Across the country, Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) waitlists have shifted to lottery systems and short opening windows. In 2024–2025, several big cities reopened briefly—then closed again—leaving applicants asking: Is my city open? Below you’ll find current status by major city, how lotteries work, and a quick plan to improve your chances. New York City Government+1
What changed in 2025 (and why it matters)
- Short windows, long gaps: Cities now open for days or weeks, then close for months/years while they build or work a list. New York City Government+1
- Lotteries instead of first-come: Most big PHAs use a computer-randomized lottery to pick a set number of applicants for the list (e.g., HACLA up to 30,000; NYC created a new list from a one-week window). hacla.org+1
- Apply widely: HUD encourages applying to multiple PHAs; residency rules may require you to start in the area for the first 12 months, but you can be on multiple lists. HUD
Bottom line: In 2025, speed + breadth beats camping out. Use alerts and apply to every open list you can (HCV and PBV), not just your city. Affordable Housing Hub
Lottery vs. first-come: how today’s waitlists work
- Allowed by HUD: PHAs set local policies for opening, closing, and selection, including randomized lotteries that meet fair housing rules. See HUD’s HCV Guidebook and 24 CFR 982. HUD+1
- Preferences still apply: Even with a lottery, PHAs can prioritize groups (e.g., homeless households, veterans, local workers, disability), so two lottery numbers with different preferences may move at different speeds. eCFR
- Communication: Expect status portals and email/text only; in-person lines are largely gone. (Examples below.)
Bottom line: Randomization spreads opportunity; preferences shape the order once you’re on a list.
City-by-city: major 2025 waitlist changes & where to check
| City/Agency | HCV status (2024–2025) | How selection works | Where to check/apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York City – NYCHA | Reopened June 3–9, 2024; now closed. New waitlist established Aug 2024. | Lottery from a one-week window. | NYCHA Section 8 Applicants page. New York City Government |
| Los Angeles – HACLA | Application window closed; selected up to 30,000 via lottery; over 500k applied. | Computer-randomized lottery. | HACLA waitlist news/lottery updates. hacla.org+1 |
| Chicago – CHA | Portal active; many public housing/PBV lists open; HCV selection periodic. | Mix of lottery & preferences by list. | CHA Apply Online portal & City info. applyonline.thecha.org+1 |
| Houston – HHA | Added 30,000 families to HCV waitlist; status checks online. | HCV waitlist pulls as funding turns over. | HHA HCV Wait List Status page. housingforhouston.com |
| Philadelphia – PHA | HCV lottery window closed (Jan 23–Feb 5, 2023) after 12-year pause; now closed. | Lottery; 10,000 selected for list. | PHA HCV page & FAQ. Philadelphia Housing Authority+1 |
| San Francisco – SFHA | May 7–21, 2025 lotteries for RAD/PBV & Public Housing (not HCV). | Lottery by program. | SFHA waitlist info & lottery lookup. sfha.org+1 |
| Phoenix – City of Phoenix | HCV waitlist closed; updates via portal. | Lottery used when open. | City of Phoenix HCV pages/portal. Phoenix+1 |
| Dallas – DHA | Preliminary apps accepted; retention up to 18 months before reapply. | Periodic selection; program-specific. | DHA HCV “How to Apply” page. dhantx.com |
| San Diego – SDHC / County | Portal maintained; county system transition Sept 17–Oct 5, 2025 (no new apps during transition). | Selection periodic. | SDHC waitlist portal; County notice. SDHC+1 |
| Seattle/King County – KCHA | HCV waitlist closed; not pulling lottery applicants in 2025. | Lottery (prior); paused pulls. | KCHA lottery/waitlist pages. kcha.org+1 |
“Open/closed” refers to HCV unless noted; cities often run separate PBV/Public Housing lotteries on different timelines.
Bottom line: Most big-city HCV lists are closed as of Sept 2025, but PBV/Public Housing opportunities open more often—don’t ignore them.
HCV vs. PBV vs. Public Housing: don’t mix them up
- HCV (Section 8 tenant-based): You choose any qualifying unit on the private market; most city updates above refer to this. HUD
- PBV/RAD (project-based): The voucher is attached to a building/unit; you rent there to use assistance (SF’s 2025 lottery was PBV/RAD + Public Housing, not HCV). sfha.org
- Public Housing: You rent in PHA-owned housing; many cities have separate public housing waitlists that open/close independently.
Bottom line: Apply to all three where eligible; opportunities arrive on different calendars.
Local preferences: who moves faster (after you’re on the list)
PHAs may set preferences—for example, residency/work in jurisdiction, homelessness, veteran status, disability, DV survivors, or involuntary displacement—consistent with fair housing. Even with a lottery, preferences can shape selection after numbers are drawn. Check your PHA’s Admin Plan or waiting list notice. eCFR
Bottom line: If you qualify for a preference, document it—it can significantly reduce wait time.
Apply-everywhere strategy (what HUD says & how to do it)
- Apply to multiple PHAs: HUD explicitly notes you may apply to multiple waitlists; you don’t have to live there to apply (some PHAs require you to live locally the first 12 months once assisted). HUD
- Track status online: Most agencies provide waitlist portals (e.g., NYCHA, HHA, CHA, Phoenix, SDHC). SDHC+4New York City Government+4housingforhouston.com+4
- Use curated trackers to find newly open lists and opening soon alerts. Affordable Housing Online+1
Bottom line: Casting a wide net is the single best way to beat long waits.
