What the Durham Housing Authority does

The Durham Housing Authority (DHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and rental information programs in Durham, North Carolina. It does not operate statewide — it serves only Durham County and the city of Durham. The DHA manages public housing communities, administers the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and runs other rental information initiatives funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The DHA is separate from the city and county governments, though it works with them. It is a self-governing agency with its own board and budget. If you live in Durham and are looking for public housing or voucher information, the DHA is the body you contact directly — not the city or county housing office.

Key Takeaways

  • The Durham Housing Authority manages public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher program for Durham County residents only.
  • You can contact the DHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their office on Fayetteville Street to ask about current programs and how to request information.
  • Public housing and voucher programs have income limits that vary by family size, and the DHA maintains waiting lists for both.
  • The DHA also administers emergency rental information and other HUD-funded programs that may help with rent or utilities.
  • Waiting lists can be long, and the DHA opens and closes them based on demand and funding.

Public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers

The DHA operates two main programs. Public housing means the DHA owns the building and you pay rent to the DHA directly. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income, with a minimum amount. Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) work differently — you find a private landlord, and the DHA pays part of your rent to the landlord while you pay the rest.

Both programs have income limits. For public housing, the limit depends on family size and changes yearly. For vouchers, the income limit is typically 50 percent of the area median income, though the DHA can set it lower. If your income exceeds the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program.

Both programs maintain waiting lists. The DHA does not always accept new requests — it opens and closes the lists based on how many people are waiting and how much funding is available. You can contact the DHA to find out whether the list is open and what the current wait time is.

How to contact the Durham Housing Authority

The DHA office is located at 515 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC 27701. You can reach them by phone at (919) 687-4600. Office hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though you should call ahead to confirm current hours and to ask whether you need an appointment.

When you call or visit, ask whether the waiting list for public housing or vouchers is currently open. If it is, ask what documents you will need to bring or submit. If it is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. The DHA staff can also tell you about other programs they run, such as emergency rental information or utility information.

You can also mail a request to the DHA at the Fayetteville Street address. Include your name, phone number, and a brief note about which program you are interested in learning about. Response times by mail are typically slower than a phone call.

Income limits and rent calculations

Income limits for DHA programs are set by HUD and adjusted each year. The limits depend on family size and are based on the area median income for Durham County. A family of four might have a different limit than a single person. The DHA can tell you the current year's limits when you contact them.

In public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, with a minimum rent that the DHA sets (usually between $50 and $100 per month). Adjusted income means your total household income minus certain deductions, such as child care costs or medical expenses for elderly or disabled family members. The DHA will explain how they calculate your income when you explore.

In the voucher program, you pay the difference between the rent the landlord charges and the amount the DHA pays. The DHA sets a payment standard for different unit sizes, and you can rent a unit that costs more or less than that standard — but you will pay more or less out of pocket accordingly.

Waiting lists and how long they take

Both public housing and vouchers have waiting lists in Durham. The length of the wait varies. Public housing waiting lists can be several years long, while voucher waiting lists may be shorter or longer depending on current demand and funding. The DHA prioritizes some applicants — for example, people experiencing homelessness or those with disabilities may move up the list.

When the DHA calls your name from the waiting list, they will contact you by phone or mail. You will then be asked to provide documents to verify your income, family composition, and citizenship or immigration status. If you do not respond within the timeframe the DHA gives you, you may be removed from the list.

The DHA does not charge a fee to be on the waiting list. If someone calls claiming to charge you to get on a list or to speed up the process, that is a scam.

Other programs the DHA runs

Beyond public housing and vouchers, the DHA administers other HUD-funded programs. These may include emergency rental information for people behind on rent, utility information, and programs for people with disabilities or seniors. The availability and rules for these programs change based on funding and federal guidelines.

Some of these programs are temporary — they may be funded for a specific period and then end. Others are ongoing. When you contact the DHA, ask about all programs they currently run, not just public housing and vouchers. You may find that a different program is a better fit for your situation.

What to bring when you explore

The DHA will ask for documents to verify your information. Standard documents include a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of citizenship or immigration status, and information about all household members. If you are elderly or disabled, you may need medical documentation.

The exact list of documents depends on which program you are explore for and your individual circumstances. When you contact the DHA, ask for a complete list before you visit or submit anything by mail. Having the right documents ready speeds up the process.

If you do not have a document the DHA asks for, tell them. They may accept alternatives or allow you to provide the document later. Do not delay contacting them because you think you are missing something.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Durham Housing Authority serve the whole state of North Carolina?

No. The DHA serves only Durham County and the city of Durham. If you live in another county, you will need to contact your local housing authority. You can find your local authority through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency or by searching online for "[your county] housing authority."

How long is the waiting list for public housing in Durham?

The waiting list length changes over time and depends on how many people are waiting and how many units become available. The DHA can tell you the current wait time when you call. It is not unusual for public housing waiting lists to be several years long in larger cities.

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

Yes. You can request information about both programs and be on both waiting lists simultaneously. When one program calls your name, you can decide whether to accept or stay on the other list. Ask the DHA about their policy on this when you contact them.

What happens if I move out of Durham?

If you are in public housing and move out of the DHA's service area, your lease ends and you must vacate. If you have a voucher, you may be able to transfer it to another housing authority if you move to a different city, but you must request this before you move. Contact the DHA before relocating to understand your options.

Is there a fee to explore for public housing or a voucher?

No. The DHA does not charge an process fee. If anyone tells you that you must pay money to explore or to get on a waiting list, that is a scam. Report it to the DHA directly.