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Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Last Updated
10 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston (PHA Code: SC001) serves Charleston, Charleston County, South Carolina. This authority manages approximately 3,000 assisted housing units, comprising 1,748 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) and 1,252 Public Housing units. They administer various programs, including Public Housing, HCV, Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), and may also offer Mainstream and RAD initiatives.
Currently, the waitlist for Public Housing is open to new applications, having recently transitioned from a closed status to opening soon and now open. All other programs, including HCV, LIHTC, and PBV, are presently closed. For a family of four seeking Very Low Income assistance in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA area, the current annual income limit is $55,450.
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Opening Soon
1 upcomingPublic Housing Waitlist
Current Status
Currently Closed — Opens Jul 21, 2026
Details
The application window for 1-bedroom units will open on Tuesday, July 21, 2026, from 12:00 PM.
Other Programs
5 programsThese 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.
The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston's HCV waitlist opens rarely and closes quickly.
The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program incentivizes private development of affordable rental housing. Properties receiving tax credits must reserve a percentage of units for income-eligible tenants at below-market rents.
No active waitlist information currently available.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
No active waitlist information currently available.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Charleston portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
Check Current Status
All waiting lists at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston are currently closed, but 1 list is expected to open soon. Prepare your documents now so you can apply immediately when the window opens.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, 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 $55,450/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.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Housing Authority of the City of Charleston portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Charleston manages approximately 3,000 assisted housing units (1,748 Section 8, 1,252 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Charleston. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston 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 Charleston. This program serves approximately 1,748 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
LIHTC closed
The LIHTC program at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Charleston. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston 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.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Charleston. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Charleston manages approximately 1,252 Public Housing units in Charleston. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Charleston maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Charleston?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the City of Charleston?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Charleston?
Housing Authority of the City of Charleston Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Charleston-North Charleston, SC MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $55,450. 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 | $23,300 | $38,850 | $62,100 |
| 2 Persons | $26,600 | $44,400 | $71,000 |
| 3 Persons | $29,950 | $49,950 | $79,850 |
| 4 Persons | $33,250 | $55,450 | $88,700 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $59,900 | $95,800 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $64,350 | $102,900 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $68,800 | $110,000 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $73,200 | $117,100 |
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.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the City of Charleston — including across state lines.