The Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee (HACM) has completed its random lottery selection for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list. For thousands of Milwaukee renters who submitted online pre-applications, this determines whether they move onto the official waitlist—or must wait for the next opening while exploring other affordable-housing options.
This guide explains what the lottery outcome means, how HACM’s Section 8 program works, how to check your status, and what other programs (Public Housing, Project-Based Vouchers, and local rent assistance) can help if you were not selected.
Use our section8calc to estimate eligibility and voucher help for Milwaukee County, or browse Section 8 in Milwaukee and Wisconsin.
Quick Overview: HACM and Section 8 in Milwaukee
HACM is the public housing agency for the City of Milwaukee. It provides housing options to more than 11,000 households through a mix of public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, project-based assistance, and other programs. (HACM)
At the core of its rent-assistance work is the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 Rent Assistance):
- HACM’s voucher program helps low- and moderate-income families rent privately owned housing in Milwaukee.
- The rental subsidy, called a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP), is paid directly to the property owner each month.
- The program serves a limited number of families, which is why HACM uses waiting lists and lotteries.
According to HACM, its Housing Choice Voucher Program currently provides over 5,500 low-income households with vouchers to help them rent apartments on the private market.
For national context on how waiting lists work, see our guide: Section 8 Waiting Lists in 2026.
How HACM’s Section 8 / Housing Choice Voucher Program Works
HACM’s HCV program follows the standard federal Housing Choice Voucher model, with local details that matter if you are applying in Milwaukee.
Tenant-Based Section 8: Rent Assistance You Can Take With You
The tenant-based Section 8 program is what most people mean when they say “Section 8 voucher” in Milwaukee:
- The voucher is attached to the household, not to one specific unit.
- Voucher holders can rent from private landlords—single-family homes, duplexes, or apartments—so long as the unit passes inspection and the rent is within program limits.
- Assistance is available to a limited number of families, and there is no guaranteed timeline for receiving a voucher, even if you are on the waitlist.
How Much Rent Do Section 8 Tenants Pay?
Participants in HACM’s rent-assistance programs typically pay about 30% of their income for rent, with HACM paying the rest directly to the landlord. (HACM Rent Assistance)
Example: If a household’s adjusted income is $1,500 per month, the basic tenant share would be around $450 per month, and HACM would cover the balance of the approved rent in the HAP.
The exact amount can change if income, household size, or utilities change, but the 30% rule is the basic benchmark. Learn more in our guide: How Section 8 Housing Works.
What Just Happened: HACM Completes the 2026 Waiting List Lottery
HACM has completed the random lottery selection for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list.
Key facts:
- The lottery applied to people who submitted pre-applications during the recent opening period.
- Those who pre-applied were notified by email whether they were selected for the HCV waiting list.
- Pre-applicants can log into myportal.hacm.org to check status and update contact information.
This means the tenant-based Section 8 waiting list is now closed to new pre-applications, and HACM is working from the list created by the lottery.
How HACM’s Waiting Lists Work (Section 8, PBV, and Public Housing)
HACM manages several different waiting lists at the same time:
| Program | What it is | Current status (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) | Tenant-based vouchers | Closed after lottery |
| Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) | Subsidy tied to specific buildings | Open — waitlist.hacm.org |
| Public Housing | HACM-owned units; ~30% of income | Open — waitlist.hacm.org |
| Unsubsidized HACM properties | Below-market rents, no classic voucher | Varies by property |
1. Tenant-Based Section 8 Waiting List (Closed)
HACM confirms that the Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (Rent Assistance) waiting list remains closed after the lottery.
Interested individuals cannot apply to that list right now; they must wait until HACM announces another opening and lottery through hacm.org, social media, and press releases.
2. Project-Based Voucher Waiting Lists (Open)
Project-Based Vouchers (PBVs) attach the subsidy to specific housing developments, not to individuals who can move freely with a portable voucher.
HACM states that Project-Based Voucher waiting lists are open and that it continues to accept applications for those PBV properties at waitlist.hacm.org.
3. Public Housing Waiting List (Open)
HACM’s Public Housing waiting list is open, with applications accepted online only at waitlist.hacm.org.
Public Housing is a federally subsidized program where tenants pay about 30% of income toward rent, but the unit is owned and managed by HACM.
Recent notices note that most available public housing units are one-bedroom apartments, and that larger units may be limited.
4. How to Apply for Open Waiting Lists
For any open waiting list (Public Housing or PBV), HACM requires online applications only. You will need:
- First and last name for all household members
- Date of birth for all household members
- Mailing address
- Social Security number
- Phone number (with area code)
- Email address
Applications can be completed on a computer, tablet, or smartphone. HACM notes that public libraries offer free computer access if you do not have a device at home.
Step-by-step waiting list basics: How to Apply for Section 8.
How to Check Your Section 8 Lottery Status in Milwaukee
If you submitted a pre-application for the Section 8 waiting list during the most recent opening:
- Check your email — HACM emailed all pre-applicants about whether they were selected for the HCV waiting list.
- Log into myportal.hacm.org — Use the credentials you created when you applied to check status and update contact information.
