Where to Start Looking for Low Income Housing in North Carolina

In North Carolina, low income housing comes through three main routes: public housing managed by local housing authorities, Section 8 vouchers that help you rent from a private landlord, and affordable apartments built or funded through state and federal programs. Each route has its own waiting list, its own timeline, and its own rules about income and family size. The fastest way to find out which programs are open in your area is to contact your local housing authority — they manage public housing and Section 8 in your county and can tell you when ready whether they are taking new applications.

North Carolina has 75 local housing authorities spread across the state. Your housing authority's name usually includes your county name — for example, the Durham Housing Authority or the Wake County Housing Authority. You can find yours by searching "[your county] housing authority" online, or by calling 211 (a free referral line) and asking for housing resources in your area. When you call, have your county name ready and ask which programs have open waiting lists right now.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local housing authority manages both public housing and Section 8 vouchers in your county, and they can tell you in one phone call which programs are currently open.
  • Public housing is owned and run by the housing authority; Section 8 vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and the program pays part of your rent.
  • North Carolina's waiting lists for both programs are often years long, so you can explore even if you do not need housing when ready.
  • Income limits vary by program and by family size, but generally you must earn less than 50 to 80 percent of your area's median income.
  • The state also funds affordable apartments through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, which maintains a searchable list of properties.

Public Housing Versus Section 8 Vouchers

Public housing means you rent an apartment or house owned by your local housing authority. The authority sets the rent (usually 30 percent of your income), handles maintenance and repairs, and can evict you if you break the lease. Public housing is managed by the authority itself, so there is no private landlord involved. Waiting lists for public housing in North Carolina range from a few months to several years depending on your county and the size of unit you need.

Section 8 vouchers work differently: the program gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent, and you find your own apartment from a private landlord who agrees to accept Section 8. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent (usually 30 percent of your income), and the program pays the landlord directly. Section 8 gives you more choice in where you live, but you have to find a landlord willing to participate, and the waiting lists are often longer than public housing — sometimes five to ten years in larger counties.

Both programs require you to meet income limits and pass a background check. Both also require you to live in the county where you explore. If you move to a different county, you may be able to transfer your voucher or public housing lease, but you will need to contact the new county's housing authority to arrange it.

how the process works Through Your Local Housing Authority

Most North Carolina housing authorities now accept applications online through their websites. Some still accept paper applications by mail or in person. When you call your local housing authority, ask whether they are currently taking applications and which method they use. Have these documents ready before you explore: a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of residency in the county (a utility bill or lease), and Social Security numbers for everyone in your household.

The process itself asks for your household size, income, employment history, and rental history. You will also be asked whether you have any criminal convictions, evictions, or housing violations. Be honest on the process — the housing authority will run a background check anyway, and lying can disqualify you. If you have a criminal record or eviction history, you are not automatically rejected; the authority considers the nature of the offense, how long ago it happened, and whether you have addressed the underlying issue.

After you submit your process, you will be placed on a waiting list in order of the date you applied (or sometimes by priority if you are homeless, fleeing domestic violence, or have other urgent needs). The housing authority will contact you when a unit becomes available or when it is your turn to be interviewed. This can take months or years. Once you are offered a unit, you have a limited time to accept it — usually a few days — so make sure the housing authority has your current phone number and email.

Income Limits and What Counts as Income

To be considered for public housing or Section 8 in North Carolina, your household income must fall below a certain limit. That limit depends on your family size and the county you live in. Generally, the limit is 50 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). For example, in Wake County a family of four might have an income limit around $45,000 to $50,000 per year, but in a rural county it could be lower. Your local housing authority can tell you the exact limit for your family size.

Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and unemployment benefits. It does not include food stamps, Medicaid, or most one-time payments. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns for the past two years. If you receive irregular income (seasonal work, gig work), the housing authority averages it over the past 12 months. If your income changes after you are approved, you must report it — your rent may go up, but you will not lose your housing.

