What income-based housing programs exist in Arkansas
Arkansas has several programs that help people with lower incomes pay for housing. The main ones are Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) apartments. Section 8 lets you rent from a private landlord while the program pays part of your rent. Public housing means you rent directly from a housing authority in apartments they own. LIHTC apartments are private buildings where owners have agreed to keep rents low in exchange for tax benefits.
Arkansas also runs Emergency Rental information for people facing eviction or unable to pay current rent, and Rapid Rehousing programs for people experiencing homelessness. The state does not have its own housing voucher program — all Section 8 vouchers come from the federal government and are distributed through local housing authorities.
Which program might work for you depends on your income level, family size, whether you are currently homeless, and which city or county you live in. Each has different waiting lists and different rules about how much rent you pay.
Key Takeaways
- Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers are available through local housing authorities in Arkansas counties, but most have waiting lists that can be years long.
- Public housing in Arkansas is managed by individual housing authorities in cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Hot Springs, and each has its own waiting list and income limits.
- LIHTC apartments are scattered throughout the state and do not have waiting lists — you can contact them directly to rent if you meet their income limits.
- Emergency Rental information is available through your county or city if you are behind on rent or facing eviction, and funds change throughout the year.
- You can search for all three housing types — Section 8, public housing, and LIHTC — through the HUD website or by calling your local housing authority.
Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Arkansas
Section 8 vouchers are issued by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and distributed through local housing authorities. In Arkansas, every county has at least one housing authority that manages Section 8. When you have a voucher, you can rent from any private landlord who agrees to accept it, and the program pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the rest.
To get a Section 8 voucher, you must be on a waiting list. Most Arkansas housing authorities have closed their waiting lists because demand is much higher than the number of vouchers available. Some authorities open their lists for short periods — usually a few weeks — and then close them again. You can call your local housing authority to ask whether their list is open and, if it is closed, whether they have a waitlist to get on the waiting list.
Income limits for Section 8 vary by family size and by county. In most Arkansas counties, a single person earning more than about $24,000 per year will not meet the income limit, though this changes yearly. A family of four earning more than about $38,000 per year typically will not meet the limit. Your local housing authority can tell you the exact limit for your family size and county.
Once you receive a voucher, you have a set amount of time — usually 60 to 120 days — to find a landlord. The landlord must pass a housing inspection, and you must sign a lease. The program then pays the landlord directly each month.
Public housing managed by Arkansas housing authorities
Public housing means apartments owned and managed directly by a housing authority. Arkansas has public housing in most major cities, including Little Rock, Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Pine Bluff, Texarkana, and Jonesboro. Each housing authority manages its own buildings and its own waiting list. You cannot explore to all of them at once — you must explore to the specific authority in the city or county where you want to live.
Public housing has the same income limits as Section 8, and rent is calculated the same way: you pay 30 percent of your income, and the housing authority covers the rest. The difference is that you are renting from the authority itself, not from a private landlord, so the authority handles maintenance and repairs.
Waiting lists for public housing vary widely. Some authorities have short lists and can house people within months. Others have waiting lists of several years. Call the housing authority in your area to ask about their current waiting list length and whether they are taking new applications. Many authorities allow you to explore online through their website.
Public housing buildings vary in condition and location. Some are well-maintained and in good neighborhoods. Others are older or in areas with fewer services. You can usually tour available units before you move in.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit apartments
LIHTC apartments are private buildings where the owner has received a tax credit from the state in exchange for keeping rents low for a set number of years. These apartments are scattered throughout Arkansas in cities and towns of all sizes. Unlike Section 8 and public housing, LIHTC apartments do not have waiting lists. You contact the building directly, and if you meet their income limit and have acceptable credit and rental history, you can rent.
Income limits for LIHTC apartments are usually 50 or 60 percent of the area median income. This is higher than Section 8 limits in many cases, so you may be able to rent an LIHTC apartment even if you do not meet Section 8 income limits. However, you pay the full rent yourself — the program does not pay the landlord. The rent is straightforward lower than market rate because of the tax credit.
