Jonesboro Housing Authority: Section 8 guide for tenants and landlords

Last updated 2026-07-09

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

The Jonesboro Housing Authority is the local public housing agency (PHA) for Jonesboro, Arkansas and the surrounding Craighead County area. Like every PHA in the country, it operates under a HUD Annual Contributions Contract. Federal dollars flow from HUD to JHA, and JHA runs the programs locally ^[1].

Two programs come up most. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, still called Section 8 by almost everyone, pays rental subsidies that tenants use with private landlords. JHA also runs its own public housing developments, which are fixed units the authority owns rather than portable subsidies a tenant carries around.

The HCV side is what people mean when they say "Section 8 in Jonesboro." You find a private landlord willing to rent to you. The unit passes a Housing Quality Standards inspection. JHA approves the lease and the rent. Then JHA pays the landlord a share of the rent every month, and you pay the rest. That split runs on the local payment standard, which is the single number you most need to understand before you sign anything.

For how the program works nationally, see our guide to the housing choice voucher program.

Is the JHA Section 8 waitlist open right now?

You have to check with JHA directly. The list opens and closes on no set schedule, and there's no reliable way to know its status without asking.

Jonesboro's waitlist has stayed closed for long stretches. PHAs across the country closed lists during COVID-era funding uncertainty and have reopened them at their own pace. HUD requires that any PHA opening a waitlist publish notice in a newspaper of general circulation and, since 2016, on its own website ^[2]. JHA's main office is (870) 931-0560, and the authority posts updates at jonesboroha.com.

When the list opens, it often opens for a short window, sometimes just a few days. Most PHAs, JHA included, take applications through an online portal now, so you'd apply there rather than in person. The list usually runs by date and time of application, not by need. Preferences (veterans, persons with disabilities, local residents) can move you up inside your preference group, but they don't jump you ahead of everyone already on the list.

To track open lists across Arkansas, HUD keeps a PHA contact database ^[1], and our page on open Section 8 waiting lists lays out a strategy for applying to several PHAs at once. That's almost always the right move.

One practical note. Craighead County is also served by the Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA), the statewide housing agency. If JHA's list is closed, ADFA sometimes runs vouchers in the same area through its own allocation. Calling both takes five minutes and is worth it.

How long is the JHA waitlist and how long does it take to get a voucher?

JHA has not published a precise waitlist length in recent years, which is frustratingly common for smaller PHAs. HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households database gives aggregate numbers, but individual wait times swing with funding, voucher turnover, and how many people applied during each opening ^[3].

A reasonable range for smaller Arkansas PHAs is 12 to 36 months from application to voucher. That's a wide spread on purpose. If you applied under a high preference (disaster displacement, veteran, person with a disability), you could move faster. Without a preference, you could sit near the bottom for years.

HUD requires PHAs to update applicant information at least once a year and to purge applicants who don't respond ^[2]. Missing a status update letter is one of the most common ways people lose their spot. If you applied, make sure JHA has your current mailing address and phone number. They will not hunt for you.

What are JHA's payment standards and fair market rents for Jonesboro?

The payment standard is the most JHA will pay toward rent and utilities for a given unit size. It's set between 90% and 110% of HUD's published Fair Market Rents (FMRs) for the Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area ^[4]. A PHA picks its own standard inside that band, and can ask HUD to go higher in high-cost neighborhoods under the Small Area FMR rules, though Jonesboro is not a designated Small Area FMR market ^[10].

HUD publishes new FMRs each October for the coming fiscal year. For FY2025, the Jonesboro Metro FMRs are roughly these ^[4]:

Unit Size	HUD FY2025 FMR (Jonesboro Metro)
Efficiency (0BR)	$583
1 Bedroom	$668
2 Bedroom	$862
3 Bedroom	$1,131
4 Bedroom	$1,328

JHA's adopted payment standard may differ, because the authority can set it anywhere from 90% to 110% of these numbers. Call JHA for the current adopted figure, which they're required to publish ^[5].

Why does this matter to tenants? If you want a unit priced above the payment standard, you pay the gap on top of your 30%-of-income share. That extra is called excess rent. HUD caps total tenant payment at 40% of adjusted monthly income at initial lease-up ^[5]. Say a unit rents for $1,000, the 2BR payment standard is $862, and your income-based share is $200. You'd pay $200 plus $138 in excess, or $338. That math sinks a lot of market-rate Jonesboro units for anyone on a tight income.

