What North Carolina offers and who runs it

North Carolina has three main paths to income-based housing: the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, public housing managed by local housing authorities, and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties that rent below market rate. Section 8 is the largest program — it gives you a voucher to use at any landlord who accepts it, and you pay 30 percent of your income toward rent while the program covers the rest. Public housing is owned and operated directly by housing authorities in your county. LIHTC properties are privately owned apartments and homes built or preserved with tax credits, and they set their own rents based on income limits.

Each program is run by a different body. Section 8 vouchers are administered by your local public housing authority (PHA) — there are 70 across the state, one per county or region. Public housing is also run by the same local authorities. LIHTC properties are owned by private developers and nonprofits, but the state's North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) tracks which ones exist and what their income limits are. You do not explore to NCHFA directly; you contact the property owner.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 vouchers in North Carolina are administered by your county's public housing authority, and most counties have waiting lists that are currently closed or years long.
  • Your income must fall below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Section 8, and the exact dollar amount depends on your county and household size.
  • Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties offer another path and do not always have waiting lists, though their income limits and rents vary by property.
  • You will need proof of income, a Social Security number or ITIN for each household member, and a background check for Section 8 and public housing.
  • If your local housing authority's waiting list is closed, contact your county's 211 service or the NCHFA to find LIHTC properties or other programs in your area.

Income limits by county and household size

North Carolina divides the state into areas with different median incomes, so the dollar amount you can earn and still be within the income limit depends on where you live. For Section 8, your household income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI). A single person in rural counties might have a limit around $24,000 to $28,000 per year, while a single person in the Charlotte or Raleigh metro areas could have a limit closer to $32,000 to $36,000. A family of four in a rural area might have a limit around $38,000 to $45,000, while the same family in Charlotte could be around $51,000 to $57,000.

These numbers change every year, usually in April, and they vary by the specific county or metro area you live in. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) publishes the official limits each year, and your local housing authority posts them on its website or can tell you over the phone. LIHTC properties use a different calculation — they typically serve households at 50 to 60 percent AMI, but some serve lower-income households at 30 percent AMI. The property itself sets the exact limit, so you need to check with each one.

How to find your local housing authority and check waiting list status

Your first step is to contact the public housing authority that serves your county. North Carolina has 70 housing authorities — some cover a single county, others cover multiple counties. You can find yours by searching "[your county name] public housing authority" or by calling your county's main phone line and asking for the housing authority. Many authorities now list their contact information and waiting list status on their websites.

Most North Carolina housing authorities have closed or very long waiting lists for Section 8 vouchers. Some have not opened their lists in years. If your local authority's list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen — some authorities reopen every few years, others do not have a timeline. While you wait, ask the authority about public housing units in your county, which sometimes have shorter waits. You can also ask for a referral to LIHTC properties or other programs. If the authority cannot help, call your county's 211 service (dial 2-1-1 from any phone) and ask about income-based housing options in your area.

Documents you will need for Section 8 or public housing

When you contact your housing authority to explore, have these documents ready or be prepared to gather them quickly. You will need proof of income for the past 30 days — a recent pay stub, a letter from your employer, or a benefits statement if you receive unemployment, Social Security, or disability. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years. You will also need a photo ID for the head of household and a Social Security number or ITIN for every person in your household, including children.

The housing authority will run a background check, so be prepared to disclose any criminal history. You will need to provide your rental history — the names and contact information of landlords from the past two years. If you have an eviction on your record, you may still be able to explore, but some authorities have policies that disqualify you if the eviction is recent (usually within the past three to five years). Ask your authority about its specific policy. You will also need to provide information about any assets you own, such as bank accounts or vehicles, because some programs count assets toward income.

What happens after you explore and how long it takes

Once you submit your process, the housing authority will verify your income, check your background, and contact your previous landlords. This process usually takes four to eight weeks, though it can be longer if the authority is processing many applications or if they need to follow up with you for missing documents. You will receive a letter telling you whether you have been approved, placed on a waiting list, or denied.

If you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, you do not receive the voucher when ready. You go on an active waiting list, and the authority calls you when a voucher becomes available — this can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. Once you receive your voucher, you have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a landlord who accepts Section 8 and sign a lease. The housing authority then inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards, and if it passes, the program begins paying your landlord. If you are approved for public housing, the authority will contact you when a unit becomes available in your area.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties as an alternative

If your local housing authority's waiting list is closed or very long, LIHTC properties offer another option. These are apartment complexes and single-family homes built or preserved with federal tax credits, and they rent to households below certain income limits. North Carolina has hundreds of LIHTC properties across the state. Unlike Section 8, you do not explore through a central waiting list — you contact the property directly and explore the same way you would for any rental.

LIHTC properties have their own income limits and rent amounts, which vary by property. Some serve households at 30 percent AMI (very low income), others at 50 or 60 percent AMI. You can search for LIHTC properties by county on the NCHFA website or by calling NCHFA at 1-877-NCHFA-1 (1-877-624-3521) and asking for a list of properties in your area. When you contact a property, ask about current availability, the income limit, the rent amount, and what documents you need to bring. Many LIHTC properties do not have waiting lists, so you may be able to move in faster than through Section 8.

What disqualifies you or makes approval harder

Income above the limit for your area and household size is the main disqualifier. If you earn more than 50 percent AMI for Section 8, you will not be approved, and there is no exception. A recent eviction — usually within the past three to five years — will disqualify you from most programs, though some authorities consider the circumstances. A felony conviction related to drug use may disqualify you from public housing and Section 8, though the authority must look at how long ago it was and whether you have rehabilitated. Outstanding criminal charges or warrants will also disqualify you.

Owing money to a previous housing authority or having unpaid rent judgments against you can disqualify you. If you have bad credit or a history of not paying rent, you may still be approved for Section 8 or public housing, but you will have a harder time finding a landlord who accepts the voucher. Some landlords are reluctant to rent to Section 8 tenants, and discrimination is illegal but still happens — if a landlord refuses you because of your voucher, you can file a complaint with HUD's Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for Section 8 if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have a green card to be the head of household on a Section 8 lease. Other household members can be non-citizens, but they must have a Social Security number or ITIN. If you are undocumented, you cannot receive a voucher, but you may be able to rent an LIHTC property if the owner does not require citizenship.

What if I am currently homeless or living in a shelter?

You can explore for Section 8 and public housing while homeless. Some housing authorities prioritize homeless applicants. Bring whatever documents you have — if you do not have a current address, use the shelter's address or a mailing address where you can receive mail. Ask the authority about rapid rehousing or emergency housing programs in your county, which may move faster than Section 8.

Do I have to pay an process fee?

No. Section 8 and public housing applications are free. If anyone asks you to pay to explore, they are running a scam. LIHTC properties may charge an process fee like any other rental, usually $25 to $50, but this is separate from the housing program itself.

Can I explore to more than one housing authority at the same time?

Yes. If you live near the border of two counties or if multiple authorities serve your area, you can explore to each one. However, once you receive a voucher from one authority, you must accept it or you may lose your place on all waiting lists, so understand the rules before explore to multiple authorities.

What happens to my Section 8 voucher if I move to a different state?

You can transfer your voucher to another state, but the process takes time and the new housing authority must have available vouchers. Contact your current authority at least 30 days before you plan to move and ask about the transfer process. The new authority will place you on their waiting list, and you may wait months before you can use the voucher in the new state.