The El Paso Housing Authority will stop accepting applications altogether until they can take care of the thousands already on its waiting list

Almost 18,000 people in El Paso need help finding a home. Those thousands have already filled out applications with the housing authority but some still have till April 1 to put their name on a waiting list.

"In public housing, we have about 12,000 families. Right now in Section 8 (we have) 3,000 to 4,000 and in Section 8 New Construction, (we have) over 1,500 to 2,000," said El Paso Housing Authority CEO Gerald Chicon.

Even though there are already more applicants than there are homes available, those still wanting to register before the April 1 deadline don't have to deal with any specific requirements for the program other than having a low income.

This isn't the first time the Housing Authority has had to stop accepting applications. So many people are currently on the list that the wait time has gone from three to four years to five and six.

Depending on the person applying and availability, wait time could be shorter.

"It varies actually on bedroom size," said Chicon.

For the last six years,  Carmen Lopez has lived in public housing, but she remembers the struggle just to get on the wait list.

"The way that I actually, literally camped outside the building, I got here at 4 in the afternoon and they opened the doors at 8 in the morning. Just to be one of the 200 participants to be able to get an application to be a part of the program," Lopez said.

She also told KFOX 14 she was on a waiting list for four years. KFOX14 asked how she managed to wait all that time.

"Just wait on the list for four years and wait and hang in there. It's kind of sad because it's very hard out here, especially for parents like me. I'm a single mother. I have to struggle a lot," she said. 

Although the Housing Authority will no longer accept applications after April 1, Cichon said those interested should keep checking its status online because periodically they could reopen.

To apply for the Section 8 New Construction program click on this link and pick one of the listed locations.
http://www.hacep.org/section_8_construction.sstg

Meanwhile Cichon told KFOX14 the Housing Authority is looking to create more homes.

"We started a pubic private partnership in order to explore tax credits for the creation of a new community on George Dieter," he said.

The Housing Authority is competing for funds but already have plans ready to go.

"It's going to be about 188 units. Currently there's 10 public housing units there," Cichon said.

The El Paso Housing Authority should know if they received the funds for the new east side community by the end of summer.