Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
880 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority is the public housing agency based in Columbus, Ohio. It runs 15,413 Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and 126 public housing apartments.
Contact Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
- Phone
- (614) 421-6000
- Office
- 880 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211
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 (614) 421-6000 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 Franklin County (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 Franklin County that is $55,750 a year for a family of four, about $4,640 a month before taxes. HUD's area median family income here is $111,500.
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $23,450 | $39,050 | $62,450 |
| 2 people | $26,800 | $44,600 | $71,400 |
| 3 people | $30,150 | $50,200 | $80,300 |
| 4 people | $33,450 | $55,750 | $89,200 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $60,250 | $96,350 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $64,700 | $103,500 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $69,150 | $110,650 |
| 8 people | $55,720 | $73,600 | $117,750 |
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 $33,450 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 Columbus, OH HUD Metro FMR Area, huduser.gov.
HUD rent benchmarks in Franklin County
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) | $1,258 | $1,132 to $1,384 |
| 1-bedroom | $1,346 | $1,211 to $1,481 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,602 | $1,442 to $1,762 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,909 | $1,718 to $2,100 |
| 4-bedroom | $2,172 | $1,955 to $2,389 |
The two-bedroom HUD benchmark for Franklin County is $1,602. Multiplying by 90% and 110% gives $1,442 to $1,762, 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 Columbus
Frequently asked questions
- What is the phone number for Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority?
- The main office number HUD lists for Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority is (614) 421-6000. The office is at 880 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43211.
- Does Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority have Section 8?
- Yes. HUD reports that Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority administers 15,413 Housing Choice Vouchers. It also runs 126 public housing apartments, which have a separate waiting list.
- Is the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority Section 8 waiting list open?
- We have not verified the current status of this list. Call (614) 421-6000 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 Franklin County?
- For FY2026, HUD's very low income limit in Franklin County is $55,750 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 Franklin County?
- HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Franklin County is $1,602 a month, rent and utilities together. That is HUD's benchmark. Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority sets its own payment standard, usually between 90% and 110% of it, so ask the office for the adopted figure.
All housing authorities in Ohio →
Contact details and unit counts from HUD's Public Housing Authorities directory, agency OH001. Call ahead before you visit: offices move and hours change.