The Houston Housing Authority has announced an extension of the deadline for individuals on the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list to secure their positions until 5 p.m. on June 30. This extension aims to provide more time for applicants to update their information on a list that currently includes 18,300 names, many of which are outdated due to its decade-long tenure. Meanwhile, the deadline for Project-Based Vouchers, which pertain to specific apartment complexes with affordable housing, remains set for May 16.
Kenny Coles, Senior Vice President of Voucher Operations, highlighted the need to refresh the waiting list to address inaccuracies such as outdated contact information and changes in applicants’ life circumstances. With the overwhelming demand for affordable housing outstripping supply, the authority emphasizes efficiency in reaching eligible applicants. As part of this initiative, the authority transitions to a new platform, RentCafe, necessitating users to create accounts to manage their applications.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development mandates regular updates and clearance of obsolete applications, a process now facilitated online. Applicants are encouraged to register at HousingforHouston.com to maintain or establish their spot on the list. Concerns persist among housing advocates about the risk of purging eligible applicants due to technological or communication barriers, prompting the authority to offer in-person assistance at its Fountain View Drive headquarters.
Despite these efforts, beneficiaries must wait for voucher availability, as the authority has faced funding freezes for over a year. Although the budget shortfall was lifted in January, only a few vouchers have been distributed to those previously qualified but not paired with housing. Future voucher distributions remain contingent on federal policy decisions regarding funding. Meanwhile, families on the project-based voucher list continue to receive placements as units become available.
