ATLANTIC CITY-- In the midst of national financial uncertainty, residents throughout Atlantic County looking for affordable housing were unable to apply. Times are hard for many and were made even harder for some today, due to a limited number of applications being accepted. As Jennifer Husko finds out, these angry residents want answers to the economic crisis right here in their own backyard.

Nearly 500 residents from around Atlantic County spent hours outside the Altman Terrace on Arctic and Pennsylvania Avenues waiting for the opportunity to fill out one of 150 available Section 8 housing assistance applications that opened up.

"There was an article in the paper on how to sign up to receive section eight housing, it was supposed to be 9 to 4."

Those who camped out since last night, say they didn't even have a chance. "I think the way they had it organized wasn't the right way some people was here early, still didn't get in."

"Clearly the ad makes it apparent that once 150 number is reached, no more applications will be taken," said Executive Director of the Atlantic City Housing Authority, Dennis Ricci.

But confusion and mayhem continued as people in the crowd fought over their spots.

"People are out here asking for help and they're getting nothing."

In search of answers, they marched their dissatisfaction all the way to city hall.

But the housing authority believes the root of the problem is in Washington D.C. "We're sorry for any inconvenience it may have caused them, clearly, but again, the real problem is in Washington, the real problem is that there's not enough funding for section eight program where we have to limit the number of applications that we take in," said Ricci.

The Housing Authority said today's reaction to the application process shows the growing need for affordable housing in Atlantic City and residents say more needs to be done on both the state and federal level. "The economy is in the basement, people can't feed their families."

"They have promised us money for housing here, they have not delivered their promise."

The Housing Authority says they are doing the best they can with the funding that's provided. "Very difficult circumstances, we have a number of people who need housing in area, need affordable housing and we just don't have enough federal funding to satisfy that need," said Ricci.

Residents will continue to cry out, the only way they know how. "We need help and we need help now."

The Atlantic City Housing Authority is not accepting any additional applications at this time.

The Authority is currently in the process of switching to a new online software based application process, in an effort to avoid a similar situation in the future.