Finding Apartments That Accept Section 8 in Atlanta, Georgia

Finding apartments that accept Section 8 in Atlanta, Georgia can feel overwhelming, especially with rising rents across the metro area. But there are options in the city and surrounding neighborhoods if you know how the system works, where to look, and how to prepare.

This guide walks you through how Section 8 works in Atlanta, how to find landlords who accept vouchers, and practical tips for applying and getting approved.

How Section 8 Works in Atlanta

In Atlanta, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) helps eligible low-income households pay part of their rent. Instead of living only in “public housing,” voucher holders can rent from private landlords and apartment communities that agree to participate.

Who runs the program locally?

Several agencies handle vouchers in the Atlanta area:

• Atlanta Housing (AH) – Covers the City of Atlanta

  • Main office: 230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30303
  • Phone: (404) 892-4700

• Housing Authority of DeKalb County (HADC) – For parts of Decatur and DeKalb County

• Housing Authority of Fulton County (HAFC) – For Fulton County areas outside the City of Atlanta (e.g., some parts of Sandy Springs, Union City)

• Marietta Housing Authority, Cobb County, Gwinnett, Clayton, and others – For surrounding metro areas

If you already have a voucher, it will usually be tied to one specific housing authority, and you must search in areas where that agency allows you to lease (or request “portability” if moving from another city or state).

Key Steps to Find Section 8 Apartments in Atlanta

1. Confirm Your Voucher Status and Limits

Before apartment hunting, make sure you know:

• Whether your voucher is active (not expired)
• Your bedroom size (1BR, 2BR, 3BR, etc.)
• Your payment standard (the maximum rent the housing authority will generally approve for your voucher size, including utilities)
• Any zip-code restrictions or “exception payment standards” for certain neighborhoods

You can get this information from your housing authority or the packet you received when your voucher was issued.

2. Understand Which Properties Typically Accept Section 8

In Atlanta, you’ll usually find Section 8–friendly options in three main categories:

A. Traditional “Project-Based” or Subsidized Communities

These are apartment complexes where some or all units are already set aside as affordable housing, often with long-term agreements to accept vouchers or offer subsidized rent.

Examples of where these are commonly found in or near Atlanta:

• Southwest Atlanta – Cascade, Campbellton Road, Greenbriar area
• Westside/West End – Near MARTA lines and bus routes
• South Atlanta/College Park/East Point – Along major transit corridors
• East Atlanta/Decatur/Clarkston – Some older complexes and nonprofit-run communities

These properties often have waiting lists, but they are generally familiar with Section 8 and know the process.

B. Private Landlords and Small Apartment Buildings

Many smaller landlords and duplex/fourplex owners in Atlanta accept vouchers, especially in:

• South and West Atlanta neighborhoods
• Parts of East Atlanta, Gresham Road, Panthersville
• Some older properties in Sandy Springs, Doraville, Chamblee (depending on your housing authority)

These rentals might be listed on general housing websites, local boards, yard signs, or referrals from community organizations.

C. Mixed-Income or Tax-Credit Properties

Atlanta has many Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) or mixed-income communities. Not all of them accept vouchers, but many do, especially those with dedicated “affordable” units.

You’ll see these in:

• Downtown and Midtown
• Old Fourth Ward, Mechanicsville, Pittsburgh
• Areas around the BeltLine
• Redeveloped former public housing sites like Vine City and East Lake

When you call, ask directly: “Do you accept Housing Choice Vouchers?”

Where to Look for Section 8 Apartments in Atlanta

You won’t find every Section 8–friendly apartment in one place, but combining several methods works best.

1. Use Your Housing Authority’s Resources

Many local agencies keep lists of landlords who accept vouchers or have online searchable tools or printed landlord directories.

For Atlanta Housing specifically:

• Call or visit Atlanta Housing (AH) and ask if they have:
  • A current landlord listing
  • Recommended apartment communities familiar with vouchers
  • Any special programs that help match voucher holders with landlords

Atlanta Housing
230 John Wesley Dobbs Ave NE
Atlanta, GA 30303
Phone: (404) 892-4700

You can also ask your assigned housing specialist for guidance.

2. Search Affordable Housing Databases and Classifieds

On most listing platforms (including general rental sites and local classifieds), use:

• Keywords like “Housing Choice Voucher accepted”, “Section 8 OK”, “income-restricted”, or “affordable units”
• Filters for max rent based on your voucher payment standard
• Filters for 1BR/2BR/3BR to match your voucher size

When you see a property you like, call before visiting and ask:

1. “Do you currently accept Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)?”
2. “Are there any available units, or a waiting list?”
3. “What is the current rent, and who pays which utilities?”

3. Connect With Local Nonprofits and Housing Help Centers

In Atlanta, several nonprofit and community organizations regularly work with voucher holders and low-income renters. They may know which landlords are open to Section 8 or have up-to-date flyers and lists.

Helpful places to contact or visit:

• Atlanta Legal Aid Society – Can offer guidance if you face discrimination or denial based on your voucher
• United Way of Greater Atlanta (2-1-1) – Call 2-1-1 to ask for housing search help and affordable housing referrals
• Local churches and community centers – Especially in Southwest Atlanta, West End, and South DeKalb, often maintain bulletin boards with rental leads
• City of Atlanta Office of Housing and Community Development – May have information about current affordable housing projects and partners

4. Drive or Ride Through Target Neighborhoods

Many landlords in Atlanta, especially small owners, still use “For Rent” signs with a phone number in front of the property.

