City opens Section 8 waiting list

The city’s Housing Authority will open its Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher waiting list this year for the first time since 2006. Applicants can apply online at any time between Oct. 22 and 29 using any Internet device. To provide applicants with equal access to the process, the Housing Authority has partnered with a number of groups, businesses and community organizations across the Austin area to provide Internet access. Those who apply during the eight-day period are entered into a random lottery for an equal chance at one of the 2,500 available spots on the waiting list. Organizers say they expect the number of applicants to be between 20,000 and 40,000. The pre-application process will be available online only at austin.apply4housing.com.  For more information, call 888-262-3949.