Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List Opens November 13
The Saint Paul Public Housing Agency (PHA) will accept applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting list from Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 8 a.m. through Tuesday, November 19, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. From all applications received during this period, 1,200 applicant households will be selected for placement on the waiting list through a random drawing. These applications will be randomly sorted, so there is no advantage to applying on the first day.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, commonly known as the Section 8 Program, assists very low- income families with rental subsidies to landlords in the private rental market. Housing Choice Voucher participants typically pay 30% of their income towards their rent, and the PHA pays the rest, up to a reasonable market rent. The Saint Paul PHA currently assists over 5,000 households through the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Applicants can apply at www.waitlistcheck.com/STPAUL using a computer, tablet or smartphone, including free computers at public libraries. Applications will be accepted 24 hours a day during the opening timeframe.
Ninety-five percent (95%) of the 1,200 households placed on the waiting list, will be households who qualify for the Housing Choice Voucher program’s residency or homeless preference. To qualify for the residency preference, applicant households must have a head of household, co-head or spouse who either lives or works in Saint Paul or has a household member that attends or is enrolled to attend school in Saint Paul. To qualify for the “homeless” preference, households that identify as currently “homeless,” as verified through either a metro area Continuum of Care assessment preceding their application, or a shelter stay preceding their application. The remaining 5% will be awarded to any other applicant.
Once an applicant’s name is drawn and they are found eligible, they will have up to sixty (60) days (180 total days with applicable extensions) to rent a home or apartment in the private rental market, with an owner who agrees to accept the voucher.
The PHA’s waiting list last opened in November 2022, when the PHA received over 6,000 applicants for 2,000 waiting list placements. The PHA is committing 1,200 waiting list placements for this opening with the goal of serving these households within one to two years, resulting in more regular waiting list openings in the future.
More information about the Housing Choice Voucher program can be found at www.stpha.org and www.HousingLink.org.
Questions can be directed to:
Corina Serrano
HCV Programs Director
555 Wabasha Street, Suite 300
Saint Paul, MN 55102
651-292-6129
corina.serrano@stpha.org