If you’re looking for free Section 8 help in San Antonio, you deserve a straight answer. Here it is: as of October 2026, the two waitlists most families want are closed — but two other waitlists are open right now, and there are real, free steps you can take today to protect your place in line and find other housing help while you wait.
What’s Open and What’s Closed (Verified October 2, 2026)
Opportunity Home San Antonio (formerly the San Antonio Housing Authority) runs the city’s Section 8 and public housing programs. Here’s the current waitlist status, verified on homesa.org:
| Program | Status | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Family Public Housing Waitlist | CLOSED | Closed May 27, 2025 with roughly 49,000 applicants; average wait about 4 years. No new applications accepted until it reopens. |
| Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 voucher) Waitlist | CLOSED | Not accepting new applications at this time. |
| Elderly/Disabled Public Housing Waitlist | OPEN | Head of household age 62 or older, or a household with a documented disability. |
| 504 Accessible Public Housing Waitlist | OPEN | Households that need an accessible unit. |
What You Can Apply For Right Now
1. Elderly/Disabled Public Housing
If the head of your household is 62 or older, or someone in your household has a documented disability, this waitlist is open and accepting applications. This is real public housing — you pay a reduced rent based on your income in a unit managed by Opportunity Home.
2. 504 Accessible Public Housing
If someone in your household needs an accessible unit (for example, wheelchair access or other disability-related features), the 504 waitlist is also open. “504” refers to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which covers housing accessibility for people with disabilities.
How to Apply (It’s Free)
Applying for any Opportunity Home program is always free — never pay anyone who claims they can get you on a waitlist faster or move you up in line. Contact the agency directly:
- Phone: 210-477-6000
- Address: 818 S Flores St, San Antonio, TX 78204
- Website: homesa.org
Have your ID, proof of income, and any disability or age documentation ready when you call — it speeds everything up.
While You Wait: Other Free Housing Help in San Antonio
A closed waitlist isn’t the end of the road. The City’s Neighborhood & Housing Services Department (NHSD) at sa.gov lists emergency rental assistance, homelessness prevention programs, and other housing resources. And don’t overlook a practical barrier: getting to housing offices, inspections, and appointments. Our free transportation assistance guide covers rides that can get you there at no cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Section 8 open in San Antonio right now?
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 voucher) waitlist is closed, and the Family Public Housing waitlist has been closed since May 27, 2025. What is open: the Elderly/Disabled Public Housing waitlist (head of household 62+ or documented disability) and the 504 Accessible Public Housing waitlist (households needing an accessible unit). Check homesa.org for the latest status, since waitlists can reopen.
What’s the difference between public housing and a voucher?
Public housing means you live in a specific apartment unit owned and managed by the housing authority and pay reduced, income-based rent. A Housing Choice Voucher (the classic “Section 8 voucher”) means you find your own rental from a private landlord, and the voucher covers part of the rent directly. Both programs are run locally by Opportunity Home San Antonio.
How long is the wait?
When the Family Public Housing waitlist closed in May 2025, it had roughly 49,000 applicants with an average wait of about 4 years. Wait times vary by program, unit size, and priority status — seniors and people with disabilities often have preference on the waitlists that serve them.
I missed the waitlist — what now?
Three things: (1) Apply for any waitlist you do qualify for right now, like the elderly/disabled or accessible-unit lists. (2) Watch homesa.org and Opportunity Home announcements so you’re ready the day a closed waitlist reopens — they can fill up fast. (3) Contact NHSD at sa.gov for emergency rental assistance and homelessness prevention help in the meantime.
Need a Hand? Apply for Me — It’s Free
Housing applications involve paperwork, deadlines, and documentation. Our free Apply for Me service walks you through it so nothing gets missed.
