What housing programs are actually available in Wyoming

Wyoming has fewer housing subsidy programs than most states, but the ones that exist are real options. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers operate in most Wyoming counties through local public housing authorities. Public housing — apartments owned and operated by housing authorities — exists in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, and Sheridan. Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties are scattered across the state and rent below market rate. Emergency rental information, which was expanded during the pandemic, has largely wound down but may reopen depending on state funding.

The real constraint in Wyoming is geography and waiting lists. Cheyenne and Casper have the most housing stock and the most programs. Rural counties have almost nothing — if you live in a county without a housing authority, Section 8 is not available to you, period. Waiting lists for Section 8 in the larger cities can be years long and are often closed to new applicants.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers are available only in counties with a public housing authority, and most of those authorities have closed waiting lists.
  • Public housing apartments exist in five Wyoming cities: Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, and Sheridan, and typically have shorter waiting lists than Section 8.
  • LIHTC properties rent below market but are not subsidized — you pay the full rent yourself, though it is lower than comparable unsubsidized units.
  • Rural Wyoming has almost no subsidized housing; if your county has no housing authority, your main option is to move or seek private landlord information.
  • Wyoming's housing authorities are separate entities; you must contact the one in your county directly — there is no statewide process.

Section 8 in Wyoming: where it exists and where it does not

Wyoming has public housing authorities in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, Sheridan, Gillette, and a few smaller towns. Each one runs its own Section 8 program independently. If your county has an authority, you can explore for a voucher. If it does not, Section 8 is not an option for you — there is no statewide fallback or waiting list.

The Cheyenne Housing Authority and Casper Housing Authority manage the largest programs and the longest waiting lists. Both have closed their waiting lists to new applicants in recent years. Laramie and Rock Springs have smaller programs with shorter waits, but both still have closed lists as of the last public update. Before you spend time on an process, call the housing authority in your county and ask whether the waiting list is open. If it is closed, ask when it typically reopens — some authorities reopen annually, others do not.

When a waiting list does open, the process itself is straightforward: proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a list of references. Processing takes four to eight weeks. Once you receive a voucher, you have a set time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord who will accept it. Not all landlords do, so you may need to search beyond your first choice of neighborhood.

Public housing apartments: the alternative when Section 8 is closed

Public housing is owned and operated by the housing authority itself. You pay 30 percent of your income as rent, and the authority covers the rest. The apartments are older and maintenance varies, but the rent is genuinely affordable and there is no voucher search — you move into an authority-owned unit.

Cheyenne Housing Authority runs the largest public housing portfolio in the state, with several hundred units. Casper, Laramie, Rock Springs, and Sheridan each have smaller portfolios. Waiting lists for public housing are usually shorter than for Section 8 vouchers, and some authorities keep their public housing lists open even when Section 8 is closed. Call the authority in your county and ask about both programs — public housing may be your faster route.

The process process is similar to Section 8: income verification, household composition, and references. Once approved, you are placed on a waiting list by priority (family size, income level, and sometimes date of process). When a unit becomes available, the authority contacts you. You then have a set time to move in or you lose your spot.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties and market-rate alternatives

LIHTC properties are apartments and townhouses built with federal tax credits. Developers agree to rent them below market rate for 30 years. You pay the full rent yourself — there is no subsidy — but the rent is lower than comparable unsubsidized units in the same area. LIHTC properties exist in Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and a few other towns, but the inventory is small.

To find LIHTC properties, contact the Wyoming Community Development Authority (WCDA) or search the National Housing Preservation Database online. You can also call the housing authority in your county and ask for a list of LIHTC properties in your area. There is no waiting list or income verification for LIHTC — you explore to the property owner directly, like any rental. The catch is that rents, while below market, are still higher than Section 8 or public housing.

If you do not meet income limits for subsidized housing or if waiting lists are closed, market-rate rentals with private landlords are your only option. Wyoming's rental market is tight in Cheyenne and Casper but looser in smaller towns and rural areas. Some landlords offer month-to-month leases or reduced deposits for low-income tenants, though this varies widely. There is no statewide resource for this — you will need to search local listings and call landlords directly.

