How the Columbia Housing Authority Works and What It Administers

What the Columbia Housing Authority does

The Columbia Housing Authority (CHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and administers the Housing Choice Voucher program in Columbia, South Carolina. It does not create housing policy for the state — it manages specific properties and vouchers within the city limits. If you live in Columbia and are looking for affordable housing through a government program, CHA is usually the first place to contact, but the programs it runs have separate rules and waiting lists.

CHA owns and operates public housing developments directly. It also holds the contract to distribute Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) to low-income households in the Columbia area. These are two different programs with different income limits, process processes, and timelines. A person can be on the waiting list for both at the same time.

Key Takeaways

The Columbia Housing Authority manages public housing properties and Housing Choice Vouchers in Columbia, but these are two separate programs with different waiting lists and rules.
Public housing is owned and operated by CHA; Housing Choice Vouchers let you rent from a private landlord and CHA pays part of the rent.
Both programs have income limits that vary by household size, and both maintain waiting lists that may be open or closed depending on current demand.
You can contact CHA directly by phone or visit their office in person to ask about current waiting list status and what documents you will need.
If you are homeless or in crisis, 211 can refer you to emergency shelter and rapid rehousing programs that may move faster than CHA's standard waiting lists.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

CHA owns and manages public housing apartments. You live in a CHA-owned building, pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of your gross monthly income), and CHA maintains the property. Public housing has strict income limits — you must earn below a certain threshold to move in, though you can stay if your income rises after you are already a resident.

Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. CHA gives you a voucher that covers part of the rent on a private apartment you find yourself. You locate the unit, negotiate with the landlord, and CHA pays the landlord directly. Your share of the rent is still usually 30 percent of your income. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher and pass a CHA inspection, but you have much more choice in where you live.

Both programs have waiting lists. Public housing waiting lists are often longer because the supply of CHA-owned units is fixed. Voucher waiting lists can also be years long in high-demand areas, though some vouchers become available when current holders move or no longer need them.

Income limits and household size

CHA uses income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The limits change yearly and depend on your household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. Income is counted as gross monthly earnings before taxes.

You must be at or below the limit to be accepted into either program. Some programs prioritize households below 50 percent of the area median income, which is a lower threshold. CHA's website or office can tell you the current year's limits for your household size. Income limits are not the same as rent — they determine whether you can enter the program, not how much you will pay once you are in.

If your income rises after you move into public housing, you can usually stay, but your rent will increase. With a voucher, your rent share also rises with your income. Both programs have rules about how much your rent can increase in a given year.

How to contact CHA and check waiting list status

The Columbia Housing Authority office is located at 1231 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201. You can call them at (803) 733-1314 to ask about waiting list status, current income limits, and what documents you need to bring. Office hours and phone availability vary, so calling ahead is recommended.

You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face. Bring a photo ID and be prepared to provide basic household information — names, ages, and income sources for all household members. CHA staff can tell you whether the waiting list is currently open, how long the wait typically is, and whether you meet the income threshold.

Some housing authorities allow online applications or mail-in submissions, but you should confirm with CHA directly what methods they accept. Requirements and procedures can change, and CHA staff will have the most current information.

What documents you will need

CHA requires proof of identity, income, and household composition. Standard documents include a photo ID (driver's license or state ID), recent pay stubs or tax returns to show income, and birth certificates or Social Security cards for all household members. If you are unemployed, CHA may ask for documentation of job searches or unemployment benefits.

You will also need proof of residency in Columbia — a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. If you have a disability, you may need medical documentation to request reasonable accommodations in housing or to may have access to for priority on a waiting list.

CHA will tell you the complete list when you call or visit. Bringing documents in advance speeds up the process, but CHA can also tell you which ones are most urgent to gather first.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and voucher waiting lists in Columbia are typically long. Public housing waiting lists often have multi-year waits in many cities, though the exact timeline depends on how many units become available and how many people are ahead of you. Voucher waiting lists can also be years long, especially in areas with high housing costs.

CHA prioritizes certain households — people who are homeless, people with disabilities, and families with very low incomes may move up the list. Ask CHA whether you may have access to for priority status when you explore. Some programs also give priority to people who work in Columbia or have children in Columbia schools.

While you wait, you can look into other programs. Emergency rental information, rapid rehousing, and transitional housing programs may have shorter timelines. 211 can tell you what else is available in Columbia while you are on CHA's waiting list.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, CHA will contact you when a unit matching your household size becomes available. You will have a limited time to accept or decline the offer — usually 10 to 14 days. If you decline, you may lose your place on the list or move to the bottom, depending on CHA's policy. Ask about this when you explore.

Once you move in, you will sign a lease with CHA and pay rent based on your income. CHA will conduct annual inspections and may require you to report income changes. If your income rises significantly, your rent will increase, but you can stay in the unit.

For vouchers, once you are approved, CHA gives you a voucher and a important date to find a unit. You search for apartments, negotiate with landlords, and CHA inspects the unit before the lease begins. The process from approval to move-in typically takes one to three months, depending on how quickly you find a unit and how fast the inspection happens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and voucher waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. The two programs are separate, so you can explore to both and be on both waiting lists. If you are approved for one before the other, you can accept it and stay on the second list, or you can decline and wait for the other. Ask CHA about their policy on this when you explore.

What if I am currently homeless?

Homelessness is a priority factor for both CHA programs and for other rapid rehousing programs in Columbia. Contact CHA directly and tell them you are homeless — you may move up the waiting list. Also call 211 to find emergency shelter, transitional housing, and rapid rehousing programs that may house you faster than CHA's standard waiting list.

Do I have to work to get public housing or a voucher?

No. CHA does not require employment. You must meet the income limit, which is based on total household income from all sources — wages, benefits, child support, or other income. Unemployed people can be approved if their total income is below the limit.

What if my income is above the limit?

You will not be approved for either program if your income exceeds the limit. However, income limits change yearly, and some programs have higher limits for people with disabilities or large families. Call CHA to confirm the current limit for your household size. If you are over the limit, ask about other affordable housing programs in Columbia that may have higher income thresholds.

How do I know if the waiting list is open?

Call CHA at (803) 733-1314 or visit their office. Waiting lists open and close depending on how many people are on them and how many units or vouchers are available. CHA staff can tell you when ready whether you can explore right now or whether the list is closed and when it might reopen.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.