matter where they live now. AHA may give a local preference to Auburn residents or workers, which affects your waitlist position. Read the preference categories in AHA's Administrative Plan before you apply.

How much of my rent does Section 8 pay in Auburn?

The voucher covers the gap between 30% of your adjusted monthly income and AHA's payment standard for your unit size. If AHA's standard is $1,045 for a two-bedroom and your adjusted income is $1,500 a month, you pay about $450 and AHA pays roughly $595. Exact amounts depend on your income, household size, and the unit's rent and utility costs.

Does Auburn, Alabama have a law requiring landlords to accept Section 8?

No. Alabama has no statewide source-of-income anti-discrimination law, and Auburn hasn't passed a local ordinance requiring landlords to take vouchers. Acceptance is voluntary. Once a landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payments contract with AHA, though, they're legally bound to honor it for the lease term.

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher from Auburn Housing Authority?

Wait times hinge on funding, applicant volume, and your preference category. Multi-year waits are common at Alabama PHAs. HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households data shows many small-city PHAs with two to five year waits or longer. There's no reliable published figure for Auburn's current list. Ask AHA for an estimated wait when you apply.

What are Auburn Housing Authority's preferences that move applicants up the list?

Preference categories vary by PHA and live in the Administrative Plan. Common ones: current Auburn residents or workers, veterans and their families, households displaced by disaster or government action, and households with a disabled member. Preferences don't guarantee fast service. They place you ahead of others at the same income level who have no preference.

Can a Section 8 voucher from Auburn be used in another county or state?

Yes. After 12 months of good tenancy in AHA's jurisdiction, you can port your voucher anywhere in the country where another PHA can administer it. This is federal portability under 24 CFR 982.353. Exceptions to the 12-month rule exist for domestic violence survivors and job-related moves.

What documents do I need for the Auburn Housing Authority eligibility interview?

Bring government-issued photo ID for every adult, birth certificates for children, Social Security cards, the last 30 to 60 days of pay stubs, your most recent bank statements, award letters for any benefits (SSI, TANF, unemployment), and paperwork for any preference you're claiming. Missing documents delay approval.

What makes a unit fail HUD inspection in Auburn?

Common failures: missing or dead-battery smoke detectors, a heating system that doesn't run, peeling paint in pre-1978 units, bedroom windows that won't lock or open, exposed wiring, missing outlet covers, and no working hot water. Landlords should walk the unit before the inspection and fix obvious maintenance issues first.

Does Auburn Housing Authority have public housing in addition to Section 8?

Yes. AHA owns and operates public housing units rented directly to eligible households at roughly 30% of adjusted monthly income. Public housing and voucher waitlists are separate programs with separate applications. Some AHA public housing may be going through HUD's RAD conversion to project-based vouchers, which doesn't change tenant rent formulas.

What is the Fair Market Rent for Auburn, Alabama?

HUD sets FMRs every year for the Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area. For FY 2024, the FMR runs about $762 for an efficiency, $857 for one bedroom, $1,045 for two bedrooms, $1,376 for three bedrooms, and $1,614 for four bedrooms. AHA's payment standards sit at or near these. Confirm the current year's FMRs at HUD.gov.

Can I be evicted if my landlord leaves the Section 8 program in Auburn?

A landlord can't end your tenancy just because they want out of the program mid-HAP contract. Under 24 CFR 982.308, the lease and HAP contract run concurrently, so the landlord has to honor the lease term. At renewal, they can decline to renew, but they must follow normal notice rules and can't retaliate against you for using a voucher.

Sources

1. HUD.gov, 24 CFR Part 982 Housing Choice Voucher Program Regulation: HCV program rules covering eligibility (982.201), payment standard caps (982.503), 40% rent burden cap at initial lease-up (982.508), HQS inspection standards (982.401), portability (982.353), HAP contract requirements (982.308), and recertification requirements
2. HUD.gov, Family Self-Sufficiency Program: HUD's Family Self-Sufficiency program helps voucher holders build savings escrow accounts while on assistance
3. HUD User, FY 2024 Income Limits Documentation System: FY 2024 income limits for the Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area at 30%, 50%, and 80% of Area Median Income by household size
4. HUD User, Picture of Subsidized Households: HUD's dataset showing PHA-level housing assistance statistics, including indication that small-city Alabama PHAs frequently experience multi-year waitlists due to demand exceeding funding
5. HUD User, FY 2024 Fair Market Rents Documentation System: FY 2024 Fair Market Rents for the Auburn-Opelika, AL HUD Metro FMR Area: approximately $762 efficiency, $857 one-bedroom, $1,045 two-bedroom, $1,376 three-bedroom, $1,614 four-bedroom
6. HUD.gov, Housing Choice Voucher Landlord Resources (rent reasonableness, 24 CFR 982.507): PHAs must conduct a rent reasonableness determination before approving a unit; landlords cannot charge voucher tenants more than unassisted tenants for the same unit
7. HUD.gov, Public Housing Program: Public housing tenants pay approximately 30% of adjusted monthly income as rent; PHAs own and manage the units
8. HUD.gov, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD): RAD conversions do not displace existing residents and maintain tenant rent formulas during the conversion from public housing to project-based voucher subsidy
9. Alabama Housing Finance Authority, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program: AHFA administers the federal LIHTC program in Alabama, funding income-restricted apartments that charge reduced rents without requiring a tenant-based voucher
10. HUD.gov, Rental Assistance and Find Affordable Housing: HUD's resource locator allows searches for subsidized properties near any zip code, including Section 8 New Construction, Section 202 senior housing, and LIHTC developments
11. HUD.gov, Public Housing Agency Contact Information: HUD's official directory of Public Housing Authority contact information for every PHA in the country, including Auburn Housing Authority