Low-Income Housing in Atlanta: How to Find Help, Apply, and Stay Organized

Finding low-income housing in Atlanta can feel overwhelming, especially with rising rents and long waitlists. The good news: Atlanta and the surrounding area do have multiple programs, agencies, and properties designed to help lower-income individuals and families find affordable, stable housing.

This guide walks you through how low-income housing works specifically in Atlanta, where to apply, who to contact, and practical steps to improve your chances of finding a place.

How Low-Income Housing Works in Atlanta

When people in Atlanta say “low-income housing”, they usually mean one or more of these:

1. Public Housing – apartments owned/managed by the local housing authority with reduced rent.
2. Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) – vouchers that help you pay part of the rent in privately-owned apartments.
3. Income-Restricted or Tax Credit Apartments (LIHTC) – privately-owned properties that cap rent based on income limits.
4. Local/Nonprofit Affordable Housing – units managed by nonprofits, churches, or community groups.

All of these options in Atlanta are income-based, and most have eligibility rules, documentation requirements, and sometimes waitlists.

Key Atlanta Agencies for Low-Income Housing

These are the main public agencies that handle low-income housing in the Atlanta area:

Atlanta Housing (AH)

Serves: City of Atlanta (inside city limits)

Programs typically include:

• Public housing and mixed-income communities
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV / Section 8)
• Project-based vouchers tied to specific properties

Main office (check for updates before visiting):
2491 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW
Atlanta, GA 30311
Phone: (404) 892-4700

Atlanta Housing regularly opens and closes waitlists, so timing matters. Information is usually available by phone or posted at their office locations.

Atlanta Housing Authority (AHA) / “Atlanta Housing”

In Atlanta, you’ll often hear people say “Housing Authority” or “AHA” when they’re talking about Atlanta Housing. They are essentially the same entity in the city context. If you live inside the City of Atlanta, this is usually your first stop for vouchers and public housing.

Housing Authorities in Metro Atlanta

If you live in a surrounding city or county, you may need to contact a different housing authority:

• DeKalb County Housing Authority (Decatur and parts of east metro)
  750 Commerce Drive, Suite 201
  Decatur, GA 30030
  Phone: (404) 270-2100

• Fulton County Housing Authority (Fulton County areas outside Atlanta city limits)
  4273 Wendell Drive SW
  Atlanta, GA 30336
  Phone: (404) 588-4950

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

If you’re not sure which agency covers your neighborhood, call any of the above and ask which housing authority serves your address or ZIP code.

Main Types of Low-Income Housing in Atlanta

1. Public Housing

What it is:
Public housing communities are owned/overseen by housing authorities (like Atlanta Housing). Rent is usually set at about 30% of your adjusted monthly income, with utility allowances factored in.

What to know in Atlanta:

• Some older public housing projects in Atlanta were demolished and replaced with mixed-income communities.
• Many of these newer communities still reserve a portion of units for low-income households under specific programs.
• There may be background screening and income verification for every adult in the household.

2. Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

What it is:
Vouchers that help you pay rent to a private landlord anywhere in the city or county where the voucher is issued (and sometimes beyond, with permission).

Key points in Atlanta:

• Waitlists often open briefly and then close once enough applications are received.
• Once you have a voucher, you must find a landlord willing to accept it and a unit that passes inspection.
• Landlords in some parts of Georgia are not required to accept vouchers, so you may need to call around.

Typical steps:

1. Get on the voucher waitlist (if open) through your local housing authority.
2. Wait to be selected (this can take months or longer, depending on funding and demand).
3. Attend voucher briefings and submit required paperwork.
4. Search for a unit in Atlanta where the landlord accepts vouchers and the rent fits program limits.

3. Income-Restricted (Tax Credit) Apartments

These are often called “affordable,” “income-restricted,” or “tax credit” communities. They’re built and managed by private companies but must:

• Keep rents at or below certain levels
• Rent to households under specific income limits

What this looks like in Atlanta:

• Many new apartment buildings around the BeltLine, Westside, and South Atlanta include a small percentage of below-market units.
• Some older, larger communities in Southwest, Southeast, and South DeKalb are almost entirely income-restricted.

When you apply, the leasing office will:

• Ask for proof of income (pay stubs, benefit letters, etc.)
• Verify household size
• Check that you fall within the allowed income range

4. Local and Nonprofit Affordable Housing

Several Atlanta nonprofits and community development corporations own or manage low-income or transitional housing. Examples include groups that operate:

• Apartment buildings with reduced rent
• Transitional housing for families leaving shelters
• Senior housing with income-based rent

While details change over time, many of these organizations connect with people through:

• United Way of Greater Atlanta (dial 2-1-1 from most phones in metro Atlanta)
• Local churches and neighborhood-based nonprofits
• Social service providers, shelters, or legal aid organizations

Who Qualifies for Low-Income Housing in Atlanta?

