Section 8 in Connecticut: Housing Authorities and How to Apply

Section 8 (the Housing Choice Voucher program) is run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). You apply to the agency that serves where you want to live; many keep waiting lists that open only at times. Here are the agencies serving Connecticut's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a Connecticut landlord to refuse Section 8? Yes. It is a discriminatory housing practice to refuse to rent to someone, or to treat them differently in rental terms or advertising, because of their 'lawful source of income.' This means income from Social Security, SSI, housing assistance (which includes vouchers), child support, alimony, or public or state-administered general assistance. A landlord may still deny solely for insufficient income. Exempt: renting rooms in an owner-occupied single-family home, and units in an owner-occupied two-family dwelling. Violation is a class D misdemeanor. Complaints go to the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities. Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 46a-64c(a), (b)(1), (b)(5), (c); 46a-63(3)

Housing authorities in Connecticut

• Housing Authority of the City of Hartford (HACH) — Hartford, Hartford County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
  Phone: 860-723-8400
  How to apply / waiting list — Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list: closed (as of 2026-10-24). Public housing list: closed September 4, 2026, then announced as reopening in a September 9, 2026 notice; check the authority's site for current status.
• City of Hartford Housing Authority (City of Hartford Section 8 program) — Hartford, Hartford County
  Housing Choice Voucher
  Phone: (860) 757-9021
• Elm City Communities / Housing Authority of the City of New Haven — New Haven, New Haven County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Public Housing
  Phone: 203-498-8800 (TDD 711)
  How to apply / waiting list — Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 waiting list closed effective May 1, 2026 (public notice on the authority's site, as of 2026-10-24). Reopenings are announced at least 10 business days in advance.
• Connecticut Department of Housing (state Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher and Rental Assistance Program) — Hartford, Statewide
  Housing Choice Voucher, State Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
  Phone: 860-270-8262
  How to apply / waiting list — State Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list and specialty voucher lists closed; RAP waiting list closed (as of 2026-10-24). Sign up at cthcvp.org/notifications to be told when any Section 8 list in Connecticut opens.

Source: HUD public housing agency contact list. Check the agency's own site before applying; waiting lists open and close.

Statewide housing agency

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) — Mainly finances affordable rental developments and homebuying; renters can search for affordable apartments through CTHousingSearch.com, linked from CHFA's site. Rental subsidies are run by the Department of Housing.

Help paying rent in Connecticut

• Rental Assistance Program (RAP) — State-funded rent subsidy for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities, run locally by regional housing authorities and agencies for the Department of Housing. Waiting list closed as of 2026-10-24.
• Housing crisis help through 2-1-1 — The Department of Housing directs people facing a housing crisis to call 2-1-1 and press option 3 for a Housing Crisis Specialist (weekdays 8:30am to 4pm).

How to apply

1. Find the housing authority for the city or county where you want to live (list above).
2. Check whether its voucher waiting list is open; many open for short windows or use a lottery.
3. Apply only through the agency's official site or office. Applying is free — no one may charge you to get on a list.
4. Keep your contact information current with the agency so you do not lose your place.
5. When a voucher is issued, you find a rental whose rent fits the agency's payment standard and that passes inspection.

Connecticut tenant rights · Free legal help in Connecticut · Section 8 in other states

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.