The Housing Authority of Washington County (HAWC) has three rental programs: we administer the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, we own a limited number of single-family homes that can accommodate families, and we manage six senior and one non-senior apartment communities.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HCV program (Section 8) is a rental assistance program that uses federal funds to subsidize rents for lower-income individuals and families. These subsidies are provided to eligible families so that they can afford decent, safe, affordable housing. You can apply for a housing choice voucher by clicking here.
The amount of rent charged to those holding housing choice vouchers varies according to the applicant’s verified income and allowed deductions from that income. HAWC staff can help applicants estimate their rental costs once they have been accepted into the program. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development contributes set amounts (“allowances”) toward utility costs.
HAWC currently has a waitlist for housing choice vouchers and a separate waitlist for units in our apartment communities. We rank applicants on our waitlists according to their date of application and preference point score. Preference points are awarded based on factors established by the HAWC Board of Commissioners. Those with more “preference points” will rank higher.
Seniors usually begin by checking the availability of units in HAWC’s senior communities. There is generally a wait of one to four years for these apartments.
Prospective tenants who are under the age of 62 and seniors who are interested in apartments outside HAWC’s senior communities should check the listings in the free state-wide Rental Housing Locator for Maryland sponsored by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
Housing Choice Voucher holders who would like to move must complete a Tenant Notice of Intent to Move form. Tenants who leave a property without giving advance notice are considered to have abandoned the property, and they will lose their Housing Choice Vouchers.
HAWC rents 30 single-family homes with 3-4 bedrooms each in scattered locations across Washington County. Families who are on the Housing Choice Voucher Program or waitlist receive priority, as assigned using the eligibility criteria for our waitlist.
HAWC now offers 17 one-bedroom apartments in Hagerstown, MD. Each unit features a fully equipped kitchen, living room and 1 bathroom. Constructed in 1971, this 3 level building is conveniently located near Valley Mall Shopping Center with plenty of off-street parking.
Tanglewood Court
11217 Tanglewood Court Apts.
Hagerstown, MD 21740
17 one-bedroom apartments
HAWC currently owns or manages 268 affordable rental units in six senior communities in the county, all of which accept Housing Choice Vouchers. Our senior communities include units that were designed to be accessible to individuals with a disability and allow easier access for tenants who use a wheelchair.
Schoolhouse Manor
21 School House Court
Boonsboro, MD 21713
32 one-bedroom unit
Francis Murphy Senior Apts
20014 Rosebank Way
Hagerstown, MD 21742
120 units
Blue Mountain Estates
29 Blue Mountain Estates
Smithsburg, MD 21783
28 one-bedroom units
Parkview Knoll
219 Otho Holland Drive
Williamsport, MD 21795
28 one-bedroom units
Springfield Manor
351 Coneflower Drive
Williamsport, MD 21795
36 one-bedroom units