Learn About North Carolina Section 8 Housing Lists
A Section 8 housing list in North Carolina can be a useful resource if you have been granted a housing choice voucher and are looking for a place to rent. In certain situations, your voucher may be used where you currently live. However, it may be necessary to look through Section 8 listings if you want or need to move. These lists are available from both third-party organizations and from local public housing agencies (PHA) in the state.
There are various low income apartments for rent in North Carolina, many of which are advertised through different sources. While certain PHAs provide official housing lists that you can sort through, others do not. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to find a suitable rental unit where you can use your voucher. Read below to learn more about homes for rent that accept Section 8 and find tips for your apartment search.
What is an approved Section 8 housing list in North Carolina?
Finding Section 8 approved housing for rent in North Carolina may be challenging. Luckily, certain PHAs provide official housing lists with rental options.
Housing authorities typically maintain their own up-to-date information on available rentals. Moreover, some PHAs partner with local landlords to advertise rentals that accept vouchers.
If your housing authority has its own portal, this list may be found on a webpage for tenants. You may also receive an informational packet with approved listings once you are granted a voucher. Other times, a PHA will direct you to use third-party apartment for rent apps or websites that have been approved.
In case your local PHA does provide an official list of rental properties, these units may be prescreened to meet the program requirements. However, there is no guarantee that the apartment you choose will meet the quality standards just because it is found on an official source.
Keep in mind that, because each PHA is run separately, there is no standard list of low income apartments for rent that every housing authority uses. Furthermore, not all PHAs will give you a list of units to look through at all.
If this is the case, you can also use resources available from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Generally, HUD homes for rent listings are provided on the department’s website. You can use this resource to locate the following:
- Multifamily units
- Single-family homes
- Townhomes
Note: Some Section 8 rental listings include units that are located in public housing projects. Under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, you do not need to use your rental assistance in a public housing unit. You have the freedom to rent any acceptable unit on the open market.
Other Ways to Find Section 8 Listings in North Carolina
Finding Section 8 approved housing for rent can be more challenging if your housing authority does not provide you with an official list. However, there are other ways to locate a unit for rent.
If you do not receive official Section 8 listings in North Carolina, you can still use a variety of websites and apps to find affordable housing. These resources can be good places to start, even if your PHA does not specifically endorse the sites listing apartments for rent that accept Section 8.
When using a Section 8 housing list, it is important to remember that the resource may include a wide range of property types. Some units may not accept Section 8 or be open to anyone looking for a low-rent apartment. Therefore, it is important to read each listing carefully. Find more tips for using Section 8 rental listings by downloading our comprehensive guide.
Quality Standards for Section 8 Approved Housing in North Carolina
When going through a Section 8 housing list, remember that the unit you choose must meet certain requirements. A rental will not necessarily be acceptable just because it is found on a housing list. The unit you rent must:
- Be leased by a landlord who will take Section 8.
- Meet health and safety standards, as defined by your PHA.
- Have enough space or bedrooms for your family.
The PHA will inspect the unit before you can move forward with a lease. Once you move into a rental property, the housing authority will also do annual inspections to ensure that it still meets the quality standards.
Tips to Help You Find Low Income Apartments for Rent in North Carolina
Finding homes for rent that accept Section 8 in North Carolina can be difficult at times. Not all landlords are willing to accept these HUD vouchers, and not all rental units are able to pass a PHA inspection.
Furthermore, most North Carolina Section 8 listings can be accessed by anyone, not just people who have been approved for a voucher. Consequently, this can create more competition when looking for a unit to rent.
In addition, be mindful that GoSection8 active listings may include rentals that do not require applicants to hold a voucher. As a result, there may be several different residents interested in the same unit at any given time.
When looking through Section 8 rental listings, it is important to consider all of your options. Additionally, when conducting an online search, you may use filters to narrow your results and find exactly what you are looking for. Many rental websites allow you to filter results based on:
- The type of housing, such as an apartment, single-family home or townhome.
- Your preferred number of bedrooms and bathrooms.
- The maximum amount of rent you can pay.
- Amenities and services available with the unit.
Depending on where you lived when you applied for assistance, you may need to look for housing in a specific area. If you do not currently live within the jurisdiction of the PHA that issued your voucher, you must move to that PHA’s service area for the first 12 months that you receive assistance.
After the first year, you are free to move anywhere. This requirement does not apply if you already live in the area served by the PHA that issued your voucher.