What the Cumberland County Housing Authority does

The Cumberland County Housing Authority (CCHA) is a local government agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in Fayetteville and unincorporated Cumberland County, North Carolina. It does not create housing or vouchers — it administers them on behalf of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). That means CCHA manages waiting lists, determines who can move into public housing units, processes voucher paperwork, and inspects properties to make sure they meet federal standards.

CCHA owns and operates public housing developments — apartment complexes and scattered single-family units throughout the county. It also holds the voucher program, which means it issues Section 8 vouchers to low-income households, and those households then rent from private landlords. The voucher covers part of the rent; the tenant pays the rest. CCHA's job is to verify income, manage the voucher, and may support the landlord's property passes inspection.

Key Takeaways

  • CCHA runs both public housing (units it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rent subsidies you use at private landlords' properties).
  • To get on a waiting list, you contact CCHA directly — there is no online portal or third-party process site.
  • Waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers are typically closed, and CCHA opens them only when it has capacity; you can call to ask when the next opening is expected.
  • Income limits vary by family size and are set by HUD each year; CCHA staff can tell you whether your household income falls within the limit.
  • You will need proof of income, identity, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a signed lease (for vouchers) or rental history (for public housing).

How to contact Cumberland County Housing Authority

CCHA's main office is located at 1642 Ramsey Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301. You can reach them by phone at (910) 433-4500 during business hours, Monday through Friday. The office is closed on weekends and federal holidays.

When you call, have your household size and approximate annual income ready. Staff can tell you whether waiting lists are open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you will need to bring. If you prefer to visit in person, you can walk in during office hours, though calling ahead to confirm hours is a good idea.

CCHA also has a website where you can find general program information, but applications and inquiries must be handled by phone or in person. There is no online waiting list system.

Income limits and who can get housing through CCHA

CCHA serves households with income at or below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI). For a family of four in Cumberland County, that limit is roughly $52,000 to $56,000 per year, though the exact figure changes annually. HUD sets these limits, and CCHA uses them to determine who is may be able to access. Households earning above the limit cannot be placed on a waiting list.

Income includes wages, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and unemployment benefits. CCHA counts all sources. If you are self-employed, you will need to provide tax returns for the past two years. If your income is seasonal or variable, CCHA averages it over 12 months.

You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to explore, but all household members must have valid Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs). Non-citizens with work authorization can be placed on a waiting list.

Public housing vs. Section 8 vouchers: which one CCHA offers

CCHA manages both programs, but they work differently. Public housing means you rent an apartment or house that CCHA owns. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum rent (usually $50 to $100 per month). CCHA handles maintenance and repairs. You sign a lease with CCHA.

Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own rental property on the private market, and CCHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the property must pass a CCHA inspection. You sign a lease with the landlord, not CCHA. Vouchers give you more choice in where to live, but fewer landlords accept them.

Both programs have waiting lists. CCHA typically prioritizes based on date of process and preference categories (such as homelessness or displacement). Wait times vary; public housing may take one to three years, and vouchers may take two to five years or longer, depending on funding and turnover.

Documents you need to bring when you explore

CCHA requires the same core documents for both public housing and vouchers. Bring original documents or certified copies — photocopies are usually not accepted. You will need a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID) for the head of household.

Bring proof of income for the past 30 days: recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or a benefits statement from Social Security or unemployment. If you are self-employed, bring the past two years of tax returns. If you have no income, bring a letter from a social service agency or a statement explaining your situation.

Bring proof of Social Security numbers for all household members — Social Security cards, birth certificates, or a letter from the Social Security Administration. You will also need proof of residency in Cumberland County (a utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency). If you are explore for a voucher, bring a signed lease or a letter from a landlord stating they will rent to you.

What happens after you submit your process

CCHA staff will review your documents on the spot or within a few days. They will verify your income against the limit, check your Social Security numbers, and confirm your residency. If everything is in order, you will be added to the waiting list with a date stamp. That date determines your place in line.

CCHA will contact you when a unit (public housing) or voucher becomes available. For public housing, you may be offered a specific unit; you can usually decline and wait for another. For vouchers, you will receive the voucher and have a set time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a property and have it inspected.

During the waiting period, you must notify CCHA of any changes in household composition, income, or address. Failure to do so can result in removal from the list. CCHA may also conduct periodic recertifications to confirm your information is still accurate.

Rent and fees you will pay

In public housing, your rent is 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a minimum rent set by CCHA (typically $50 to $100 per month). There are no process fees or deposits. If your income changes, your rent is recalculated at your annual recertification.

In Section 8 vouchers, you pay the difference between the market rent and the voucher amount. If a unit rents for $1,200 and the voucher covers $900, you pay $300. There is no process fee for the voucher itself, but you may pay a security deposit to the landlord (standard for any rental). CCHA does not charge you a fee to hold or use the voucher.

Both programs require you to pay utilities unless they are included in the rent. CCHA may deduct a utility allowance from the rent calculation if you pay separately.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or vouchers?

Wait times vary and depend on how many units or vouchers become available each year. Public housing waits are typically one to three years; voucher waits can be two to five years or longer. Call CCHA at (910) 433-4500 to ask the current wait time for your household size.

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

Yes. You can explore for both programs, and CCHA will place you on both lists. If you are offered a unit or voucher from one program, you can accept it and remain on the other list, or you can decline and stay on both.

What if my income increases after I move into public housing or get a voucher?

Your rent will increase at your next annual recertification. In public housing, rent rises to 30 percent of your new income. With a voucher, your portion of the rent may increase, but the voucher amount stays the same. If your income exceeds the program limit, you may be required to leave within a set period (usually one year).

Do I need to be a Fayetteville resident to explore?

No. CCHA serves Cumberland County, which includes Fayetteville and unincorporated areas. You must live in Cumberland County or be able to move there, but you do not have to live in the city limits of Fayetteville.

What if the waiting list is closed?

Call CCHA and ask when the list is expected to reopen. Lists close when CCHA has more applicants than it can serve. They reopen when funding increases or when staff capacity allows. You can also ask to be placed on a notification list so CCHA contacts you when applications reopen.