The City of Amarillo Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program offers vital rental assistance to very low-income families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.
- CONTACT INFORMATION
- 806-378-3098
- 806-378-9389
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Office Location:
Simms Municipal Building
808 S Buchanan St
First Floor
Amarillo, TX 79101 -
Office Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:30 am – 4:30 pm
check your housing wait list status
Visit Waitlist Check to view your Housing/HUD wait list status.
Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program
Welcome to the City of Amarillo Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, designed to provide crucial assistance to very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled in securing safe and decent housing within the private market.
Administered by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this initiative empowers participants to choose their housing while receiving a housing subsidy.
Learn more about the program, the Wait List process, eligibility criteria, and other essential information through our Frequently Asked Questions below.
Housing Choice & HUD FAQS
What is the Housing Choice Voucher program, and how does it operate?
The City of Amarillo Housing Authority administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program, funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
It assists very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled in affording decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants choose their housing, and a housing subsidy, determined by family income, is paid to the landlord by the Amarillo Housing Authority.
Where is the Amarillo HUD Office?
HUD offices are located within the Community Development Department at the Simms Municipal Building on the first floor. The address to the Simms Municipal Building is 808 S Buchanan Street, Amarillo, Texas.
Where can I get more information about the Housing program?
For further assistance and information, contact the Housing Office at 806-378-3098, Monday – Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
How do I check my Wait List Status for housing?
Applicants can view their housing wait list status online by logging into the waitlistcheck.com website.
How does the Wait List process work for Housing assistance?
Amarillo Housing Authority manages a limited number of Housing Choice Vouchers each year based on its federal allocation. The agency maintains a “Wait List” through a lottery system.
Keep an eye out for a Public Notice when the wait list is preparing to open again. Information will be posted in the local newspaper, and on the City of Amarillo’s social media platforms.
What is the eligibility criteria for the Housing program?
Families must meet specific income limits, ranging from $28,600 for a 1-person family to $53,950 for an 8-person family. Accurate and truthful information is required during the application process; false claims may result in denial and program ineligibility.
What happens when a household is at the top of the Housing Waitlist?
When a household reaches the top of the Housing Waitlist, they receive notification letters and must attend an in-person meeting with a Housing Case Worker. During this meeting, verification of income, childcare, medical expenses, and background checks is conducted. Criminal history may lead to denial. If verifications are completed and the background is clear, the household attends an orientation class and is issued a voucher, which provides 60 days to find a suitable unit and submit a Request for Lease Approval. The Housing Authority then processes the request and schedules a unit inspection.
How would an applicant choose eligible housing?
The applicant chooses housing within Amarillo city limits, meeting minimum standards for decent, safe, and sanitary housing. Compliance is determined by a Housing Authority inspection.
Listings are available at GoSection8.com. Considerations include the unit’s condition, rent, utilities, and location.
What are the lease requirements for the Housing program?
A lease can only be signed after the unit has been inspected and approved. Signing early means the tenant must pay full rent until clearance from the Housing Authority. Both the applicant and the property owner must sign the lease, detailing names, address, term (minimum one year), renewal, appliances, and utilities. The lease can only take effect after the unit passes inspection and all signatures are in place.
How is rental assistance determined, and what are the obligations of participants?
HUD determines a payment standard used to calculate housing assistance. Families pay 30% of their monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. The Housing Authority pays the difference directly to the owner.
Families may not pay more than 40% of their monthly adjusted gross income for rent initially when the unit rent is greater than the payment standard.
Rental assistance adjusts with changes in the family’s income. Report income changes within 10 days.
What does "porting assistance" mean in the context of the HCV program?
“Porting assistance” refers to the process of transferring a participant’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance from one housing authority jurisdiction to another. This allows individuals or families to move to a new location while retaining their housing subsidy.
How can I port my assistance into Amarillo, Texas?
If you are looking to move to Amarillo with your existing HCV assistance, send all necessary documents to portability@amarillo.gov. The Housing Authority will guide you through the porting process and assist with the transition, ensuring a smooth relocation while maintaining your housing support.
How do I become a landlord with HUD?
Please reach out to Community Development staff at 806-378-3098. Staff can explain the process and connect you to the Purchasing Department to become a verified vendor.
How can I become a Community Housing Development Organization?
For detailed information regarding Community Housing Development or CHDO, please visit HUD.gov and search for HOME Program requirements.