The only MHA waiting lists currently open are for project based vouchers for the elderly (those 62 or older).  The waiting list for the Housing Choice Program, (also known as Sec8 Program,) is closed.  When the waiting list opens again, it will be announced on the MHA website.

The HCV Program is the federal government's major program for assisting extremely low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent safe, and sanitary housing in the private market in areas where crime and poverty are low. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single family homes and apartments.

A family that is issued a HCV is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of their choice where the owner agrees to rent under the Program.  This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety as determined by the MHA.

The rental subsidy is paid to the owner directly by the MHA on behalf of the family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the owner and the amount paid by the MHA.

The family must find a suitable unit – submit the required documents and the MHA must then inspect the unit for compliance with HUD established guidelines. The Payment Standards established by the MHA does not limit or affect the amount of rent an owner can charge or the family may pay; however, the rent must be reasonable. Rent is reasonable when it does not exceed the rent being charged for similar units in the general vicinity of the unit being proposed for assistance.

The family pays rent based upon 10% of gross income, 30% of monthly gross income less deductions to which a family is entitled, whichever is the greater but may never pay more than 40% of monthly gross income less deductions. If the unit rent exceeds the Payment Standard, the family is required to pay the additional amount. The MHA uses a HUD formula to determine the rent subsidy and the family portion of the rent.

The rent subsidy paid by the MHA is generally the lesser of the established Payment Standard minus 30% of the family's adjusted income or the gross rent [owner rent + utility allowance] for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.

No, portability is not offered in Public Housing.

The MHA bases eligibility on the total annual gross income in the household and the family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family income may not exceed 50% of the median income for Cobb County or the Metropolitan Statistical Area in which the family elects to live. By law, the MHA must provide 75% of its HCV funding to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income.

The public housing program and the housing choice voucher program are federally funded program operated under federal guidelines. If you apply and receive public housing assistance, you must live in one of the MHA public housing communities. If you apply and receive Housing Choice Voucher assistance, you would receive a voucher that would assist you in the privately owned unit.

The MHA does not provide emergency housing. Under our Tenant Service link there is a list of several agencies that might be able to assist you. The United Way has a 211 telephone number that can put you in contact with help.

Once your name comes to the top of the waiting list, MHA staff will review the following checklist to determine eligibility.

• Currently owes the Marietta Housing Authority money.
• Determination of criminal background check.
• Evicted from Public Housing.

If the answer to any of the above show a negative history of eviction or criminal activity, or you owe MHA money, this will delay or prevent your public housing assistance

The MHA area of jurisdiction is limited to Cobb County, Georgia. There are restrictions on where you live; must be an approved landlord from our list or landlords who are willing to abide by the program requirements; lease must be approved; and the unit must meet our Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

The waiting list is dynamic and does not follow a progressive method.  Public Housing is determined by bedroom size as well as date and time of application along with any preferences.  The Housing Choice Voucher Program has preferences as well as date and time of application.  These factors cause the waiting list to change on a monthly basis.  The time for Public Housing varies from 30 days to 1 or more years depending on the bedroom size.  Presently the Housing Choice Coucher Program waiting list is 3 or more years.

A family rent is currently determined by HUD regulation.  Normally a family will not pay more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities.

The waiting list is maintained by the date and time a person applies, the size of the family unit the person is eligible for and any preferences the person qualifies for.  When you apply for one of our programs a preference list is provided and you can check off which if any preferences apply to your situation.

Please have your current housing authority send your paper work to:  

Marietta Housing Authority
Tabitha Devoe
95 Cole Street
Marietta, GA 30060-2090
tdevoe@mariettahousingauthority.org
Telephone:770-419-5107
Fax: 770-419-5150