Section 8 in Vermont: 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 Vermont's largest areas, from HUD's official contact list and each agency's site.

Is it illegal for a Vermont landlord to refuse Section 8? Yes. It is unlawful to refuse to rent, set discriminatory terms, harass, or advertise a preference because a person receives public assistance, defined to include any federal, state, or local government assistance, including housing assistance. 9 V.S.A. § 4503(a); § 4501(6)

Housing authorities in Vermont

• Vermont State Housing Authority — Montpelier, Statewide
  Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Homeownership, Family Self-Sufficiency (Forward Motion), Managed Housing Program
  Phone: 802-828-3295
  How to apply / waiting list — closed — VSHA announced the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list closed January 31, 2025; no reopening date posted (as of 2026-10-24 per PHA site)
• Burlington Housing Authority — Burlington, Chittenden County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Project-Based Voucher, Family Unification Program, Non-Elderly Disabled vouchers, VASH (veterans), BHA-owned affordable properties
  Phone: 802-864-0538
  How to apply / waiting list
• Winooski Housing Authority — Winooski, Chittenden County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Project-Based properties, The Courtyard (elderly and disabled housing)
  Phone: 802-655-2360
  How to apply / waiting list — Housing Choice Voucher list closed since February 1, 2025; project-based and Courtyard waiting lists exist (as of 2026-10-24 per PHA site)
• Rutland Housing Authority — Rutland, Rutland County
  Housing Choice Voucher, Section 8 Project-Based housing, Agency-owned affordable housing
  Phone: 802-775-2926
  How to apply / waiting list
• Brattleboro Housing Authority (Brattleboro Housing Partnerships) — Brattleboro, Windham County
  Phone: (802) 254-6071
• Barre Housing Authority — Barre, Washington County
  Phone: (802) 476-3185

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

Statewide housing agency

Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) — VHFA finances affordable rental housing built and run by developers and property managers; it does not run a direct rent-assistance program for individual renters.

Help paying rent in Vermont

• Rental Arrears Assistance Fund (Vermont State Housing Authority) — State-funded help for tenants facing eviction for unpaid rent: pays back rent to the landlord when the tenant is eligible and both landlord and tenant agree to end the eviction. First-time applicants get priority. VSHA lists the program as opening November 2.

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.

Rent levels (HUD Fair Market Rent) and local help by county

• Chittenden County

Vermont tenant rights · Free legal help in Vermont · 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.