Income limits and rent calculations in Wyoming

Section 8 and public housing both use Area Median Income (AMI) to set income limits. In Wyoming, the limits vary by county. Cheyenne (Laramie County) has different limits than Casper (Natrona County), which differ from rural counties. A household of four might have an income limit of $52,000 in one county and $48,000 in another.

For Section 8, you pay 30 percent of your gross income as rent, and the voucher covers the difference up to the local payment standard. The payment standard also varies by county and bedroom size. A two-bedroom voucher in Cheyenne might have a payment standard of $1,100, while the same voucher in a rural county might be $850.

For public housing, you also pay 30 percent of income, but there is no payment standard — you pay 30 percent and that is your rent, regardless of the unit's actual cost. This makes public housing the cheapest option if you have very low income, because your rent scales directly to what you earn.

To find the exact income limits and payment standards for your county, contact the housing authority directly or visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website and search for your county's limits.

What to do if you live in a rural county with no housing authority

If your county has no public housing authority, Section 8 and public housing are not available to you. Your options narrow to LIHTC properties (if any exist nearby), private market rentals, or moving to a county that has a housing authority.

Before you assume your county has no authority, call your county commissioners office or your city/town clerk and ask. Some very small authorities exist in towns you might not expect. If there truly is no authority, ask whether your county participates in a regional authority or whether you can transfer to a neighboring county's program. A few Wyoming counties have informal arrangements, though this is rare.

If relocation is possible, Cheyenne and Casper have the most housing stock and the most programs, though both have long waiting lists. Laramie is smaller but has a university presence and more rental options. Rock Springs and Sheridan are also viable if you can move there.

Emergency rental information and other temporary help

Wyoming received federal emergency rental information funding during the pandemic. Most of that money has been spent, and the programs have closed. However, some counties may still have small amounts available, and new funding could be allocated depending on state budget decisions.

To find out whether emergency rental information is currently available in your county, contact your county commissioners office or call 211 (a statewide referral line). If funds are available, they typically cover back rent and utilities, and the program pays the landlord directly. Processing is faster than Section 8 — usually two to four weeks — but the money is temporary and one-time.

Other temporary help may be available through nonprofits. Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army, and local community action agencies sometimes have small emergency funds for rent, utilities, or deposits. These are not may provide and vary by location, but it is worth calling your local office to ask.

How to contact Wyoming housing authorities

Each housing authority operates independently. You must contact the one in your county directly. Here are the main ones:

  • Cheyenne Housing Authority: (307) 637-6000
  • Casper Housing Authority: (307) 235-2700
  • Laramie Housing Authority: (307) 721-8844
  • Rock Springs Housing Authority: (307) 362-6212
  • Sheridan Housing Authority: (307) 674-8421

For smaller towns or rural counties, contact your county commissioners office and ask for the housing authority contact information. You can also search HUD's list of public housing authorities online by state and county.

When you call, ask three things: Is the Section 8 waiting list open? Is the public housing waiting list open? And if both are closed, when do they typically reopen? If both are closed and you need housing now, ask about LIHTC properties or emergency information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 in multiple counties at once?

No. Each housing authority maintains its own waiting list and process. You can explore to more than one authority, but you must submit a separate process to each one. If you are approved by two authorities, you must choose one and decline the other.

What if I am homeless right now?

Contact your county commissioners office or call 211 and ask about emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs. Wyoming has limited homeless services outside Cheyenne and Casper, but nonprofits and county offices can direct you to what exists in your area. Emergency rental information, if available, may also prioritize people experiencing homelessness.

Do I have to live in Wyoming to explore for housing information?

Most housing authorities require you to be a Wyoming resident or to have a job offer in the state. Some require you to have lived in the county for a minimum time (often 30 to 90 days). Call the authority in your target county and ask about residency requirements before you move.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes up?

For Section 8, your rent will increase as your income increases, but you will not lose your voucher when ready. Most programs allow you to keep the voucher for a set period (often one to two years) even if your income exceeds the limit. After that, you must leave the program. For public housing, the same rule applies — your rent goes up with your income, but you have time to transition out.

Are there programs for people with disabilities?

Section 8 and public housing do not have separate disability programs, but disability does not disqualify you. Some housing authorities prioritize people with disabilities on waiting lists. Ask the authority in your county whether they have a preference for disabled applicants. The Cheyenne and Casper authorities may also have information about accessible units.