Atlanta Low Income Housing: How to Find Affordable Options in the City

Finding low income housing in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially with rising rents and long waitlists. But there are options if you know where to look, how the local system works, and which offices serve Atlanta residents.

This guide walks through the main types of low income housing in Atlanta, how to apply, who to contact, and practical tips to improve your chances.

Understanding Low Income Housing in Atlanta

In Atlanta, “low income housing” usually refers to one of these categories:

• Public housing (owned/managed by a housing authority)
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Income-restricted apartments (privately owned, with rent capped based on income)
• Supportive or transitional housing (often tied to social services)

Most programs use Household Income Limits based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for the Atlanta region. Your eligibility usually depends on:

• Household size
• Total household income
• Housing history and background screenings
• Citizenship or eligible immigration status for some programs

Because demand in Atlanta is high, waitlists are common, and some programs open only for short application windows.

Key Agencies for Low Income Housing in Atlanta

Atlanta Housing (AH)

Atlanta Housing is the main public housing authority for the City of Atlanta.

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

Atlanta Housing administers:

• Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) – often called Section 8
• Project-Based Vouchers (subsidy attached to specific properties)
• Some mixed-income communities and former traditional public housing sites

Atlanta Housing primarily serves residents within the city limits of Atlanta. If you live in another city in metro Atlanta, you may need to contact your local housing authority instead.

Other Nearby Housing Authorities (Metro Area)

If you are in the Atlanta region but not inside the City of Atlanta, local housing authorities may include:

• Housing Authority of DeKalb County
  750 Commerce Drive, Suite 201
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 270-2500

• Marietta Housing Authority
  95 Cole Street
  Marietta, GA 30060
  Phone: (770) 419-3200

These offices matter if you work or travel in Atlanta but actually live in nearby cities or counties.

Main Types of Low Income Housing in Atlanta

1. Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)

What it is:
A voucher that helps pay part of your rent in privately owned housing. You find a unit, and the voucher covers some of the rent directly to the landlord, while you pay the remainder.

Who runs it in Atlanta:
Atlanta Housing

How it works in practice:

1. You apply for a Housing Choice Voucher when the waitlist opens.
2. If selected, you must attend briefings and complete paperwork.
3. You search for a rental unit where the landlord accepts vouchers.
4. The unit must pass a housing quality inspection.
5. You sign a lease, and your portion of rent is calculated by income.

Pros for Atlanta residents:

• You can choose where to live within allowed areas (subject to landlord acceptance).
• Can often be used in different neighborhoods, not just in traditional “housing projects.”

Challenges:

• Waitlists in Atlanta are often closed or extremely long.
• Some landlords do not accept vouchers, so unit search can be difficult.
• There may be time limits on how long you have to find a place once you get a voucher.

2. Project-Based and Public Housing Communities

Instead of the subsidy following you, project-based units tie assistance to a specific apartment or building. If you move out, you lose the subsidy tied to that unit.

In Atlanta, these can include:

• Mixed-income developments that replaced older public housing projects
• Senior-only income-restricted communities
• Family-focused affordable communities

How you apply:

• Through Atlanta Housing or the property’s own leasing office, depending on the site
• Often through separate waiting lists for each community

When this can be a good option:

• You prefer a more structured, on-site managed environment
• You want built-in affordability without searching for private landlords who accept vouchers

3. Income-Restricted Apartments (Tax Credit / Affordable Housing)

Many private apartment complexes in Atlanta participate in Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) or similar programs. These are usually called:

• “Affordable apartments”
• “Income-restricted housing”
• “Tax credit communities”

Key points:

• Owned and managed by private companies, not the city.
• Rents are capped based on income brackets, often 30%, 50%, or 60% of AMI.
• You apply directly with the property’s leasing office, not the housing authority.
• They typically require background checks and standard tenant screening.

These are found in many Atlanta neighborhoods, including Downtown, Midtown, Westside, South Atlanta, and along major corridors.

4. Supportive, Transitional, and Emergency Housing

Some Atlanta organizations focus on people facing homelessness, domestic violence, reentry from incarceration, or serious health challenges. These programs may offer:

• Emergency shelter
• Short-term transitional housing
• Longer-term supportive housing with case management

Common entry points in Atlanta include:

• Gateway Center (near downtown) – a central hub for connecting people experiencing homelessness with shelter and services.
• City of Atlanta’s HOPE Atlanta offices and partner agencies may help coordinate housing navigation.

These programs usually have eligibility rules beyond income, such as:

• Homelessness status
• Participation in support programs
• Specific family or personal circumstances

Where to Start: Practical First Steps in Atlanta

If you’re in Atlanta and need low income housing, this step-by-step approach can help you get organized.

