Programs administered
- Section 8 HCV — see the Section 8 HCV program page for full eligibility rules and how to apply.
- Public Housing — see the Public Housing program page for full eligibility rules and how to apply.
About Housing Authority of the City of Madison
Housing Authority of the City of Madison is one of 95 Public Housing Agencies operating in Wisconsin. Like every PHA, it is a quasi-governmental agency that receives funding from HUD to administer federal rental assistance programs in its service area. The agency operates under a Board of Commissioners (typically appointed by the local mayor or county executive) and follows a HUD-approved annual plan that sets local preferences, payment standards, admissions and continued occupancy rules, and waiting list procedures.
The agency's largest program is typically the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program, with 4,361 vouchers under contract. Voucher holders find their own private-market rental and the agency pays the landlord directly each month, with the tenant responsible for the difference between the voucher value and the contract rent (capped so that the household's share never exceeds 30–40% of adjusted gross income for the first lease term).
The agency also operates roughly 1,130 public housing units across its developments. These units are owned and maintained directly by the agency; tenants pay 30% of adjusted income as rent and the agency funds operations through a HUD operating subsidy plus tenant rents.
How the waiting list works at this PHA
The current waiting list status is Open. PHAs in Wisconsin open and close their waiting lists periodically depending on funding and how many existing applicants remain in the queue. When the list is "Open with preferences," the agency is taking new applications but is processing applicants in priority order based on locally adopted preferences such as homelessness, displacement by government action, working households, veterans, or current residency in the service area.
If this PHA's waiting list is closed, you can still apply at any other agency in the state — voucher portability rules let you transfer your voucher to a different jurisdiction after one year of use. See the Wisconsin state page for other agencies serving the area.
Contact
Housing Authority of the City of Madison
4810 Main Street
Madison, WI
Phone: (710) 555-0459
Executive: Director of Housing Programs
Contact information shown reflects the structure of HUD's published PHA contact dataset. Always confirm the current phone number and address with the agency before visiting.