Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)
417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) is the public housing agency based in Baltimore, Maryland. It runs 21,280 Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8).
Contact Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)
- Phone
- (410) 396-3232
- Office
- 417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
- Website
- habc.org
VoucherMatch is not the housing authority and does not take applications or hold a waiting list. Applications, status checks and portal logins go through the office above.
Section 8 waiting list
We have not verified whether this voucher waiting list is open. Most lists are closed most of the time and open for a short window, sometimes as a lottery. Call (410) 396-3232 and ask whether the Housing Choice Voucher list is open, when it last opened and how the next opening will be announced.
- Ask which lists are open. Vouchers, public housing and any project-based buildings each keep their own list, and you can be on more than one.
- Have ID, Social Security numbers and proof of income ready for everyone in the household. Income is verified before any assistance is offered.
- Keep your mailing address, phone and email current with the office. Authorities remove applicants who do not answer an update letter.
Section 8 income limits in Baltimore City (FY2026)
To qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, a household's gross annual income generally has to be at or below the very low income limit for its size. In Baltimore City that is $67,000 a year for a family of four, about $5,580 a month before taxes. HUD's area median family income here is $134,000.
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $28,150 | $46,900 | $74,800 |
| 2 people | $32,200 | $53,600 | $85,450 |
| 3 people | $36,200 | $60,300 | $96,150 |
| 4 people | $40,200 | $67,000 | $106,800 |
| 5 people | $43,450 | $72,400 | $115,350 |
| 6 people | $46,650 | $77,750 | $123,900 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $83,100 | $132,450 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $88,450 | $141,000 |
Which column applies to you. The middle column is the eligibility line for most applicants (24 CFR 982.201). The low income column only applies in special cases, such as families already receiving federal housing assistance. The extremely low column matters for how fast you are reached: housing authorities must give at least 75% of the vouchers they issue from the waiting list each year to extremely low income families, which for a family of four here means $40,200 or less.
Income is counted before taxes and covers the whole household. The housing authority verifies it when your name is reached on the waiting list, so what counts is your income at that point. Being under the limit makes you eligible; it does not move you up a closed or full waiting list.
Source: HUD FY2026 Section 8 Income Limits for the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD MSA, huduser.gov.
HUD rent benchmarks in Baltimore City
HUD rent benchmarks for FY2027, effective October 1, 2026. These are not adopted housing-authority payment standards or household subsidy amounts. The illustration shows 90% to 110% of FMR; ZIP-based schedules, approved exceptions and Moving to Work rules can differ.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Illustration: 90% to 110% of FMR |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency (studio) | $1,523 | $1,371 to $1,675 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,625 | $1,463 to $1,788 |
| 2-bedroom | $2,006 | $1,805 to $2,207 |
| 3-bedroom | $2,509 | $2,258 to $2,760 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,789 | $2,510 to $3,068 |
The two-bedroom HUD benchmark for Baltimore City is $2,006. Multiplying by 90% and 110% gives $1,805 to $2,207, not an approval range. Gross rent includes the applicable allowance for tenant-paid utilities. Your agency must calculate assistance using its adopted standard, your household and the proposed unit.
More housing help in Baltimore
Frequently asked questions
- What is the phone number for Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC)?
- The main office number HUD lists for Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) is (410) 396-3232. The office is at 417 East Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21202.
- Does Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) have Section 8?
- Yes. HUD reports that Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) administers 21,280 Housing Choice Vouchers.
- Is the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) Section 8 waiting list open?
- We have not verified the current status of this list. Call (410) 396-3232 and ask whether the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is open, when it last opened, and how openings are announced.
- What is the income limit for Section 8 in Baltimore City?
- For FY2026, HUD's very low income limit in Baltimore City is $67,000 a year for a family of four. A household generally has to be at or below that line to qualify for a voucher, and most new vouchers go to households at or below the extremely low income limit.
- How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in Baltimore City?
- HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Baltimore City is $2,006 a month, rent and utilities together. That is HUD's benchmark. Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) sets its own payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of it, so ask the office for the adopted figure.
All housing authorities in Maryland →
Contact details and unit counts from HUD's Public Housing Authorities directory, agency MD002. Call ahead before you visit: offices move and hours change.