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Glossary

Waiting list (housing)

A list of people waiting for affordable housing to become available, usually managed by housing authorities.

A waiting list is a queue of applicants waiting for housing to open up. When you apply for public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8), your name goes on a waiting list. You wait until housing becomes available and the housing authority calls you.

Waiting times can be long—sometimes months or years, depending on where you live and how much housing is available. Some housing authorities may close their waiting lists when they get too long.

While you're on a waiting list, keep your contact information updated with the housing authority. If they can't reach you when housing opens up, they may move to the next person on the list.

Applying for housing assistance is free. Only the housing authority decides if you qualify based on your income and other requirements.

Programs where this matters

LIHEAPHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesLIHEAP helps households with low income pay heating and cooling bills, and may help in an energy crisis such as a shut-off notice.MedicaidCenters for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesMedicaid is free or low-cost health coverage run by each state with federal funding, for children, adults, pregnant people, older adults and people with disabilities.SNAPUSDA Food and Nutrition ServiceSNAP gives monthly benefits on an EBT card to help households with low income buy food.Section 8US Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentHousing Choice Vouchers, often called Section 8, help families with low income pay rent for a home they find in the private market.TANFHHS Administration for Children and FamiliesTANF gives cash help and support services to families with children who have low income. Each state runs its own program.