Complete Guide to Section 8 & Public Housing in North Carolina
North Carolina has 123 housing authorities managing a combined 548 waiting lists across Section 8 (HCV), Public Housing, and Project-Based Voucher programs. Currently, 170 of those lists are accepting applications — an open rate of approximately 31%. This data was last verified on Aug 30, 2026.
North Carolina's affordable housing landscape involves 123 housing authorities managing a total of 461 waiting lists across the state. Currently, 131 of these lists are open, representing a 28% open rate, while 247 lists are closed. The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) serves as the state housing agency, contributing to affordable housing efforts statewide.
Those seeking housing assistance in North Carolina can explore various program types. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program has 123 lists, with 13 currently open. Public Housing programs offer the most open opportunities with 61 open lists out of 119 total. Additionally, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) have 18 open lists from 51 total, Mainstream programs have 2 open lists from 36, and Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) programs have 5 open lists from 29. Other programs such as Affordable Housing and Multi-Family programs also show open lists.
When considering where to apply, applicants should note geographical variations. While major cities like Charlotte and Raleigh typically experience high demand for their Public Housing Authority programs, agencies in rural North Carolina often present shorter wait times and more frequent openings. For example, Lumberton has 3 housing authorities with 1 open list, Andrews has 2 housing authorities with 2 open lists, Greenville has 2 housing authorities with 3 open lists, and Hendersonville has 2 housing authorities with 2 open lists. Recent activity demonstrates the dynamic nature of these lists: the City of Hickory Public Housing Authority in Hickory recently opened its Public Housing list, and the Pembroke Housing Authority in Pembroke also changed its Public Housing list from closed to open. Conversely, the Housing Authority of the Town of Beaufort in Beaufort changed its Public Housing list from open to closed, highlighting the importance of timely application.
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The affordable housing programs tracked in North Carolina include Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) (16 open), Public Housing (63 open), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) (23 open), Mainstream (1 open), RAD (3 open), VASH. Each program has its own eligibility criteria, application process, and wait times. In most cases, applicants can apply to multiple program types at the same housing authority, and there is no limit to the number of housing authorities you can apply to statewide.
The cities with the most open waitlists in North Carolina right now are Statesville (19), Burlington (10), Williamston (7), Wilson (6), and Hickory (5) . Applicants who are flexible about location will generally receive assistance sooner than those who apply to a single waitlist in a high-demand area.
Latest opening: Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington — Public Housing (closes May 5, 2020)
Eligibility Requirements for North Carolina
To qualify for assistance in North Carolina, applicants must meet specific income and household criteria set by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA).
- Income: Below HUD local limits
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen or eligible legal status
- Background: Criminal background check required
- Residency: Preferences often given to locals
Real-Time Data Verification
Section 8 Waitlist aggregates data from official North Carolina legal notices, government press releases, and PHA portal updates. Every listing is cross-referenced with North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) to ensure that families receive accurate information for low-income programs.