Section 8 Waiting Lists / District of Columbia

Section 8 Waiting List in District of Columbia: Open Lists & Status (2026)

In District of Columbia, none of the 1 housing authority we track says it is accepting Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher applications as of October 23, 2026.

One list is closed by the authority's own statement: DCHA.

District of Columbia has other housing authorities we do not track; HUD's PHA contact directory lists all of them. Each row below quotes the authority and links the page it came from.

Status as published by the authority on October 23, 2026; confirm with the authority before applying. We do not estimate wait times or predict openings.

Open

The authority says it is accepting Housing Choice Voucher applications. Read the wording — some openings are limited to one preference group.

Open (ongoing lottery)

The authority accepts pre-applications at any time and draws applicants at random when vouchers are available. Applying puts you in the pool, not in a queue.

Closed

The authority says its Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is closed to new applicants.

Not stated

The authority's page did not state a status, or could not be read, on the date shown. Confirm with the authority before relying on anything.

District of Columbia housing authorities we track

Status is the authority's own wording on the date shown. Each name links to its payment standards page on this site; each source links to the authority's page.

Housing authorityHCV waiting listWhat the authority saysCheckedSource
District of Columbia Housing Authority Closed Our Waitlist is Closed. The waitlists for Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) are currently closed to new applicants.
  • HCV: closed
  • Public housing: closed

Existing applicants can check status through RentCafe.

October 23, 2026 DCHA – Waitlist

How to apply through each District of Columbia authority

Other District of Columbia housing authorities: HUD PHA contact directory (choose District of Columbia). An authority must publish a notice before it opens its list (24 CFR 982.206). See also how to check your status and the waiting list guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Section 8 waiting list open in District of Columbia?

Not at the 1 District of Columbia authority we track, as of October 23, 2026. DCHA: "Our Waitlist is Closed. The waitlists for Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) are currently closed to new applicants." District of Columbia has other authorities we do not track — check HUD's PHA directory.

How do I apply for Section 8 in District of Columbia?

Apply directly to a housing authority whose list is open — each one takes its own applications, and this page tracks 1 of the District of Columbia authorities. Each authority above links its own application or portal page. Under 24 CFR 982.206 an authority must give public notice before it opens its list, so sign up for its announcements. You can apply to more than one authority, including a state agency voucher program where District of Columbia has one (see HUD's PHA directory).

How do I check my Section 8 status in District of Columbia?

Use the applicant portal or phone number of the District of Columbia authority you applied to; the links in the table above go to each one's own page. Authorities do not share lists, so check each one separately, and report any change of address or phone in writing — applicants who miss an update letter are removed.

Does District of Columbia use a Section 8 lottery?

None of the tracked District of Columbia authorities describe a lottery on the pages we read. Many authorities nationwide form their waiting list by random drawing from pre-applications, so read the opening notice when a list opens.

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District of Columbia on this site: rent limits · income limits