The Housing Authority of the City of Forest
A HUD-recognized Public Housing Authority serving Forest, MS and surrounding communities. Below you’ll find current contact information, the federal programs this authority administers, and what to expect when you apply.
- Address
- 518 N Fourth Ave, Forest, MS 39074
- Phone
- (601) 469-1342
- jwilliams@forestha.com
- Programs
- Public Housing
- Public Housing units
- 77
- Section 8 vouchers
- 0
- Total subsidized households
- 77
About The Housing Authority of the City of Forest
The Housing Authority of the City of Forest is a Public Housing Authority headquartered in Forest, MS. The authority is funded primarily through annual contributions and capital grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and like every other PHA in the country it operates under a HUD-approved Annual Plan that spells out its admissions policies, waiting list preferences, rent rules, and capital improvement priorities. As of the most recent published HUD data, The Housing Authority of the City of Forest manages approximately 77 public housing units and 0 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers — a combined total of about 77 assisted households.
Public housing units owned and operated by The Housing Authority of the City of Forest typically rent for 30% of the household’s adjusted gross income, with HUD’s operating subsidy covering the gap between what residents pay and the actual cost of running the property. Section 8 vouchers, by contrast, allow eligible families to rent privately owned apartments anywhere in the authority’s jurisdiction (and often portably across the United States), with the authority paying a portion of the rent directly to the landlord each month.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted directly to The Housing Authority of the City of Forest — not to HUD, and not to Housing Ledger. Call the authority at (601) 469-1342 to confirm whether their waiting lists are currently open and to ask which application format (online portal, mailed paper application, or in-person intake appointment) is required. Be prepared to provide:
- Government-issued photo ID for every adult in your household.
- Social Security cards (or proof of application) for every household member, regardless of age.
- Birth certificates for all children.
- Proof of all sources of household income for the last 30 to 60 days — pay stubs, Social Security award letters, child support records, unemployment statements, etc.
- Information about your current housing situation, including your landlord’s name and contact information.
- If applicable: documentation of disability, veteran status, or any local preference category that applies to your household.
What Happens After You Apply
Once your pre-application is accepted, you’ll receive a written confirmation with your placement on the waiting list. The authority will reach out when your name nears the top — this can take anywhere from a few months to several years depending on local demand and any preferences you qualify for. While you wait, the most important thing is to keep your contact information current with the authority. If The Housing Authority of the City of Forest sends you a letter and it bounces back undelivered, your name can be removed from the waiting list and you may need to start the application process from scratch.
When you reach the top of the list, the authority will schedule an eligibility interview to verify income, household composition, and rental history. Assuming you qualify, you’ll either receive a unit assignment in one of The Housing Authority of the City of Forest’s public housing developments, or be issued a Section 8 voucher you can use to rent from any landlord in the authority’s jurisdiction who agrees to participate in the program.
Your Rights as an Applicant or Resident
Federal law protects you from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability when you apply for housing assistance. If you believe The Housing Authority of the City of Forest or any of its participating landlords has discriminated against you, you can file a fair housing complaint with HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity within one year of the alleged violation. Our resources page includes contact information for HUD’s fair housing hotline and other legal aid organizations.