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Frequently Asked Questions


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Office Hours are Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

Lobby Hours are Monday - Thursday 7:30 am - 4:30 pm

We are a scattered complex so not all of our units are close to all of the amenities listed. We are located within walking distance of Summit Medical Center, Bank OZK, the Van Buren Public Library, some schools, restaurants, gas stations, churches, shopping and drug stores. Within a short distance from VBHA you will find the Van Buren Police Department, court house, municipal complex, grocery stores, child care centers and the Pointer Football Field just to mention a few places.

Within walking distance:

  • Summit Medical Center
  • Bank of the OZK
  • Van Buren Public Library
  • Some schools
  • Restaurants
  • Service stations
  • Churches
  • Shopping
  • Drug stores

Within a short distance from us:

  • Court house
  • Municipal complex
  • Grocery stores
  • Child care centers
  • Pointer Football Field

1701 Chestnut Street, Van Buren, Arkansas 72956
Call 479-474-6901 for driving directions.

Yes. Poor credit does not automatically disqualify you from participation in the program. In most cases, your credit report is not a factor. We typically only consider negative history as it applies to previous landlords and local utility companies.

Yes. We are not able to house some people with criminal history related to domestic violence, drug charges and sex crimes.

You will need to bring the following items with you to your interview:

  • Original picture I.D. for all persons over 18
  • Original Social Security cards for all members of the household
  • Proof of current income
  • Six months of checking or savings account information
  • Rental references: name and address of landlords for the past 3 years
  • Official State Birth Certificates for children under 18 years of age
  • Marriage License, Divorce Decree or Separation Statement
  • Proof of any assets
  • All documents related to your pet (City tag, Rabies tag, shot records, Pet Service Agreement)

All applications are submitted online. Once you have submitted your application, you will be prompted to call the office to schedule the initial interview appointment. VBHA will email you a list of documents you must bring to the interview appointment. You must attend this appointment or reschedule before your appointment date. If you fail to attend the appointment, VBHA drop you from the Waitlist until you have completed the interview appointment. In addition, failure to schedule the appointment within 10 days will result in being removed from the Waitlist.

Application Process
Van Buren Housing Authority administers the Public Housing Program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The family must meet the low or extremely low-income guidelines published yearly by the Department of Urban Development (HUD):

1-person - $30,350   5-people - $46,850 
2-people - $34,700   6-people - $50,300
3-people - $39,050   7-people - $53,800
4-people - $43,350   8-people - $57,250

Yes. Once you have submitted a complete application, you will be prompted to call the office to schedule an application appointment.

The VBHA does not keep units open for viewing. Our maintenance staff works hard to prepare units as quickly as possible so that we may call the next person on the list. You will be given the opportunity to inspect the unit before you sign your lease agreement.

All units are furnished with:

  • Gas range
  • Refrigerator
  • Large pantry in kitchen
  • Plenty of kitchen cabinets
  • Washer and dryer hook-ups
  • Smoke alarm
  • Cable ready
  • Phone jacks
  • Some units are equipped with flip down windows
  • Plenty of closets
  • Outdoor locked storage units
  • Small patio

A bus shelter is provided for the school children at all sites.

All of the local schools have storm shelters.

We have 198 family units scattered throughout the complex.

  • 10 units are 1-bedroom at 600 sq. ft.
  • 14 units are 3-bedroom at 1057 sq. ft.
  • 4 units are 1-bedroom at 720 sq. ft.
  • 10 units are 3-bedroom at 1058 sq. ft.
  • 28 units are 2-bedroom at 816 sq. ft.
  • 2 units are 4-bedroom at 1232 sq. ft.
  • 12 units are 2-bedroom at 941 sq. ft.
  • 3 units are 4-bedroom at 1124 sq. ft.
  • 10 units are 2-bedroom at 921 sq. ft.
  • 1 unit is a 4-bedroom at 1130 sq. ft.
  • 28 units are 3-bedroom at 964 sq. ft.

Eight of the family units are designated as handicap apartments that are 100% handicap friendly. All of the Handicap units are equipped with:

  • Emergency call switches in the bathrooms and bedrooms.
  • Easy access to the kitchen, bathroom sinks, thermostat and light switched.
  • Roll-in shower stall with a hand held shower head.

1-person - $30,350   5-people - $46,850 
2-people - $34,700   6-people - $50,300
3-people - $39,050   7-people - $53,800
4-people - $43,350   8-people - $57,250

Having no income does not disqualify you for Public Housing. However, you will be required to demonstrate the ability to pay the minimum rent and utilities.

1-Bedroom 3-People are the maximum
2-Bedroom 5-People are the maximum
3-Bedroom 7-People are the maximum
4-Bedroom 9-People are the maximum

The Family Pet Deposit is $200.00. All pet deposits are due at move-in. All pets must meet the guidelines in the VBHA Pet Policy.

The wait on each list varies, and it is not possible to give you an exact time. It is best that you ask at the time you complete your application so we might give you an estimated answer based on where your application or name is on the waiting list. At this time the waitlist is exceptionally short. 

Public Housing (VBHA) has its own housing units which it offers to applicants. Section 8 Housing is where the applicant has to find a house or apartment that accepts vouchers. The VBHA does not accept Section 8 Vouchers. The Crawford County Section 8 phone number is 479-474-0512.

The VBHA does not keep units open for viewing. Our maintenance staff works hard to prepare units as quickly as possible so that we may call the next person on the list. You will be given the opportunity to inspect the unit before you sign your lease agreement.

Rent is based on 30% of the adjusted income. VBHA has a minimum rent of $50.

One Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $417 per month.
Two Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $549 per month.
Three Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $760 per month.
Four Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $897 per month.

The tenant pays the gas and electric and VBHA pays for the water, sewer and trash removal.

1 Bedroom - $200
2 Bedroom - $250
3 Bedroom - $300
4 Bedroom - $350

Rent is based on 30% of the adjusted income. VBHA has a minimum rent of $50.

One Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $442 per month.
Two Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $582 per month.
Three Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $809 per month.
Four Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $942 per month.

The water and trash are included, you will be required to pay gas and electric.