Where Louisiana's Income-Based Housing Programs Are Run

Louisiana does not have a single statewide housing authority. Instead, income-based housing programs are managed by local housing authorities in each parish, plus the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) for Orleans Parish. This means the income limits, wait times, and process process vary depending on where you live. You explore to the authority that covers your parish, not to a state office.

The Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA) oversees some rental information and homeownership programs, but they do not run the day-to-day Section 8 or public housing programs. For Section 8 vouchers or public housing units, you contact your local parish housing authority directly. Finding the right office is the first step, because each one maintains its own wait list and sets its own preferences.

If you are unsure which authority covers your area, call 211 Louisiana or visit 211.org and enter your zip code. They can tell you the name and phone number of your local housing authority and whether they are currently taking applications.

Key Takeaways

  • Each Louisiana parish has its own housing authority, so you explore locally, not to the state, and wait times differ by parish.
  • Section 8 vouchers and public housing units are managed by local authorities; call 211 Louisiana to find yours.
  • Income limits for Section 8 in Louisiana range from about $24,000 to $48,000 for a single person, depending on your parish and household size, and are set annually by HUD.
  • Many parishes have closed their Section 8 wait lists because demand is high; 211 can tell you whether your local authority is accepting new applications.
  • Louisiana also offers rental information through LHFA and emergency programs, which have different income thresholds and may be open when Section 8 is not.

Income Limits for Section 8 and Public Housing in Louisiana

Louisiana uses the federal income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) each year. These limits are based on the area median income for your parish. For a single person, the limit typically falls between $24,000 and $28,000 annually, depending on the parish. For a family of four, it is usually between $38,000 and $48,000. These numbers change every April, so the limit you see today may be different next year.

Your income is counted as gross income before taxes. It includes wages, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, unemployment, and any other regular money coming in. Some income is excluded—for example, the first $480 per year of child support, and certain education benefits. If you are over 62 or have a disability, you may may have access to for an income deduction that lowers your countable income.

To find the exact income limit for your household size and parish, contact your local housing authority or visit HUD's income limit lookup tool at huduser.gov. Write down your parish name and household size before you call, because the authority will need both to give you the right number.

How to Find Your Local Housing Authority and Check process Status

Start by identifying your parish. Louisiana has 64 parishes, and each one either has its own housing authority or is served by a regional authority. The easiest way to find yours is to call 211 Louisiana (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and say your parish name and zip code. They will give you the authority's name, phone number, and website.

Once you have the contact information, call and ask three things: whether they are currently taking applications for Section 8 vouchers, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to bring. Many Louisiana authorities have closed their wait lists temporarily because the demand far exceeds available vouchers. If your local authority is closed, ask whether they have a waiting list you can join for when they reopen, or whether they know of other programs in your area that are open.

Some larger authorities, like HANO in New Orleans, accept applications online through their website. Smaller parish authorities may require you to explore in person. A few accept applications by mail. Ask which method your authority uses before you make a trip to their office.

Documents You Will Need to Bring or Submit

All Louisiana housing authorities require proof of identity, proof of income, and proof of residency. Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID). For income, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), a letter from your employer, or a benefits award letter from Social Security or disability. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the last two years and a profit-and-loss statement.

For residency, bring a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement in your name showing your current address. If you are homeless or living with someone else, bring a letter from that person stating you live there, or documentation of shelter stays. You will also need to provide the names and birthdates of everyone in your household, so bring birth certificates or Social Security cards for all household members.

Some authorities ask for a criminal background check authorization form, which you sign at the time of process. A few ask for medical documentation if anyone in your household has a disability that affects housing needs. Call your local authority before you go in to ask whether they need anything beyond the basics listed here.

Wait Times and What Happens After You explore

Wait times for Section 8 vouchers in Louisiana vary widely by parish. In some rural parishes, the wait may be one to three years. In Orleans Parish (New Orleans), HANO's wait list has been closed for years, and the wait for those already on the list is often five to ten years or longer. In Baton Rouge and other urban areas, wait times typically range from two to five years. Call your local authority to ask what the current wait is for your parish.

After you submit your process, the authority will verify your income, household composition, and background. This process usually takes four to eight weeks. You will be contacted by phone or mail with the results. If you are found to meet the income and other requirements, you move onto the wait list in the order your process was received (unless the authority has preferences for certain groups, such as people with disabilities or those experiencing homelessness).

Once your name reaches the top of the list and a voucher becomes available, the authority will contact you to schedule a briefing. At the briefing, you learn how the voucher works, what your share of rent will be, and how to find a landlord. You then have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to locate a rental unit and have it inspected before the voucher is issued.

Other Louisiana Rental information Programs If Section 8 Is Not Available

If your local Section 8 wait list is closed or the wait is too long, Louisiana offers other rental information through the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. The Rental information Program (RAP) provides money to help pay rent for households below 80 percent of area median income. Income limits are higher than Section 8, and the program sometimes has funding available when Section 8 does not. Contact LHFA at (225) 342-1265 or visit lhfa.state.la.us to learn whether RAP is currently open in your parish.

Emergency rental information may also be available through your parish or city if there is a local program. These programs often have higher income limits and shorter wait times than Section 8, but they typically cover only a few months of rent rather than ongoing information. Call your local housing authority or 211 Louisiana to ask whether emergency rental funds are open in your area.

Some nonprofits in Louisiana also offer rental information or housing navigation services. Catholic Charities, Volunteers of America, and local community action agencies in many parishes provide help with rent, deposits, and housing search. Call 211 Louisiana and ask for nonprofit rental information programs in your parish.

Public Housing Units as an Alternative to Section 8 Vouchers

Louisiana also has public housing units—apartments owned and managed directly by housing authorities. Public housing has the same income limits as Section 8, but the process process and wait times are separate. Some people find public housing units faster than Section 8 vouchers, while in other parishes the wait is similar. Your rent in public housing is calculated the same way as with a voucher: you pay 30 percent of your adjusted income, and the authority covers the rest.

To explore for public housing, contact your local authority and ask whether they have units available and whether they are taking applications. Some authorities manage both Section 8 and public housing; others manage only one or the other. If your authority has public housing, ask whether you can explore for both at the same time, because some allow you to be on both wait lists simultaneously.

Frequently Asked Questions

What counts as income for Section 8 in Louisiana?

Gross income from wages, self-employment, Social Security, disability, unemployment, child support, and any other regular money counts. Some income is excluded, such as the first $480 per year of child support and certain education benefits. If you are over 62 or have a disability, you may get an income deduction. Call your local authority to ask how they count your specific income sources.

Can I explore for Section 8 if I have an eviction on my record?

It depends on your local authority's policy. Some authorities deny applicants with recent evictions; others consider the reason for the eviction and how long ago it happened. Call your local authority and describe your situation. They can tell you whether an eviction will disqualify you or affect your place on the wait list.

What if I am homeless right now?

You can still explore for Section 8 and public housing. Bring documentation of your homelessness, such as a shelter letter or proof of stays. Some Louisiana authorities give preference to people experiencing homelessness, which may move you up the wait list. Call 211 Louisiana to ask about both housing programs and emergency shelter in your area.

Do I have to pay an process fee?

No. Louisiana housing authorities do not charge process fees for Section 8 or public housing. If someone asks you for money to explore, it is a scam. explore directly through your local authority or through their website.

What if my local authority's wait list is closed?

Ask whether you can join a waiting list for when they reopen, or ask about other programs in your area. Call 211 Louisiana to find out whether emergency rental information, the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency's Rental information Program, or nonprofit programs are open in your parish.