Anyone can apply for waiting lists as long as they are open for applications. Waiting lists must be open for applicants to apply. CHA advertises openings and closings of waiting lists two weeks in advance of the date through local media.
Applications are date and time stamped when submitted.
- Both waiting lists are an approximate 12-18 month wait.
- Applications are placed on waiting lists based on date and time as well as applicable waiting list preferences.
- When applications are selected from either waiting list, CHA will notify by first class mail or by email (whichever the family chose on the application). These notices will include instructions on how to obtain an eligibility interview. These interviews will determine if households are eligible for program assistance.
- Waiting lists are cleaned out twice a year. In the spring and fall, applicants that applied on or before a specific date will be sent an application update. Application updates must be returned by a specific date in order to remain on waiting lists. Those that do not respond by the deadline will be removed from waiting lists. Households can only reapply if waiting lists are open for applications.
- All notices include a deadline to respond by. Those that do not respond by given deadlines will be removed from waiting lists.
CHA does not have emergency housing. Waiting lists are strictly based on first-come-first-served and two waiting list preferences. For information about emergency housing options, contact United Way 211 by calling 2-1-1 or (812) 376-6666. For information about Brighter Days homeless shelter, you may call (812) 344-4512.
Anyone can apply for waiting lists as long as they are open for applications. CHA has two local waiting list preferences. When we pull from waiting lists, the first applications pulled (based on date/time of submission) are those where the head of household, spouse, or co-head is living, working, or attending school in Bartholomew County and is a veteran. Once we get through those, we will pull those where the head of household, spouse, or co-head is living, working, or attending school in Bartholomew County. If you do not have any waiting list preferences, you are still encouraged to apply. Applications are pulled in the following order based on the date and time of submission:
- Applications where the head of household, spouse, or co-head is living, working or attending school in Bartholomew County and is a veteran
- Applications where the head of household, spouse, or co-head is living, working or attending school in Bartholomew County
- Applications where the head of household, spouse, or co-head is a veteran
- Applications with zero waiting list preferences
Your number one priority while you are on waiting lists is to keep your contact information updated. You must keep your contact information current on your application by directly contacting Columbus Housing Authority (CHA). You may call our office at (812) 378-0005 or come into our office located at 799 McClure Road to make changes to your application.
Report any changes to your application by directly contacting CHA. Changes include adding or removing household members; adding, updating, or removing phone numbers, mailing addresses, and email addresses; increases and decreases in any type of income; changes in your application’s preference(s); etc. It is your responsibility to keep information on your application updated.
If you would like duplicate notices sent to an additional contact person, you may add these to your application. CHA strongly encourages you add at least one additional contact to your application. Adding contact information of a trusted relative, friend, or case manager helps ensure you receive notices and meet our deadlines. If you add additional contacts to your application, notify those you have added to immediately contact you if they receive a notice from CHA.
Be sure to review the income requirements to qualify for Section 8 Housing and Housing Choice Vouchers.