For landlords, the payment standard is the ceiling on approved rent, paired with a rent reasonableness test that compares your unit to similar unassisted rentals nearby.

How does a voucher holder find rental housing in Jonesboro?

Once your voucher is in hand, JHA gives you a search period, usually 60 days, with extensions possible for good cause ^[5]. Sixty days feels generous until you're cold-calling landlords in a tight market.

Jonesboro's rental market has tightened a lot since 2020. Arkansas State University pulls demand in the northeast part of the city, and industrial growth around the Amazon fulfillment center and other employers has pushed vacancy rates down. Voucher holders sometimes struggle to find a landlord who takes vouchers before the clock runs out.

Where to look. Start with HUD's housing search tool (HUDhousing.gov). Check our page on section 8 houses for rent for more search tools. Ask JHA whether they keep a list of voucher-friendly landlords; some PHAs keep an informal one, and staff can tell you fast. The go section 8 platform also lists landlords who've opted in to voucher tenants.

One thing to say clearly to any landlord: participating doesn't trap them in the program. They can decline to renew at the end of the term, same as with any tenant, as long as they give proper notice and don't break the lease or fair housing law.

What do Jonesboro landlords need to do to accept a Section 8 voucher?

No license is required to participate, but there are real steps before the first check lands.

First, the rent has to be reasonable. JHA compares the proposed rent to similar unassisted units in Jonesboro. If your rent runs above market for comparable square footage, condition, and location, JHA won't approve it ^[5].

Second, the unit has to pass a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection by JHA's own inspectors. HQS covers 13 performance areas, including sanitary facilities, food preparation, space and security, the thermal environment, illumination, structure, interior air quality, water supply, lead paint safety, access, site and neighborhood, sanitary conditions, and smoke detectors ^[6]. Most functional units pass. The common failures are missing smoke detectors, peeling paint in pre-1978 buildings (lead paint rules), broken windows, and appliances the landlord listed as provided that don't work.

Third, the landlord signs a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with JHA. This is separate from the lease between landlord and tenant. The HAP contract spells out what JHA pays, when it pays, and what stops payment ^[5].

Payments arrive monthly by direct deposit. JHA pays its portion straight to the landlord; the tenant pays their portion to the landlord. If the tenant stops paying their share, that's between landlord and tenant, same as any rental. JHA does not cover unpaid tenant portions.

For landlords deciding whether to take vouchers, the downside is inspection delays and setup time. The upside is a JHA payment that shows up every month and doesn't bounce. Our rental assistance guide compares the tradeoffs in more depth.

What happens at a JHA HQS inspection and how long does it take?

JHA schedules the initial inspection after the tenant and landlord submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA). Scheduling depends on staffing and volume, but two to four weeks from submission to inspection is common at smaller PHAs.

The inspection itself runs 30 to 60 minutes. The landlord and tenant should be there, or at least send someone. The inspector works through each HQS category and marks every item pass, fail, or inconclusive.

If the unit fails, JHA usually sets a deadline, often 30 days, for the landlord to fix the problems and ask for a reinspection ^[6]. Your voucher search clock keeps running the whole time, so a failed inspection on a unit you love can eat through an extension fast. Some PHAs allow a 24-hour emergency correction window for minor items. Ask JHA if they do.

HQS inspections also happen every year for units already under a HAP contract. The unit has to keep passing. Landlords who've been on the program a while sometimes get caught out by a category being enforced harder than before, especially carbon monoxide detectors, which HUD folded into HQS guidance after years of leaning on local codes.

Can a JHA voucher holder move to another city or state (portability)?

Yes. The housing choice voucher program is built to be portable after you've lived in JHA's jurisdiction for at least 12 months (or the initial lease term, whichever is shorter) ^[5].

Porting out of Jonesboro makes JHA your initial PHA. You request portability, JHA issues a portability letter, and the receiving PHA in your destination city takes over. The receiving PHA can absorb your voucher into its own program (most common) or bill JHA for the subsidy.

