Who Qualifies for Housing Assistance in Alabama?

Alabama's Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) administer federally funded housing programs on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Whether you are looking at Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers or public housing units, the core eligibility criteria fall into three categories: household income, family status, and citizenship or immigration standing.

Income Requirements

Income is the primary factor in determining who qualifies for housing assistance. HUD sets income limits every year based on Area Median Income (AMI) data for each metropolitan area and county in the state. In Alabama, most applicants must earn below 80 percent of the AMI to be considered for any program, and the majority of assistance goes to households earning below 50 percent of AMI.

For Huntsville and Madison County, HUD published the following approximate income limits for a family of four in the 2025-2026 cycle:

• Extremely Low Income (30% AMI): roughly $22,100 per year
• Very Low Income (50% AMI): roughly $36,800 per year
• Low Income (80% AMI): roughly $58,900 per year

Income limits scale with household size. A single-person household has a lower ceiling, while a family of six has a higher one. PHAs count nearly all sources of regular income, including wages, Social Security benefits, pensions, child support, and unemployment compensation. Some one-time or irregular payments may be excluded.

Family Status, Age, and Disability

While income is the gateway requirement, PHAs often prioritize certain household types. Families with dependent children, individuals who are 62 or older, and persons with a documented disability typically receive preference on waiting lists. This does not mean single adults without dependents are ineligible. It means they may wait longer to receive assistance, especially in areas with high demand.

Citizenship and Immigration Status

Federal housing assistance is available to U.S. citizens and certain categories of eligible noncitizens, including lawful permanent residents, refugees, and asylees. At least one member of the household must have eligible status for the family to receive assistance. In mixed-status households where some members do not have eligible immigration status, the housing subsidy is prorated to cover only the eligible members.

PHAs verify immigration status through the Department of Homeland Security's Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database during the application screening process.

Criminal Background Screening

Alabama PHAs conduct criminal background checks on all adult applicants. Certain convictions can disqualify an applicant. Federal law requires PHAs to deny housing to anyone who is subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement or who has been convicted of manufacturing methamphetamine in federally assisted housing. Beyond those mandatory exclusions, each PHA sets its own screening policies. Many PHAs in Alabama consider the nature, severity, and recency of offenses rather than imposing blanket bans.

Documents You Will Need

Gathering your paperwork ahead of time speeds up the application process considerably. Alabama PHAs generally require the following documents from every applicant:

1. Government-issued photo identification for all adult household members
2. Social Security cards or documentation for every household member
3. Birth certificates for all children under 18
4. Proof of income for the past 12 months, including pay stubs, W-2 forms, tax returns, Social Security benefit letters, or a statement of zero income
5. Bank statements covering the past three to six months
6. Current lease agreement or proof of housing situation
7. Documentation of citizenship or eligible immigration status
8. Verification of any disability, if claiming a preference

The PHA Screening Process

After you submit an application, the PHA reviews your documents to verify income, household composition, and eligibility. This process includes contacting employers, checking benefit databases, and running background checks. If your application meets all requirements, you are placed on the waiting list. The HUD Alabama state page provides contact information for every PHA in the state, so you can apply to multiple authorities and increase your chances of receiving assistance sooner.

Verification typically takes two to four weeks. If the PHA finds discrepancies between what you reported and what they confirm, you will be asked to clarify. Providing accurate information from the start is the best way to avoid delays or denial.