Checklist — Get Section 8 application-ready in 10 minutes
- Create accounts on your city PHA’s portal and at least 3 neighboring PHAs (county/suburbs). Save logins in a password manager. (See city links above.)
- Gather docs: Photo ID, SSNs, birth certificates, income (pay stubs/benefit letters), asset info, proof of residence/work, disability/homeless verification if claiming preferences. (HUD Guidebook lists typical proof sets.) HUD
- Set alerts: Sign up for PHA email/text and follow official news pages (e.g., HACLA news, SFHA news). hacla.org+1
- Apply to PBV/Public Housing lists too (often open when HCV is closed). San Francisco 2025 is a model PBV/Public Housing lottery. sfha.org
- Update contact info within 10 days of changes; many PHAs purge inactive/bounced applicants. (Phoenix portal instructions show typical rules.) My Housing
- Check status monthly via your portal; no duplicate submissions for the same list (can disqualify you). (Common rule across PHA FAQs.) Philadelphia Housing Authority
- Know the difference: When you see “waitlist open,” confirm which program (HCV vs. PBV/Public Housing).
Bottom line: A little prep now saves you from missing a short opening window later.
Sources (high-authority & official)
- HUD HCV Guidebook & CFR: lottery/selection, notices, preferences. Source: HUD Guidebook & 24 CFR 982, last checked Sept 24, 2025. HUD+1
- HUD PIH waitlist policy reminders (2024–2025): Source: PIH 2024-42; PIH 2025-08, last checked Sept 24, 2025. HUD+1
- City pages:
- NYCHA Section 8 Applicants (June 2024 window; now closed). Source: NYCHA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. New York City Government
- HACLA lottery (cap 30k; half-million+ applied). Source: HACLA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. hacla.org+1
- CHA apply portal & city info. Source: CHA/City of Chicago, last checked Sept 24, 2025. applyonline.thecha.org+1
- Houston HHA HCV waitlist status. Source: HHA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. housingforhouston.com
- Philadelphia PHA HCV page/FAQ; Axios coverage. Source: PHA/Axios, last checked Sept 24, 2025. Philadelphia Housing Authority+2Philadelphia Housing Authority+2
- San Francisco (SFHA) 2025 PBV/Public Housing lotteries. Source: SFHA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. sfha.org+1
- Phoenix HCV status & portal. Source: City of Phoenix, last checked Sept 24, 2025. Phoenix+1
- Dallas (DHA) HCV apply/how-to. Source: DHA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. dhantx.com
- San Diego (SDHC / County) portals & county system notice. Source: SDHC/County of San Diego, last checked Sept 24, 2025. SDHC+1
- Seattle/King County (KCHA) lottery/waitlist closure. Source: KCHA, last checked Sept 24, 2025. kcha.org
- Trackers (to find openings): AffordableHousingOnline; Affordable Housing Hub. Source: AHO/AHH, last checked Sept 24, 2025. Affordable Housing Online+1
Disclaimer: This guide is informational, not legal advice. Waitlist policies change quickly; always confirm with your local PHA via the official links above.
Key takeaways
- Lotteries dominate in 2025. Big cities (NYC, LA, Philly) run short windows and randomized selection to build lists. New York City Government+2hacla.org+2
- Most HCV lists are closed right now, but PBV/Public Housing lotteries open more often—apply to all programs you qualify for. sfha.org
- Apply to multiple PHAs—HUD allows it—and track portals for openings and status changes. HUD
- Preferences matter. Document homelessness, veteran status, disability, or local residency/work if applicable. eCFR
- No duplicates on the same list. Multiple submissions can disqualify you; but multiple PHAs is fine. Philadelphia Housing Authority
Next steps
- Bookmark your city’s page and two nearby PHAs; turn on email/text alerts.
- Assemble documents now; verify preference proofs.
- Apply to PBV/Public Housing while waiting on HCV.
FAQs
1) Is the Section 8 waitlist open in NYC right now?
No. NYC (NYCHA) reopened for one week in June 2024 and is now closed; a new lottery-based waitlist was established. New York City Government
2) How did Los Angeles choose applicants for Section 8?
HACLA used a computer-randomized lottery, selecting up to 30,000 applicants; the application period is closed. hacla.org
3) Houston added 30,000 names—what does that mean for me?
HHA expanded its HCV list; you can check status online while they pull names as funding and turnover allow. housingforhouston.com
4) Philadelphia reopened after 12 years—can I still apply?
Not now. PHA’s Jan–Feb 2023 window is closed; selection was lottery-based. Watch PHA’s site for future openings. Philadelphia Housing Authority
5) What’s the difference between HCV, PBV, and Public Housing lists?
HCV lets you rent on the private market; PBV ties assistance to a specific building; Public Housing is PHA-owned—each has separate waitlists and calendars. sfha.org
6) Do I get better odds if I apply first?
Not in a lottery system. Timing matters only within the open window; preferences can still affect order after selection. HUD
7) Can I apply to multiple PHAs at once?
Yes. HUD encourages applying to multiple waitlists; you may have to start living in the PHA’s area for the first 12 months once assisted. HUD
8) Where do I find lists that are open today?
Check your local PHA and curated trackers listing open/soon HCV/PBV waitlists. Affordable Housing Online+1