- Keep your information current — HACM emphasizes that applicants on waiting lists must keep contact details updated. If HACM cannot reach you, you may be removed from the waiting list.
If you no longer have your portal login, use password-reset options on the portal or contact HACM’s Rent Assistance Program for help. HACM’s main office is at 5011 W. Lisbon Ave; see hacm.org for current phone numbers.
People Also Ask: HACM Section 8 and Waiting Lists
Is the Section 8 waiting list open in Milwaukee right now?
No. HACM states that the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 Rent Assistance) waiting list remains closed after the recent lottery selection. HACM will announce any future openings through public notices, its website, social media, and press releases.
How do I know if I was selected in the HACM Section 8 lottery?
HACM completed the lottery and emailed everyone who pre-applied. You can also log into myportal.hacm.org to check your status and confirm your contact information is current.
Can I still apply for any HACM waiting lists?
Yes, but not for tenant-based Section 8. As of HACM’s latest notices:
- Section 8 tenant-based waiting list: closed
- Project-Based Voucher waiting lists: open at waitlist.hacm.org
- Public Housing waiting list: open at waitlist.hacm.org
You can also use the Apply for Housing section on hacm.org.
Why does HACM use a lottery for the Section 8 waiting list?
When HACM opens its Housing Choice Voucher list, thousands of people apply for a limited number of spots. A random lottery is used to choose who gets on the waitlist—a way to manage extreme demand so everyone who submits a valid pre-application in the window has the same chance of being drawn.
What’s the difference between tenant-based Section 8 and Project-Based Vouchers in Milwaukee?
| Tenant-based Section 8 (HCV) | Project-Based Vouchers | |
|---|---|---|
| Subsidy attached to | Household | Specific building/unit |
| If you move | Often portable with HACM approval | Subsidy stays with the unit |
| Waiting list (2026) | Closed after lottery | Open |
FAQs: HACM Section 8 and Milwaukee Affordable Housing
Who can apply for HACM’s subsidized housing programs?
Eligibility varies by program, but general standards for HACM waiting lists include:
- Head of Household must be at least 18 years old.
- Household income must be below set limits (for example, recent public-housing openings used thresholds up to 80% of Milwaukee County median income—such as about $57,200 for a one-person household and $81,700 for a four-person household, though limits are updated periodically).
- Applicants must provide identifying information for all household members and may be screened for criminal history, prior lease violations, and housing-program fraud, consistent with federal HUD rules.
See Section 8 income limits explained for how HUD limits work nationally.
How much of my income will I pay if I get Section 8 or public housing through HACM?
HACM states that participants in subsidized housing programs typically pay about 30% of their income for rent, whether in Section 8 Rent Assistance, Project-Based Vouchers, or Public Housing. The exact payment may vary with utility allowances and local policy.
What happens if I move or my household changes while I’m on a waiting list?
If your address, phone number, or email changes while you are on any HACM waiting list, you must update your information via myportal.hacm.org or by contacting the Rent Assistance Program.
If HACM cannot reach you when your name is selected, they may remove you from the waiting list. Changes in household composition must be reported in writing to the Rent Assistance Program.
How do I apply for HACM Public Housing in 2026?
The Public Housing waiting list is open; apply online only:
- Visit waitlist.hacm.org or the subsidized housing section on hacm.org.
- Provide names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, mailing address, phone, and email for the Head of Household and all members.
- Most HACM public-housing units are one-bedroom; larger units may be limited.
Where can I get help if I’m struggling with rent while I wait?
While you wait for long-term assistance:
- Contact HACM’s Rent Assistance Program at 5011 W. Lisbon Ave or via hacm.org for program information and referrals.
- Consult Wisconsin Law Help and local nonprofits for emergency rental assistance, legal help, and tenant-rights information.
- Monitor Affordable Housing Online and local news for other subsidized properties in Milwaukee County.
What Milwaukee Renters Should Do Next
If you applied for HACM’s Section 8 waiting list:
- Check your email and log into myportal.hacm.org to confirm whether you were selected in the lottery.
- If selected, keep your contact information updated and watch for notices from HACM—waits can still be long, but missing a letter or email can cost you your spot.
- If not selected, apply for open lists: Public Housing and Project-Based Vouchers at waitlist.hacm.org, and explore other rental-assistance resources while you wait for the next HCV opening.
Section 8 in Milwaukee is a long game: lottery-based openings, multi-year waits, and high demand are the norm. By understanding how HACM’s waitlists work and staying active on open lists, you give yourself the best chance of securing stable, subsidized housing when your turn comes.
Estimate your Section 8 eligibility for Milwaukee → · Milwaukee city page →
Sources
- HACM — Housing Authority of the City of Milwaukee
- HACM — My Portal (waiting list status)
- HACM — Online waiting list applications
- USAGov — Section 8 housing vouchers
- HUD — Housing Choice Voucher Program
- Affordable Housing Online — Wisconsin Section 8 waiting lists
- Wisconsin Law Help
- Section 8 Calculator — Waiting lists guide 2026 · What is Section 8?