To find LIHTC apartments in Arkansas, use the HUD website's Housing Search tool at www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/ph/phr/about/faq. Filter by state and income level. You can also call your local housing authority and ask for a list of LIHTC properties in your area.
Once you find a building you are interested in, call the leasing office directly. They will tell you the current rent, the income limit, and what documents you need to explore. Most require proof of income, a photo ID, and a rental history check.
Emergency Rental information when you are behind on rent
If you are behind on rent or facing eviction, Arkansas offers Emergency Rental information through local programs. These programs pay your landlord directly to cover rent you already owe. You do not receive the money yourself.
To find your local program, call 211 (a free helpline) or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. The helpline will tell you which program serves your area and how to contact them. You can also call your city or county government office and ask for the Emergency Rental information program.
When you contact the program, you will need to provide proof of your lease, proof that you are behind on rent (a notice from your landlord or court documents), and proof of income. The program will contact your landlord to verify the amount owed. Processing usually takes two to six weeks.
Emergency Rental information programs have limited funding and sometimes run out of money. If the program tells you the fund is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. Many programs reopen several times per year as new funding arrives.
How to contact housing authorities in major Arkansas cities
The easiest way to reach your local housing authority is to search online for "[your city] housing authority" or call 211. Below are the housing authorities in Arkansas's largest cities. Each manages Section 8 vouchers, public housing, or both.
| City | Housing Authority |
|---|---|
| Little Rock | Little Rock Housing Authority |
| Fayetteville | Fayetteville Housing Authority |
| Hot Springs | Hot Springs Housing Authority |
| Pine Bluff | Pine Bluff Housing Authority |
| Jonesboro | Jonesboro Housing Authority |
| Texarkana | Texarkana Housing Authority |
If you live in a smaller town or rural area, your county may have a housing authority instead of a city one. Call your county government office or 211 to find out which authority serves your area.
Income limits and rent calculations
Income limits for Section 8 and public housing in Arkansas are set by HUD each year based on the area median income. They vary by county and by family size. For 2024, limits in most Arkansas counties are roughly $24,000 for a single person, $27,000 for a family of two, $34,000 for a family of three, and $38,000 for a family of four. These numbers change yearly, and some counties have higher or lower limits.
When you are approved for Section 8 or public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly income. If you earn $1,500 per month, you pay $450 in rent. The program covers the rest. If your income drops, your rent payment drops too. If your income rises above the limit, you may lose your voucher or housing.
LIHTC apartments use different income limits, usually 50 or 60 percent of area median income, which is higher than Section 8. You pay the full rent, which is set by the building owner. Your income must be below the limit to rent, but once you are in, your rent does not change if your income rises.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Arkansas?
Waiting list length varies by county and housing authority. Some authorities have lists of one to two years. Others have lists of five or more years. Many have closed their lists entirely. Call your local housing authority to ask about their current list length and whether they are taking new applications.
Can I explore for Section 8 in multiple counties at once?
Yes. Each housing authority has its own waiting list, and you can explore to more than one. However, once you receive a voucher from one authority, you must use it or turn it down — you cannot hold vouchers from multiple authorities at the same time.
What happens if I earn too much money while I have a Section 8 voucher?
If your income rises above the limit, you typically have a grace period of one year where you can keep your voucher while paying a higher rent. After that, you may lose the voucher. Your housing authority can explain their specific rules.
Do I need a credit score to rent an LIHTC apartment?
Most LIHTC apartments do a credit and rental history check, but they are often more flexible than private landlords. If you have poor credit or an eviction history, call the building and ask whether they will work with you. Some buildings have programs for people with difficult histories.
What if I am homeless — are there programs besides Emergency Rental information?
Yes. Arkansas has Rapid Rehousing programs that help people experiencing homelessness move into housing quickly. Call 211 or your local homeless services agency to learn about programs in your area. You may also be prioritized for Section 8 vouchers if you are currently homeless.