Step 1: Clarify Your Situation

Before you contact anyone, know:

• How many people are in your household?
• What is your monthly or yearly household income?
• Are you currently homeless, doubled up, or at risk of eviction?
• Do you have children, seniors, or people with disabilities in the household?

This information affects which Atlanta programs you might qualify for.

Step 2: Contact Atlanta Housing

Reach out to confirm the current status of:

• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list
• Project-based communities currently accepting applications

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

Ask:

• Whether any waiting lists are open
• How to create or update an online profile, if available
• What documents you’ll need (ID, Social Security cards, proof of income, etc.)

Step 3: Look for Income-Restricted Apartments

Many Atlantans find lower-cost rents by calling or visiting:

• Apartment communities labeled as “affordable,” “tax credit,” or “income-restricted”
• Properties near transit lines, colleges, or major redevelopment areas

When you call or visit a leasing office, ask:

• “Do you have income-restricted units?”
• “What are the income limits and rent ranges?”
• “Are you accepting applications or is there a waitlist?”

Be prepared to provide:

• Photo ID
• Proof of income (pay stubs, award letters, etc.)
• Landlord references, if you have them

Step 4: If You Are Homeless or At Immediate Risk

If you’re currently without stable housing in Atlanta:

• Call 211 – In many parts of Georgia, dialing 2-1-1 connects you to the United Way information and referral line, which can share local shelter and housing resources.
• Visit or contact a central service hub like Gateway Center in downtown Atlanta for intake, assessments, and referrals to emergency and transitional housing.
• Ask about:
  • Emergency shelter beds
  • Rapid rehousing programs
  • Housing navigation and case management

These options are often time-sensitive and space-limited, so following instructions closely and staying in touch is important.

Documents You’ll Commonly Need in Atlanta

Most housing programs in Atlanta will ask for similar documentation:

• Government-issued photo ID for adults
• Social Security cards or numbers for all household members (where available)
• Birth certificates for children
• Proof of income, such as:
  • Pay stubs
  • Benefits or award letters (Social Security, SSI, SSDI, VA, unemployment, TANF)
• Proof of current residence or homelessness status, if relevant
• Criminal background information (some programs conduct their own checks)

Having these ready can speed up applications, especially when waitlists briefly open.

Quick Comparison of Low Income Housing Options in Atlanta

Tips for Navigating Atlanta’s Low Income Housing Market

A few practical strategies can make a real difference:

• Apply to multiple options.
  Don’t rely on just one waitlist. Combine:

  • Atlanta Housing applications
  • Income-restricted apartment applications
  • Supportive programs if you qualify

• Keep your contact info updated.
  If you change phone numbers, email addresses, or mailing addresses, update:

  • Atlanta Housing
  • Any apartment communities where you’ve applied
    Missing a letter or call can cost you a spot on a waiting list.

• Be honest and complete on applications.
  Incomplete or conflicting information can delay or deny housing.

• Ask about reasonable accommodations.
  If someone in your household has a disability, you can ask for:

  • Extra time to provide documents
  • Help completing forms
  • Accessible units or ground-floor options

• Use transit-accessible locations.
  When you search for units, consider proximity to:

  • MARTA rail or bus lines
  • Major employment areas (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead, Perimeter)

• Stay patient but persistent.
  In Atlanta, it is common for low income housing searches to take months or longer. Calling back, checking in with leasing offices, and watching for open waitlists helps keep you moving forward.

When You’re New to Atlanta or Considering Moving Here

If you are planning to move to Atlanta and will need low income housing:

• Know that you may face waitlists.
• Some voucher programs give preference to current local residents.
• You may need temporary arrangements (staying with family, roommates, or short-term rentals) while you wait for affordable options.

Before relocating, consider:

• Your current support network versus what you’ll have in Atlanta
• Job prospects and transportation access
• Whether you can manage market-rate rent temporarily while waiting for assistance

Key Takeaways for Atlanta Residents

• Atlanta Housing is your primary contact for Section 8 and public housing–related programs within the city.
• Income-restricted apartments run by private landlords are widely used in Atlanta and require direct applications to each property.
• If you are homeless or at immediate risk, calling 2-1-1 and contacting central service hubs like Gateway Center can connect you to emergency and transitional options.
• Demand is high, but by organizing documents, applying widely, and staying persistent, many Atlanta residents do eventually secure stable, affordable housing.

If you’re in Atlanta and facing housing stress, starting early, staying informed about local programs, and regularly checking in with housing offices can give you the best chance of finding a low income housing option that works for you.