With only a few days before the deadline expires, only a third of the more than 900 people to pick up applications for public housing earlier this month have mailed them back.

The Suffolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority is still looking for the return of more than 600 applications for the city’s public housing waiting list.

The agency opened its waiting list for housing this month for the first time in three years. Staff handed out 903 applications in drive-through operations Nov. 9-10 and Nov. 16-17.

“I think the process actually went pretty smooth,” SRHA Executive Director Clarissa McAdoo told the authority’s board of directors at its Tuesday meeting. “The support of the police was very good. I don’t think we could have done it without them.”

Despite the cold weather, plenty of people came to stand in line or drive through to receive an application — something McAdoo said indicated a pressing need.

“From the numbers, it’s definitely a need for affordable housing in our city,” she said.

So far, only 304 completed applications have been received by mail, McAdoo added.

Those who did not receive applications earlier still can download them from the authority’s website, www.suffolkrha.org.

Only about 244 names remained last month on a waiting list that last was opened in November 2007. At the end of that process, about 1,300 families were on the waiting list, occupancy specialist Toni Mills said last month.

“We like to keep a pool of eligible families that can move in once an apartment becomes available,” she said.

To be eligible for public housing, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal alien residents, and their annual gross income cannot exceed eligible limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The limits vary based on family size.

Regardless of whether they are picked up in person or printed from the website, all completed applications must be mailed to the authority, 530 E. Pinner St., Suffolk, VA 23434, and be postmarked by Nov. 30. Applications postmarked later will not be accepted.

For more information, call SRHA at 539-2100.