Porting in works the same way in reverse. If you hold a voucher from another PHA and want to move to Jonesboro, you contact JHA about absorbing it. JHA can accept or decline based on its current funding and staffing.

One real problem: some rural PHAs cap how many ported vouchers they'll absorb because they're stretched thin. JHA may or may not be taking port-ins at any given moment. Call before you assume.

What income limits qualify for JHA Section 8 assistance?

HUD sets income limits for each metro area every year. To qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher program, a household's income has to be at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI) for its size, which HUD labels "very low income" ^[7]. By law, PHAs must send at least 75% of new vouchers to households at or below 30% of AMI, which HUD calls "extremely low income" ^[7].

For the Jonesboro Metro Area in FY2025, HUD's income limits are roughly ^[7]:

Household Size	30% AMI (Extremely Low)	50% AMI (Very Low)	80% AMI (Low)
1 person	$13,900	$23,150	$37,050
2 persons	$15,900	$26,450	$42,350
3 persons	$17,850	$29,750	$47,650
4 persons	$21,150	$33,050	$52,950
5 persons	$25,820	$35,700	$57,200

These update every spring. Confirm current limits at HUD's income limits page ^[7] before you assume you qualify. Income isn't just your paycheck: it counts wages, self-employment income, child support, Social Security, pensions, and certain other sources, with deductions for dependents, childcare, medical expenses for elderly or disabled households, and disability expenses ^[5].

If your income rises after you're admitted, you don't lose the voucher automatically. Your tenant share adjusts up. You lose eligibility only if your income tops 80% of AMI and JHA determines you're no longer income-eligible at annual recertification.

What preferences does JHA give and who gets priority?

PHAs can set local preferences that shape waitlist order within HUD's rules ^[2]. Common ones include displaced families (domestic violence, fire, flood, natural disaster), veterans and veteran families, working families, persons with disabilities, and current Jonesboro residents.

JHA's specific preference categories live in its Administrative Plan, which the authority has to make publicly available ^[2]. Ask JHA for a copy of the current plan if you want the definitive list. The plan also spells out how preferences get documented, what evidence you submit, and how disputes are handled.

Here's the practical part: if you qualify for a preference, document it when you apply. Adding one later is possible in some cases, but it's more work and PHAs handle it differently.

Does JHA offer any programs specifically for elderly or disabled residents?

HUD requires PHAs to make their programs accessible and serve persons with disabilities fairly. JHA takes federal funds, so it has to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act ^[8]. That means reasonable accommodations through the application and housing process, accessible communication formats, and accessible unit assignments where they exist.

For elderly and disabled households, JHA's public housing stock may include designated units or developments. HUD also funds Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) tied to specific developments rather than portable ones, and some PBV units are set aside for elderly populations. JHA may hold PBV contracts with specific Jonesboro properties. Call and ask directly whether they administer any project-based units, including any reserved for seniors.

For other options in the area, our guide to low income senior housing covers LIHTC properties and HUD Section 202 developments that run alongside the voucher program.

How do tenants and landlords resolve disputes or file complaints with JHA?

Tenants have two main routes when they disagree with a JHA decision. First, informal hearings: you can ask for a meeting with JHA staff to talk it through. Second, formal grievance hearings: if JHA moves to terminate your assistance, you have a right to an informal hearing before the termination takes effect ^[5]. HUD requires PHAs to keep a written grievance procedure and to give adequate notice of any adverse action.

Landlord disputes, usually over HAP amounts or inspection findings, go through JHA's administrative process. There's no formal HUD appeals track for landlords on rent disputes. The remedy is usually fixing the deficiency or, if you think the rent reasonableness call was wrong, submitting comparable rental data.

For complaints about how JHA runs the program, the HUD Field Office for Arkansas is the Little Rock Field Office ^[1]. HUD can look into whether a PHA is violating its Annual Contributions Contract or HUD rules. The process is slow and HUD rarely steps into individual cases, but documented pattern complaints do get attention.

Fair housing complaints (discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or religion) go to HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity (FHEO) ^[9]. Arkansas has no statewide source-of-income protection law as of mid-2026, which means landlords in Jonesboro can legally refuse to rent to voucher holders unless a local ordinance says otherwise. Jonesboro hasn't passed one, so voucher refusal is legal in the city right now. Federal fair housing protections still apply if the refusal is a cover for discrimination against a protected class.