Finding Affordable Apartments Outside the Housing Authority

North Carolina also has affordable apartments built or funded through programs run by the state and federal government. These are not public housing and do not require a Section 8 voucher. Instead, the building owner has agreed to keep rents low in exchange for tax credits or grants. You explore directly to the building, not to the housing authority. Income limits and rent prices vary by building.

The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency maintains a searchable database of affordable rental properties at nchfa.com. You can search by county, city, or zip code and see which buildings have units available, what the income limits are, and how to contact the landlord. Many buildings have their own waiting lists. Some accept applications year-round; others only during certain periods. The database tells you how the process works for each property.

Another way to find affordable apartments is through community action agencies and nonprofit housing organizations in your area. These groups often know about properties that are not widely advertised and can help you with the process process. You can find a community action agency near you by calling 211 or searching "community action agency [your county]" online.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you are approved for public housing or Section 8, you move to the next stage. For public housing, the housing authority will contact you when a unit matching your family size becomes available. You will be asked to come in for a final interview and sign a lease. The lease is a legal contract between you and the housing authority. It sets out your rights and responsibilities — for example, you must keep the unit clean, pay rent on time, and follow all house rules. If you break the lease, the housing authority can evict you.

For Section 8, once you are approved you receive a voucher that is good for a set period (usually 120 days). During that time, you search for an apartment, negotiate with the landlord, and have the landlord contact the housing authority to make sure the unit meets program standards. The housing authority inspects the unit and approves the lease. Only then does the voucher become active and the program starts paying the landlord. If you do not find an apartment within the voucher period, you can usually request an extension.

In both cases, you will have to pay a move-in fee or deposit, and you will need to provide proof of income and pass a background check before you move in. The housing authority or landlord will tell you what documents to bring.

Waiting Lists, Preferences, and How Long It Takes

Waiting lists in North Carolina vary widely by county. In rural areas, you might get a unit within a year. In larger cities like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro, waiting lists for Section 8 can be five to ten years long, and public housing waiting lists can be two to five years. Some housing authorities close their waiting lists when they become too long and reopen them periodically. This is why it is important to call your local authority and ask whether they are currently taking applications.

Some housing authorities give preference to certain groups — for example, people who are homeless, people fleeing domestic violence, people with disabilities, or people who work in the county. If you fall into one of these categories, tell the housing authority when you explore. Preference does not mean you will be approved, but it may move you higher on the waiting list. Ask your housing authority which preferences they use.

While you are on the waiting list, your circumstances may change — you might move, get a new job, or have another child. You must report these changes to the housing authority. Some changes (like a move) may require you to reapply or transfer to a different waiting list. Other changes (like a new job) just affect your rent calculation once you are approved. Keep your contact information current with the housing authority so they can reach you when a unit becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists at the same time. If you are approved for one before the other, you can accept it and stay on the other list in case something better becomes available. However, once you move into public housing or use a Section 8 voucher, you must leave the other waiting list or you will lose your spot.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

You are not automatically rejected. The housing authority considers what the offense was, when it happened, and what you have done since. Violent crimes, drug dealing, and recent evictions are harder to overcome, but many people with records are approved. Be honest on your process — the authority will find out anyway through the background check.

Do I have to pay rent if I am on public housing or Section 8?

Yes. Your rent is usually 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum (often $25 to $50 per month). Section 8 vouchers cover part of the rent, but you pay the difference. Public housing rent goes to the housing authority. If you cannot pay rent, you can be evicted.

Can I move to a different county if I have a Section 8 voucher?

Yes, but you need permission from your housing authority first. You can request a "portability transfer" to use your voucher in a different county. The new county's housing authority must agree to administer your voucher. The process takes time, so contact both authorities before you move.

What if the waiting list in my county is closed?

Call your housing authority every few months to ask when they will reopen applications. Some authorities reopen their lists once a year; others do it less often. You can also explore affordable apartments through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency database or contact a community action agency for other options in your area.