How to Get Low Income Housing with No Waiting List (Even If You’ve Been Told to Wait)

Finding low income housing with no waiting list can feel impossible, especially when long wait times stand between you and a safe home. But those lists aren’t always as rigid as they seem.

Many housing programs use preference points to prioritize certain applicants, which can move you up the list much faster than expected. If you’re struggling to find housing right now, don’t lose hope—there may be ways to secure a home sooner than you think.

How to Get Housing Faster

I know it sounds hopeless, because I’ve been there too. In 2007, my family was just two weeks away from homelessness. We had no idea what to do. Every housing program we called told us the same thing: they had long waiting lists. Section 8 had a five-year wait, and most affordable housing options had lists that stretched over a year. We were desperate to find low income housing with no waiting list, because otherwise we were going to be living in our car.

Then, something unexpected happened. One of the properties with a one-year waiting list told us we could move in almost immediately. Why? Because we had enough preference points.

Because my husband was a veteran and we had a one-year-old child, our family was given priority. We went from facing homelessness to having a safe, affordable home in just two weeks, even though we had been told the wait list was over a year long.

That experience taught me an important lesson: Waiting lists are not always what they seem. If you qualify for certain priority categories, you might move to the top of the list.

Many affordable housing programs prioritize certain applicants, helping them move up the list more quickly. You may qualify for preference points if you:

• Are a veteran or part of a veteran household
• Have young children
• Are homeless or at risk of homelessness
• Have a disability or serious medical condition
• Are a survivor of domestic violence
• Are an elderly applicant (62+)

Not every housing authority uses preference points to determine the order of their waitlists, but many do. You’ll need to ask your local Public Housing Authority (PHA) to see if this can help you. If so, you may be able to move into low income housing with no waiting list, even if there is a waiting list for other applicants.

Remember, it never hurts to mention any qualifying factors when applying for housing. Just be prepared to provide documentation (e.g., proof of veteran status, medical records, or eviction notices) to back up any preferences you’re claiming.

Where to Find Low Income Housing with No Waiting List

There are some housing options that may have little to no wait—especially if you know where to look. Don’t assume that Section 8 and your Public Housing Authority are your only options. Everyone goes there first, so of course it’s going to be busy.

• Privately-Owned Housing: Look for privately-owned subsidized housing instead. Certain landlords may receive subsidize to offer income-based rent to low income tenants, and these properties are more likely to have open units right now. You can search for HUD-subsidized apartments using the HUD’s apartment search tool.
• Check for LIHTC Apartments: LIHTC properties set aside apartments for low-income renters, but they don’t always require Section 8 or have long waitlists. Contact LIHTC properties near you and ask if they have immediate openings.
• Check Smaller PHAs: In big cities, waitlists can be years long, but smaller towns and rural areas often have shorter waits. It’s rare but some may even have immediate openings. Whenever possible, expand your search to nearby counties or rural areas.
• Emergency & Transitional Housing: If you need immediate housing, emergency and transitional programs can help while you wait for permanent housing. Look for “Rapid Rehousing Programs” and homeless shelters in your area. Some of my friends have stayed in shelters that basically provided small low income apartments that they were able to move into without a waiting list.
• Keep Tabs on the News: Areas with high rates of homelessness or housing instability often roll out new programs that can help you. These can include guaranteed income programs, new low income properties and more. When a new low income property becomes available, it often fills up very quickly so you have to keep tabs on your local news outlets and stay connected to your local nonprofits so that you don’t miss any opportunities.

Other Housing Programs

There are other programs that may be able to assist you as well. These are easier to find than low income housing with no waiting list, so if you qualify, you should definitely look into these:

• Veterans: HUD-VASH combines HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance with VA case management and clinical services to help veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing. Contact your local VA medical center or visit VA.gov for more details.
• Rapid Rehousing: Rapid Rehousing (RRH) programs help individuals and families quickly move into permanent housing by offering short-term rental assistance and supportive services. You may qualify if you are already homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. Contact a local Continuum of Care (CoC) program through HUD’s CoC list or call 211 to find resources near you.
• Domestic Violence Shelters: If you are escaping domestic violence, you may qualify for emergency or transitional housing. These programs provide safe shelter and help survivors find permanent housing. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or visit TheHotline.org for local housing resources.
• Section 202 Housing: Section 202 provides affordable housing with supportive services for low-income seniors (age 62+). Use HUD’s Section 202 page for more details.
• Local & State Programs: Many states and municipalities offer their own housing assistance programs tailored to the needs of their residents. These can include rental assistance, affordable housing developments, and first-time homebuyer programs. Contact your state’s housing finance agency or local housing department to explore available programs.

Relief Recap

The search for low income housing can be very difficult and it can even feel impossible at times. But even if you’ve been told there’s a long waiting list, don’t give up hope. You might qualify for preference points, or there may be housing options with little to no wait.

Start by checking your priority status, applying to multiple programs, and calling properties directly. You never know—you could find a home much faster than you expected, just like my family did.