Tools and resources for Jonesboro voucher holders and landlords

A few resources worth bookmarking.

HUD's PHA Contact Locator at HUD.gov finds JHA's contact info and confirms it's current ^[1]. HUD's Fair Market Rents database publishes updated FMRs each October ^[4]. HUD's income limits page carries the latest eligibility thresholds ^[7].

For tenants building a search strategy, VoucherReady's free waitlist tracker watches multiple PHAs at once. That matters, because applying to JHA alone while its list is closed costs you real time. You can apply to any PHA in Arkansas, or anywhere in the country, whose list is open, then port your voucher to Jonesboro once it comes through.

For landlords weighing their first voucher tenant, VoucherReady's one-time landlord kit walks through the RFTA, an HQS prep checklist, and HAP contract terms, so you don't arrive at an inspection guessing what the inspector wants.

The housing authority guide on this site covers what to expect from any PHA relationship, and hud housing explains the full set of HUD programs beyond vouchers, including LIHTC and Section 202 properties in Jonesboro that might be easier to reach than a voucher when the waitlist is closed.

One honest caveat: no third party has current, verified data on JHA's exact waitlist length or payment standard without calling them. The best any outside guide can do is give you the framework. The numbers that decide your case come from JHA directly, and they're required to give them to you.

Frequently asked questions

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

The Jonesboro Housing Authority's main office phone is (870) 931-0560. The authority is in Jonesboro, Arkansas. Confirm the current address and hours at their website (jonesboroha.com) before visiting, since office hours and locations change. HUD's PHA locator at HUD.gov also lists current contact information for JHA.

How do I apply for Section 8 in Jonesboro, AR?

You apply through JHA's online portal when the waitlist is open. You can't apply while the list is closed, so first call JHA at (870) 931-0560 or check jonesboroha.com to confirm status. When it's open, have income documentation, Social Security numbers for all household members, and any preference documentation (veteran status, disability verification) ready before you start.

How much does Section 8 pay for rent in Jonesboro?

JHA's payment standard sits between 90% and 110% of HUD's Fair Market Rents for Craighead County. For FY2025, HUD's FMRs run from about $583 for an efficiency to $1,328 for a 4-bedroom. Tenants pay roughly 30% of adjusted monthly income; JHA covers the rest up to the payment standard. Rent above the payment standard comes out of the tenant's pocket on top of the income-based share.

Can a Jonesboro landlord refuse to rent to Section 8 voucher holders?

Yes, in Jonesboro. Arkansas has no statewide source-of-income protection law, and Jonesboro has no local ordinance requiring landlords to take vouchers. A landlord can decline to participate in the HCV program. Federal fair housing law still bars rejecting applicants because of race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, or religion, even when framed as a voucher refusal.

How long does the JHA inspection process take?

From submitting a Request for Tenancy Approval to finishing an initial inspection, expect two to four weeks at most smaller PHAs. If the unit fails, the landlord usually gets 30 days to correct deficiencies before a reinspection. The tenant's voucher search period keeps running during that time. Failed inspections on promising units are one of the most common reasons tenants run out the search clock.

What income is too high for Section 8 in Jonesboro?

To qualify initially, household income has to be at or below 50% of Area Median Income for the Jonesboro Metro Area. For FY2025 that's roughly $23,150 for a single person and $33,050 for a family of four. At least 75% of new vouchers go to households at or below 30% of AMI. Once you're on the program, the voucher isn't terminated unless income tops 80% AMI at recertification.

Can I use a Jonesboro Section 8 voucher to rent anywhere in Arkansas?

After living in JHA's jurisdiction for 12 months (or the initial lease term), you can port your voucher to any city or county in Arkansas, or to another state, under HUD's portability rules. The receiving PHA either absorbs your voucher or bills JHA. Some PHAs have paused absorptions over funding, so contact the destination PHA before moving to confirm they'll take your port-in.

Does JHA offer public housing as well as vouchers?