Eligibility can vary by program, but most low-income housing in Atlanta looks at:

• Household income (compared to area median income, or “AMI”)
• Household size (how many people will live in the unit)
• Citizenship/immigration status (for federally funded programs)
• Criminal background and rental history (varies by property and program)

In general:

• Lower income improves your chances, especially for deeply subsidized units.
• You’ll need documentation to prove income and identity for all household members.

Common Documents You May Need

Keep these organized in a folder or envelope:

• Government-issued ID for adults (driver’s license, state ID, etc.)
• Social Security cards (if available)
• Birth certificates for children
• Pay stubs (recent, usually last 30–60 days)
• Benefit award letters (SSDI, SSI, TANF, SNAP, unemployment, etc.)
• Past tax returns or W-2s (sometimes)
• Landlord references or previous lease information

Having this ready makes it much easier to apply quickly when waitlists open or units become available.

Where to Start if You Need Low-Income Housing in Atlanta

Step 1: Figure Out Which Area You Want (and Which Agency Serves You)

Ask yourself:

• Do you want to live inside the City of Atlanta or in nearby counties (DeKalb, Fulton outside city limits, Cobb, Clayton, Gwinnett)?
• Are you open to anywhere in metro Atlanta if it makes housing more affordable?

Then call or visit:

• Atlanta Housing (for city neighborhoods like Southwest Atlanta, Midtown, Downtown, Old Fourth Ward, and many BeltLine areas).
• The housing authority for your county or city if you’re considering suburbs.

Step 2: Get on Every Eligible Waitlist

Because demand is high, it’s common in Atlanta for:

• Public housing waitlists to be long or temporarily closed
• Voucher waitlists to open for only a few days

When you see an open waitlist:

• Apply as soon as possible
• Double-check that your contact information is correct (phone, mailing address, email if you have one)
• Save any confirmation number or receipt

Step 3: Look for Income-Restricted Apartments That Accept Applications Now

Even if public housing or voucher lists are closed, income-restricted apartments may be accepting:

• Walk-in applications at leasing offices
• Phone inquiries from interested renters

When you call properties, ask:

• “Do you have any income-restricted or tax credit units available or coming up soon?”
• “What is the minimum and maximum income for those units?”
• “What documents do you need from me?”

Be prepared for application fees at some private properties, though many low-income programs try to keep them modest or offer fee waivers in certain situations.

Step 4: Use Atlanta’s Help Lines and Resource Centers

Several local resources can help you navigate the process:

2-1-1 (United Way of Greater Atlanta)

• Dial 2-1-1 from most phones in metro Atlanta.
• Ask for affordable housing, rental assistance, or emergency shelter referrals.
• They can give you current contacts for nonprofit housing providers, legal help, or agencies with open lists.

City of Atlanta / Fulton & DeKalb Resource Centers

Look for local community resource centers or multi-service centers that may connect residents to:

• Housing counseling
• Rent assistance
• Eviction prevention programs

These centers can change location over time, so calling 2-1-1 or your housing authority for the latest info is often the fastest route.

Key Atlanta Low-Income Housing Options at a Glance

Below is a simple overview of common options that apply to Atlanta residents:

Tips to Improve Your Chances of Finding Low-Income Housing in Atlanta

A tight housing market means being organized and proactive helps:

• Apply widely. Don’t rely on a single waitlist. Look at multiple housing authorities and income-restricted properties across metro Atlanta.
• Keep contact info up to date. If you change your phone number or address, notify every housing authority and property you applied to.
• Respond quickly. Many programs give a short deadline to submit extra documents or attend appointments.
• Gather paperwork in advance. Having your IDs, income proof, and family documents ready can prevent delays.
• Ask about preferences. Some programs give preference to seniors, people with disabilities, veterans, or people who live or work in certain neighborhoods.
• Watch out for scams. Legitimate housing authorities in Atlanta do not ask for large cash payments to “skip the line” or guarantee a unit.

If You Need Emergency or Short-Term Help

If you’re at risk of eviction, staying in a shelter, or couch-surfing:

• Call 2-1-1 and ask specifically about:
  • Emergency shelter
  • Rapid rehousing programs
  • Rental assistance or eviction prevention
• Let any agency or caseworker you’re working with know that you’re also searching for long-term low-income housing, not just emergency shelter.

Sometimes, getting connected to case management or supportive housing programs can make it easier to move from homelessness or unstable housing into permanent low-income housing in Atlanta.

Practical Next Steps for Someone in Atlanta

1. Call the appropriate housing authority (Atlanta Housing or the one for your county) and ask:

   • If any public housing or voucher waitlists are currently open
   • How to get on a notification list for future openings

2. Dial 2-1-1 to:

   • Find income-restricted properties that are actively leasing
   • Get contacts for nonprofit housing providers and rental assistance

3. Gather key documents (IDs, Social Security cards, proof of income, birth certificates for children, benefit letters) and keep them in one place.

4. Start calling properties in neighborhoods you’re open to, asking if they have:

   • Tax credit / affordable units
   • Any current or upcoming availability

Low-income housing in Atlanta takes persistence, but understanding who to contact, what programs exist, and how to stay organized can make the process more manageable and increase your chances of finding a stable, affordable home.