What the Charlotte Housing Authority does

The Charlotte Housing Authority (CHA) is a public agency that runs housing programs in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. It administers public housing (apartments it owns and rents at reduced rates), Housing Choice Vouchers (formerly Section 8, which pays part of your rent at a private landlord's property), and emergency information programs. CHA does not build or manage all affordable housing in Charlotte — it runs specific programs with their own income limits, waitlists, and rules.

CHA's main office is at 700 East Fourth Street in Charlotte. You can reach them by phone at (704) 336-2900 or visit their website at www.cha-nc.org. Most programs have separate process processes and waitlists, so contacting CHA directly is the only way to know which programs are currently open and what your next step is.

Key Takeaways

  • CHA runs three main programs: public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and emergency rental information, each with different income limits and waitlists.
  • Housing Choice Vouchers typically have the longest waitlists in Charlotte; CHA opens the list periodically when funding allows, and you must reapply if you miss the window.
  • Public housing and voucher programs require proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a background check that may disqualify you for certain criminal or eviction history.
  • CHA's emergency rental information program covers rent arrears (money you already owe) when you have faced a recent hardship; it pays landlords directly and moves faster than voucher programs.
  • You can call CHA at (704) 336-2900 to ask whether each program is currently accepting new applicants and what documents you need to bring.

Public housing: CHA-owned apartments

CHA owns and operates apartment complexes throughout Mecklenburg County. These are not temporary housing — they are permanent rentals where you sign a lease and can stay as long as you follow the lease terms and remain income-may be able to access. Rent is set at 30 percent of your household's gross monthly income, so it changes if your income changes. CHA collects the difference between your rent and the actual cost to operate the building from federal funding.

Income limits for public housing vary by household size. For a single person, the limit is typically around $35,000 per year; for a family of four, around $56,000 per year. These numbers change annually. You must provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove income. If you are unemployed, CHA will count unemployment benefits, Social Security, child support, or other regular income sources.

CHA maintains a waitlist for public housing. The waitlist is not first-come, first-served — CHA prioritizes households with the greatest need, which usually means lowest income and homelessness or imminent homelessness. Wait times range from several months to several years depending on the property and your priority level. Call (704) 336-2900 to ask whether the waitlist is open and how to get on it.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)

A Housing Choice Voucher is a subsidy that CHA pays directly to a private landlord on your behalf. You find an apartment on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and CHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the rest — typically 30 percent of your household income. The voucher covers the difference up to a maximum amount set by HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), which varies by neighborhood in Charlotte.

Income limits for vouchers are the same as for public housing. You must have a valid lease signed by both you and the landlord before CHA will issue a voucher. The landlord's property must pass a CHA inspection to may support it meets housing quality standards — this is not optional and happens before CHA pays anything.

The Housing Choice Voucher waitlist in Charlotte is typically closed and has thousands of names on it. CHA opens the waitlist for brief periods — sometimes a few weeks — when federal funding allows. If you miss the window, you must wait until the next opening, which may be months or years away. Call CHA to ask when the waitlist is expected to reopen. Once you are on the waitlist, CHA will contact you when your name reaches the top; you then have a limited time to complete the process or you lose your spot.

Emergency rental information through CHA

CHA administers emergency rental information funds for households facing eviction or rent arrears due to a recent hardship — job loss, medical emergency, domestic violence, or similar crisis. The program pays landlords directly to cover rent you already owe, not rent coming due. You must have a signed lease and proof that the hardship occurred within the last 30 to 90 days (the exact window varies by funding source).

Income limits for emergency information are higher than for public housing or vouchers — typically up to 80 percent of the area median income, which is roughly $65,000 for a single person and $104,000 for a family of four in Mecklenburg County. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, a lease, proof of the hardship (such as a termination letter or medical bill), and your landlord's contact information and banking details.

Emergency rental information funds run out and reopen periodically. CHA does not always advertise when funds are available, so call (704) 336-2900 to ask whether the program is currently open. If it is, approval typically takes two to six weeks. Tell your landlord you have applied and ask them to hold off on filing for eviction while your process is being reviewed.

Documents you will need for any CHA program

All CHA programs require proof of identity, income, and household composition. Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID card). You will also need Social Security numbers for every person in your household, including children. CHA runs a background check on all adult household members.

For income, bring recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer on company letterhead stating your job title, hourly rate or salary, and start date. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and a profit-and-loss statement. If you have no income, bring documentation of that — a letter from a previous employer, unemployment records, or a statement signed by you under penalty of perjury.

For housing programs, you will also need a signed lease or proof of current housing (a utility bill in your name, a lease, or a letter from your landlord). For emergency information, bring proof of the hardship and your landlord's name, address, phone number, and bank account information so CHA can pay them directly.

Background checks and disqualifying factors

CHA runs a criminal background check and an eviction history check on all applicants. A criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify you, but certain crimes — particularly drug-related felonies and violent crimes — may. CHA also checks whether you have been evicted in the past three to five years. An eviction does not automatically disqualify you, but it may lower your priority or require you to provide additional documentation.

If you have a disqualifying factor, CHA will send you a letter explaining why and telling you whether you can appeal. Appeals are handled on a case-by-case basis and usually require you to provide evidence that you have addressed the issue — for example, completion of a drug treatment program or a letter from a previous landlord saying you paid rent on time after the eviction.

CHA also has rules about household composition and occupancy. You cannot have more people living in a unit than the lease allows, and CHA may require you to move if your household size changes significantly. Ask CHA about occupancy limits for the specific unit or program you are interested in.

How to contact CHA and what to ask

Call CHA at (704) 336-2900 during business hours (usually Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.). Have your household size, approximate income, and current housing situation ready when you call. Ask specifically: (1) which programs are currently open to new applicants, (2) what the current waitlist status is for each program, (3) what documents you need to bring, and (4) where and when you can submit your process.

You can also visit CHA's office at 700 East Fourth Street in Charlotte or check their website at www.cha-nc.org for updates on program openings and process important date. Some programs accept applications by mail; others require you to explore in person. CHA will tell you which method applies to the program you are interested in.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on the waitlist for both public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers at the same time?

Yes. The waitlists are separate, and being on one does not affect your place on the other. However, once you receive a voucher or are offered a public housing unit, you must decide which one to accept. You cannot hold both simultaneously.

What happens if my income goes above the limit after I move in?

CHA will recalculate your rent, which may increase. If your income exceeds the limit by a certain amount (usually 120 percent of the limit), CHA may ask you to move out or may terminate your voucher. The exact rules depend on the program. Ask CHA about income recertification and what happens if your circumstances change.

How long does it take to get approved for a voucher or public housing?

For public housing, approval typically takes four to eight weeks after you submit your process, assuming you pass the background check and meet income limits. For vouchers, the timeline depends on where you are on the waitlist — you may wait months or years before CHA contacts you. Emergency information moves faster, usually two to six weeks.

What if I have an eviction case pending right now?

Contact CHA when ready. An active eviction case does not automatically disqualify you, and in some cases it may prioritize you for emergency information. Bring the eviction notice and court date when you explore. CHA may be able to pay your landlord before the court date, which stops the eviction.

Can I use a Housing Choice Voucher anywhere in Charlotte?

You can use a voucher at any private rental property in Mecklenburg County where the landlord agrees to accept it and the property passes CHA's inspection. You are not limited to specific neighborhoods or buildings. However, the voucher amount is set by neighborhood, so rent in higher-cost areas may require you to pay more out of pocket.