Which Section 8 waiting lists are open, closed, or using a lottery in 2026?
As of early 2026, approximately 249 Section 8 waiting lists are open nationwide with 110 more opening soon. Several high-demand states like California and Massachusetts have closed or heavily restricted their lists. About 3.4% of housing authorities use lottery systems instead of first-come, first-served. Knowing where lists stand before you apply saves time and increases your chances of getting housed faster.
When you’re trying to get Section 8 housing assistance, the first question isn’t “Am I eligible?” It’s “Is there even a list I can get on?” Because if a waiting list is closed, it doesn’t matter how qualified you are — you simply can’t apply until it reopens.
If you’re looking for rental assistance help, this guide gives you the current status of Section 8 waiting lists across the country as of 2026, organized by open, closed, and lottery-based systems, along with what to do in each situation.
How Section 8 Waiting List Status Works
Each of the roughly 2,000 Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) across the country independently manages its own Section 8 waiting list. At any given moment, a list can be in one of three states:
Open — The PHA is actively accepting new applications. Anyone who meets basic eligibility requirements can apply and be placed on the list.
Closed — The PHA has stopped accepting new applications, typically because its current list is longer than it can realistically serve within a reasonable timeframe. There is no timeline for reopening in most cases.
Lottery / Limited Opening — The PHA opens the list for a short window (sometimes just 24–72 hours) and uses a random lottery to select which applicants are placed on the list. This is designed to give all applicants an equal chance regardless of when they submit within the open window.
The status of each list can change without much advance notice. A list that was closed last month might reopen next week. That’s why it’s critical to monitor multiple PHAs actively rather than assuming your local list is your only option.
States With Currently Open Section 8 Lists (2026)
The following states had open HCV waiting lists as of early 2026. “Open until further notice” means the list has no set closing date but could close at any time. Always verify directly with the PHA before applying.
New York — Partially Open
As of January 2026, 10 HCV lists remain open until further notice across New York State. However, NYCHA (New York City Housing Authority) is not currently accepting general new applications for tenant-based vouchers. Project-based voucher lists through regional agencies in upstate New York — including Buffalo, Albany, Rochester, and smaller cities — remain active. Applicants in the NYC metro should focus on project-based opportunities and upstate PHAs.
California — Partially Open
Nine California lists were open until further notice as of February 2026. However, two major programs closed in February 2026: the San Diego County list closed with 124,000 applicants already on it, and the City of San Diego list also closed. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Oakland remain severely backlogged with effectively inaccessible general lists. Inland and rural California PHAs offer the best current opportunities in the state.
Georgia — Open with Quarterly Openings
Atlanta Housing reopened its family waitlist in 2025. The Georgia Department of Community Affairs opened multiple project-based voucher lists in 2025 and has committed to quarterly openings going forward, making Georgia one of the more predictable states for applicants to target. Multiple lists across smaller Georgia cities also remain open until further notice.
Montana — Reopened in 2025
The statewide Montana HCV list reopened July 1, 2025 after closing in August 2024 due to HUD funding cuts. The program is divided into ten regional lists, and applicants can apply to the region of their choice. Montana’s reopening is one of the notable positive developments of the past year for applicants in the Mountain West region.
Plains States — Widely Open
North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa all have multiple lists open until further notice as of early 2026. South Dakota alone has 8 HCV lists open with 1 more opening soon. These states represent the best current open-list opportunities in the country for applicants willing to apply across jurisdictions.
States With Closed or Restricted Section 8 Lists (2026)
These states have closed their main waiting lists or significantly restricted access as of early 2026. Closed lists can reopen without much notice, so it’s worth monitoring them — but applicants should not count on these as near-term options.
Massachusetts — Statewide List Closed
The Massachusetts EOHLC (Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) mobile voucher waiting list closed in January 2025 and has not reopened. Project-based vouchers through Local Housing Authorities (LHAs) and Regional Administering Agencies (RAAs) are still available, but the primary tenant-based program is inaccessible for new applicants statewide. This is a significant restriction for one of the most housing-pressured states in the country.
Connecticut — State List Closed
The Connecticut Department of Housing Section 8 waitlist is currently closed. Some local PHA lists in smaller Connecticut cities may have separate programs — applicants should contact individual city housing authorities directly rather than relying on the state-level program.
San Diego, California — Closed February 2026
Both the San Diego County and City of San Diego HCV lists closed in February 2026. The county list had reached 124,000 applicants before closing. These programs serve over 3 million people and their closure represents a major setback for one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. There is no announced reopening timeline.
New York City — NYCHA Not Accepting General Applications
NYCHA has not accepted general lottery applications for tenant-based vouchers since June 2024. The waiting list for public housing through NYCHA is also effectively closed for most applicants. Project-based vouchers and targeted programs for homeless and domestic violence survivors remain available through separate application processes.
Texas (Major Metro PHAs) — Intermittently Closed
The Dallas and Houston Housing Authorities open their HCV waiting lists sporadically and for very short windows. Both programs are heavily oversubscribed, and periods between openings can last years. Applicants in Texas are generally better served by applying to smaller city and rural county PHAs where lists are more consistently open and queues are shorter.
If Section 8 lists are closed in your area, emergency rental assistance may still be available to you right now.
States Using Lottery Systems (2026)
About 3.4% of housing authorities in the United States use a random lottery rather than a first-come, first-served system to place applicants on their waiting lists. This approach is used during brief application windows, typically lasting just a few days, and gives every applicant an equal chance regardless of when they submit within that window.
States and programs known to use or frequently use lottery systems include:
New Jersey — New Jersey operates a statewide lottery-based system with clear priority tiers. Veterans receive the highest priority, followed by homeless individuals, disabled applicants, domestic violence survivors, and local residents. The lottery window opens periodically — check the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs for current schedules.
Georgia (DCA) — Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs uses lottery-based openings for project-based voucher lists, with quarterly windows announced in advance. This predictability makes Georgia one of the most strategically plannable states for applicants.
Illinois (Chicago Housing Authority) — When the Chicago Housing Authority opens its waiting list, it typically uses a brief lottery window due to overwhelming demand. These openings are rare and widely publicized when they occur.
Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward) — South Florida housing authorities use lottery systems during short opening windows. Miami-Dade’s last major opening drew tens of thousands of applicants within 72 hours.
