About City of Hickory Public Housing Authority

The City of Hickory Public Housing Authority (PHA Code: NC056) provides housing assistance in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina.

Currently, the Authority is accepting applications for Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.), Mainstream, and Public Housing programs. Notably, both the Public Housing and Mainstream waiting lists recently changed from closed to open.

Eligibility for these programs is based on income. For instance, a family of four must meet Very Low Income limits, currently set at $38,800 per year for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA area. Prospective applicants are advised to review specific eligibility requirements and application procedures with the City of Hickory Public Housing Authority to determine suitability.

Affordable Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

No application fees. Requires household member information (name, DOB, SSN, income) and documentation like SSN cards, photo IDs, birth certificates, income proof, and bank statements.

Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online or In-person

Additional Notes

Applications are accepted for affordable housing; eligibility is determined by income limits and criminal background checks.

Mainstream Voucher Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Eligibility requires being between 18 and 61 years old, disabled, and experiencing homelessness, or having previously experienced homelessness and now in permanent supportive/rapid rehousing, or at risk of institutionalization/homelessness. Eligibility is also based on income limits and criminal background checks.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Apr 3, 2026

How to Apply

In-person

Additional Notes

The waitlist is open for 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom income-based units.

Other Programs

5 programs

These programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

When previously open, applications were accepted in person, and preferences included Elderly/Disabled (2 points).

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Other
Closed

This waiting list for 1 and 2-Bedroom Elderly and Disabled apartments at West Hickory Apartments last accepted applications from March 2, 2020, until April 30, 2020.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Other Senior and Disabled
Closed

For 1 and 2-Bedroom Elderly and Disabled apartments at West Hickory Apartments. Preferences not confirmed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Other Senior and Disabled Waiting List
Closed

This waiting list is for 1 and 2-Bedroom Elderly and Disabled apartments at West Hickory Apartments. Applications were last accepted at the CHPHA main office. Preferences have not yet been confirmed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
other
Closed

This waiting list is for 1 and 2-bedroom Elderly and Disabled apartments at West Hickory Apartments; preferences have not yet been confirmed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

Public Housing Opened 6 days ago
Public Housing Closed Apr 6, 2026
Public Housing Opened Apr 4, 2026
Mainstream Opened Mar 20, 2026
Mainstream Closed Mar 18, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 2, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 26, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 19, 2026
Mainstream Opened Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 19, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official City of Hickory Public Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 841 S Center St
City Hickory, NC 28602
PHA Code NC056

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

City of Hickory Public Housing Authority currently has 4 open waiting lists (Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.), Mainstream, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $38,800/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official City of Hickory Public Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wait times vary from 6 months to over 5 years depending on local demand and funding. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority

Affordable Housing open

The Affordable Housing program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.) open

The Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.) program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Mainstream Mainstream Voucher open

Mainstream Vouchers at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Hickory. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Other closed

The Other program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Senior and Disabled closed

The Other Senior and Disabled program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Senior and Disabled Waiting List closed

The Other Senior and Disabled Waiting List program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

other closed

The other program at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. City of Hickory Public Housing Authority administers 9 programs (Affordable Housing, Affordable Housing (Nu-Dimensions, Inc.), Mainstream, Public Housing, HCV, Other, Other Senior and Disabled, Other Senior and Disabled Waiting List, other) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 841 S Center St, Hickory, NC.
How long is the wait at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority?
Wait times at City of Hickory Public Housing Authority depend on demand in Hickory, funding levels, and your priority status. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 10, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact City of Hickory Public Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of City of Hickory Public Housing Authority, including Western Piedmont Council of Governments (2 mi), Valdese Housing Authority (13 mi), Lincolnton Housing Authority (18 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in North Carolina and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in North Carolina.
How do I contact City of Hickory Public Housing Authority?
You can reach City of Hickory Public Housing Authority by phone at (828) 322-9191. Their office is located at 841 S Center St, Hickory, NC 28602. You can also email them at executivedirector@wpcog.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for City of Hickory Public Housing Authority?
Income limits for City of Hickory Public Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA (currently $77,600). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $38,800. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

City of Hickory Public Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the City of Hickory Public Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $38,800. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.

Household Size Extremely Low
30% AMI
Very Low
50% AMI
Low Income
80% AMI
1 Person $16,350 $27,200 $43,500
2 Persons $21,150 $31,050 $49,700
3 Persons $26,650 $34,950 $55,900
4 Persons $32,150 $38,800 $62,100
5 Persons $37,650 $41,950 $67,100
6 Persons $43,150 $45,050 $72,050
7 Persons $48,150 $48,150 $77,050
8 Persons $51,250 $51,250 $82,000
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $77,600 Effective April 1, 2025
What do these income limits mean?

Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.

Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.

Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.