Neighborhoods where this can be effective:

• West End, Adair Park, Oakland City, Venetian Hills
• Parts of Cascade Road, Campbellton Road, Ben Hill
• South Atlanta, Lakewood, Pryor Road
• Some older communities in East Point, College Park, Forest Park

When you call from a sign, ask upfront if they accept vouchers so you don’t waste time touring units you can’t lease.

What to Expect From the Section 8 Approval Process in Atlanta

Even once you find an apartment that accepts Section 8, there are important steps before you can move in.

1. Landlord Screening

Landlords in Atlanta can still apply their own screening criteria, including:

• Credit history
• Rental history and prior evictions
• Criminal background checks
• Income verification (some will count your voucher as income)

They cannot legally discriminate just because you use a voucher, but they can require you to meet reasonable rental standards as they would with non-voucher tenants.

2. Housing Authority Approval and Inspection

Before your lease is finalized:

1. You submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) form to the housing authority, signed by you and the landlord.
2. The housing authority checks that:
   • The rent is reasonable for the area
   • The unit size matches your voucher
   • The total cost (rent + utilities) is within your voucher’s limits
3. They schedule a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection.

The unit must pass this inspection before you can move in and have the voucher pay its portion. If repairs are needed, the landlord must complete them and sometimes undergo a re-inspection.

3. Lease and Move-In

Once approved:

• You sign a lease with the landlord (usually 12 months)
• The housing authority signs a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the landlord
• You pay your portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month
• The housing authority pays the voucher portion directly to the landlord

You’re responsible for following both:

• The lease terms
• The voucher program rules (such as reporting income changes, household changes, and not subletting)

Typical Areas in Atlanta Where Section 8 Apartments Are More Common

While Section 8 apartments can be scattered across the metro, voucher holders in Atlanta often find more options in certain areas.

Southwest and South Atlanta

Neighborhood examples:

• Cascade Heights
• Atlanta University Center area
• Oakland City, Venetian Hills
• Ben Hill, Campbellton Road corridor
• Lakewood, South Atlanta

These areas often have:

• Older garden-style apartment complexes
• Some newer or renovated affordable housing
• More landlords already familiar with the voucher program
• Good MARTA bus coverage, and some proximity to rail stations

Westside and West End

Neighborhood examples:

• Historic West End
• Westview, Mozley Park
• Vine City, English Avenue (some redevelopment areas)

You’ll find:

• Mixed-income developments replacing former public housing
• Smaller multifamily buildings and single-family homes for rent
• Access to the West End MARTA Station and bus routes

Availability changes often due to redevelopment and gentrification, so act quickly on any good lead.

East and Southeast Atlanta / DeKalb

Neighborhood examples:

• Gresham Park, Panthersville
• Candler Road, Flat Shoals area
• Parts of Decatur and unincorporated DeKalb
• Clarkston and surrounding areas

These areas typically have:

• Larger apartment communities, some with income-restricted units
• Strong ties to nonprofits and resettlement organizations (especially around Clarkston)
• Access to major bus routes leading into the City of Atlanta

Preparing Yourself to Be a Strong Applicant

In a tight rental market like Atlanta, being ready can make the difference between getting the apartment and missing out.

Documents to Gather

Landlords and housing authorities in Atlanta commonly ask for:

• Government-issued photo ID
• Social Security cards for household members (if applicable)
• Voucher award letter and any paperwork from your housing authority
• Recent pay stubs or income documentation (or benefit letters)
• Contact info for previous landlords
• References, if available

Having these ready in a folder lets you respond quickly when a unit becomes available.

Make a Simple “Rental Profile”

It can help to keep a one-page summary including:

• Your name and best contact information
• Voucher size and which housing authority issues it
• Desired move-in date
• Number of household members
• Basic background (e.g., long-term employment, long-tenure at last residence if applicable)

This can make landlords more comfortable and help you stand out as organized and serious.

Common Challenges Finding Section 8 Apartments in Atlanta (and How to Respond)

1. “We Don’t Take Section 8”

Some landlords in Atlanta still decline to accept vouchers. When this happens:

• Don’t argue on the phone; simply note the response and move on to the next lead.
• Prioritize landlords who clearly state they are voucher-friendly.
• Let your housing authority know; sometimes they are working actively to recruit new landlords and can direct you to more receptive owners.

2. Rent Above Your Voucher Limit

In high-demand areas (like Midtown, Buckhead, or near the BeltLine), asking rents may be above what your voucher can cover.

To handle this:

• Ask whether the landlord has smaller units or if they expect to have future availability at a lower rent.
• Check with your housing authority whether “exception payment standards” apply in that zip code (some higher-rent areas are allowed slightly higher voucher amounts).
• Consider nearby neighborhoods with easier rent levels but still decent access to MARTA and jobs.

3. Tight Deadlines on Your Voucher

Vouchers usually come with an expiration date by which you must find housing.

If time is running short:

• Contact your housing authority early and ask about extensions (explain your search efforts).
• Expand your search radius within the allowed area.
• Visit multiple areas in one day to collect phone numbers from “For Rent” signs.
• Call United Way’s 2-1-1 line to ask for housing search support.

Quick Reference: Atlanta Section 8 Housing Search Checklist

When You Need Extra Help

If you’re struggling to find apartments that accept Section 8 in Atlanta, Georgia, you’re not alone. Many renters face the same obstacles.

You can reach out for targeted support to:

• Atlanta Housing (AH) – For questions about your voucher, landlord lists, and inspections
• United Way of Greater Atlanta – 2-1-1 – For housing referrals and connections to nonprofits
• Atlanta Legal Aid Society – If you suspect illegal discrimination or run into serious landlord issues

Being persistent, organized, and flexible about neighborhoods usually gives you the best chance of finding a Section 8–friendly apartment in Atlanta that fits your needs.