FAQs

WRHA offers two main types of housing assistance, and understanding the difference can help you figure out which one applies to you. Public Housing means you live in a unit that WRHA owns and manages directly, meaning we are your landlord. The Housing Choice Voucher Program, sometimes called Section 8, works differently: you find your own housing in the private market, and the voucher helps cover a portion of your rent by paying your landlord directly. Both programs are income-based, but they serve different situations. If you are unsure which program is the right fit, contact our office and we will help point you in the right direction.

We accept applications for both Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program through our office. Eligibility is based on household income, family size, and other federal guidelines. Because demand is high, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible and keep your contact information up to date so we can reach you when something becomes available. Visit our How to Apply page for step-by-step guidance.

Learn more here.

Since demand for housing assistance is high, we maintain a waitlist for the HCV Program. When the waitlist is open, you can apply and you will be placed in order based on any applicable preferences and the date/time of your application. When a voucher becomes available, we reach out to applicants in order. Wait times can vary, so keeping your contact information current is the best thing you can do to make sure you don't miss your notification.

In an effort to provide as much affordable housing to our area as possible, the WRHA owns and operates its own units throughout the city of Waynesboro.  This is known as the Public Housing Program.  We take applications for this program every week, and applications are placed in order using our preference points system as well as the date and time of the application.  When a unit becomes available, the unit is offered to the appropriate-sized family in the order of the waitlist.  Wait times can vary, so keeping your application information up to date is essential.

WRHA does not offer assisted living apartments or long-term care services. We are a housing authority, meaning we provide affordable rental housing and housing voucher assistance to income-eligible individuals and families. If you are looking for assisted living options in the Waynesboro area, your local Department of Social Services is a great place to start.

FSS is a voluntary, five-year program available to Public Housing tenants and Housing Choice Voucher holders. You work one-on-one with a dedicated coordinator to build goals around employment, education, and financial health. As your earned income grows, a matched amount of your rent increase is deposited into an escrow savings account in your name, and when you complete the program, that money is yours to keep. Participation is free. Contact our office to learn more or get enrolled.

Learn more here.

The WRO is made up of every tenant from all PH complexes. It is a tenant-led organization with representatives from each of WRHA's Public Housing communities. It exists to give tenants a real voice in the decisions that affect their lives and their homes. The WRO has an elected Board of Directors and Officers and works alongside a WRHA liaison to keep communication open between residents and leadership. If you are a Public Housing tenant and want to get involved, we would love to connect you with your community's representative.

Learn more here.

If something in your unit needs attention, we need to know about it. Tenants can must call the Maintenance Work Order Line at 540-949-8305 in order to report any damage or repairs needed in their apartment.

Our team will respond quickly to gather all of the needed information about the request and then prioritize requests based on urgency. 

Maintenance staff will respond to emergency needs immediately, followed by high priority requests as quickly as possible, and so forth. If the repair is caused by something other than normal wear and tear, charges may apply according to the current Schedule of Fees. Maintenance is available 24 hours a day for emergencies. After office hours, call 540-910-1142 for assistance.

Landlords who partner with us through the Housing Choice Voucher Program receive reliable, on-time rental payments, access to a large pool of pre-screened tenants, and support from our team throughout the lease. To get started, reach out to our office and we will walk you through the registration process. Your property will need to pass an inspection and meet HUD requirements, and we are here to help make that as straightforward as possible.