Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to PHAs, long waiting periods are common. Each PHA has the discretion to establish local preferences to reflect the housing needs and priorities of its particular community. Preferences include characteristics like families experiencing homelessness, veterans, and victims of domestic violence and natural disasters. Families who qualify for any local preferences move ahead of other families on the waiting list. PHAs may also limit the number of applicants that may qualify for any local preference.