Yes. JHA runs its own public housing developments alongside the Housing Choice Voucher program. Public housing units are fixed addresses the authority owns, unlike vouchers that tenants use in private rentals. Wait times and eligibility rules differ a little between the two. If you need housing quickly, applying for both at once is usually the right move.

What documents do I need to apply for the JHA waitlist?

Typically: government-issued photo ID for the head of household, Social Security cards or proof of SSNs for all household members, documentation of every income source (pay stubs, Social Security award letters, child support orders), birth certificates for children, and documentation for any preferences claimed (DD-214 for veterans, disability verification, displacement records). Requirements vary, so confirm with JHA before applying.

What happens if the landlord fails to maintain the unit after passing inspection?

JHA runs annual HQS inspections and can do interim inspections based on tenant complaints. If a landlord fails an annual inspection and doesn't correct deficiencies by the deadline, JHA can suspend or terminate HAP payments. The tenant can stay in the unit but JHA stops paying the landlord's share. This is one of the more serious consequences for landlords who let maintenance slide after initial approval.

Is there a separate Section 8 list for disabled or elderly applicants in Jonesboro?

JHA may run preference categories for persons with disabilities and for elderly households inside its main waitlist, moving qualifying applicants higher in the queue. Separately, some JHA-managed or JHA-partnered developments may hold project-based vouchers set aside for elderly or disabled residents. Call JHA to ask whether any PBV units are open, since that can be faster than the HCV waitlist.

How do I request a reasonable accommodation from JHA?

Submit a written reasonable accommodation request to JHA stating that you have a disability and describing the accommodation you need. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, JHA has to provide accommodations that are reasonable and don't impose an undue burden. Examples include extended search periods, alternative communication formats, or accessible unit assignments. JHA cannot require you to disclose your specific diagnosis.

What is the difference between JHA's payment standard and the actual rent charged?

The payment standard is JHA's maximum subsidy ceiling for a given bedroom size. The actual rent is what the landlord charges. If actual rent exceeds the payment standard, the tenant pays the difference on top of the 30%-of-income share. HUD caps total tenant payment at 40% of adjusted monthly income at move-in. JHA also runs a rent reasonableness test comparing the asking rent to similar unassisted Jonesboro rentals before approving any lease.

Sources

1. HUD.gov, Public Housing Agency (PHA) Contact Information: HUD maintains a PHA contact locator covering all local housing authorities including JHA; PHAs operate under Annual Contributions Contracts with HUD
2. Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR Part 982, Subpart E (Waiting List and Admission): PHAs must publish notice of an opening waitlist, maintain local preferences via an Administrative Plan, update applicant information at least annually, and purge non-responsive applicants
3. HUD.gov, Picture of Subsidized Households: HUD's Picture of Subsidized Households database provides aggregate data on voucher allocations and occupancy by PHA
4. HUD.gov, Fair Market Rents Documentation System, FY2025: HUD FY2025 Fair Market Rents for the Jonesboro, AR HUD Metro FMR Area: $583 efficiency, $668 1BR, $862 2BR, $1,131 3BR, $1,328 4BR
5. Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR Part 982, Tenant-Based Assistance: Housing Choice Voucher Program: Governs HCV payment standards (90-110% of FMR), 40% income cap at initial lease-up, portability after 12 months, HAP contract requirements, and tenant informal hearing rights
6. Code of Federal Regulations, 24 CFR 982.401 (Housing Quality Standards): HQS covers 13 performance areas including sanitary facilities, thermal environment, lead paint safety, and smoke detectors; PHAs set reinspection deadlines after a failed inspection
7. HUD.gov, Income Limits Documentation System, FY2025: FY2025 income limits for Jonesboro Metro Area: 30% AMI (1-person $13,900; 4-person $21,150); 50% AMI (1-person $23,150; 4-person $33,050); PHAs must direct 75% of new vouchers to 30% AMI households
8. HUD.gov, Fair Housing and Related Law (Section 504 and ADA): PHAs receiving federal funds must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA, providing reasonable accommodations and accessible communication
9. HUD.gov, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, File a Complaint: Fair housing complaints (discrimination based on race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, disability, religion) are filed with HUD's FHEO office
10. HUD.gov, Small Area Fair Market Rents: Small Area FMR designations apply to specific metros; Jonesboro is not currently a designated Small Area FMR market