What the Greenville Housing Authority does

The Greenville Housing Authority (GHA) is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing in Greenville, South Carolina, and administers housing vouchers for low-income residents. It does not set housing policy for the city — that is the city council's role — but it runs the day-to-day operations of public housing properties and the Section 8 voucher program locally. If you rent from GHA or hold a Section 8 voucher issued by GHA, you deal with this agency for lease questions, maintenance requests, rent calculations, and voucher-related issues.

GHA is separate from the city's planning department and from private landlords. It is also separate from the state housing finance agency. Understanding which agency handles what matters because the wrong phone call wastes time. GHA handles tenant issues in GHA-owned buildings and voucher holder questions. The city handles zoning and code enforcement. Private landlords handle their own properties. If you are unsure which agency to contact, GHA's main office can usually point you in the right direction.

Key Takeaways

  • The Greenville Housing Authority manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers in Greenville; it is not the same as the city government or private landlords.
  • If you live in a GHA property or hold a GHA-issued Section 8 voucher, GHA is your landlord or voucher administrator and handles lease, maintenance, and rent questions.
  • GHA's main office is located in Greenville and can be reached by phone or in person; many routine questions can be handled without a visit.
  • Rent in GHA housing is calculated based on your income, not a flat market rate, and GHA will recalculate it if your income changes.
  • If you have a maintenance problem in a GHA unit, report it to GHA's maintenance line; response times vary by urgency.

GHA public housing and how rent is set

GHA owns and operates public housing apartments throughout Greenville. If you live in one of these buildings, GHA is your landlord. Your rent is not set by the market — it is calculated as a percentage of your household income, typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross monthly income. This means your rent changes if your income changes, and GHA will ask you to report income changes when you renew your lease or when circumstances shift.

To live in GHA housing, you must meet income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These limits change yearly and depend on household size. GHA's website and main office have the current limits. If your income exceeds the limit, you may be asked to leave or your rent may increase to market rate. If your income drops, your rent will drop at your next recertification.

Lease terms in GHA housing are typically one year. You have the right to a written lease, the right to notice before eviction, and the right to a hearing if GHA tries to evict you. GHA must follow federal and state eviction law; it cannot evict you without cause or without proper notice. Common causes for eviction include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity on the property.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work

GHA also administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. If you hold a GHA Section 8 voucher, you can rent from a private landlord of your choice (not just GHA properties), and GHA pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and your household size; it does not change based on the actual rent you pay, only on annual adjustments set by HUD.

To use a Section 8 voucher, you must find a landlord willing to accept it. Not all landlords do. Once you find a unit, GHA must inspect it and approve it before you can move in. The inspection checks for safety and basic habitability — working heat, no lead paint hazards, functioning plumbing, and so on. If the unit fails, the landlord must fix the problems before GHA will approve the lease.

If you hold a voucher and your income changes, you must report it to GHA. Your voucher amount does not change, but GHA needs accurate income information for its records. If you lose your voucher or it is terminated, you lose the subsidy and must pay full market rent or move. Vouchers can be terminated for non-payment of your portion of rent, lease violations, or fraud.

Maintenance and repairs in GHA housing

If you live in a GHA-owned unit and have a maintenance problem — broken heat, leaking roof, non-working stove, plumbing issues — report it to GHA's maintenance department. Most GHA properties have a maintenance line you can call, and some accept online requests through the GHA website. When you call, describe the problem clearly and provide your unit number and phone number. GHA will assign a priority level based on urgency.

Emergency repairs (no heat in winter, no water, electrical hazards) should be treated as urgent. GHA typically aims to respond to emergency calls within 24 hours, though response times can vary. Non-emergency repairs (a broken cabinet door, a slow drain) may take longer. If GHA does not respond within a reasonable time, you have the right to contact your local housing authority ombudsman or file a complaint with HUD.

If you hold a Section 8 voucher and rent from a private landlord, the landlord is responsible for repairs, not GHA. GHA's role is to inspect the unit annually and may support it meets housing quality standards. If the landlord fails to make repairs, you can report it to GHA, and GHA may withhold payment to the landlord or terminate the lease approval. You also have rights under South Carolina tenant law to repair-and-deduct or to break the lease if the landlord does not make necessary repairs.

How to contact the Greenville Housing Authority

GHA's main office is located in Greenville. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask questions about rent, maintenance, vouchers, or lease terms. Many questions can be answered by phone without a visit. If you need to visit in person — to submit documents, sign a lease, or discuss a complex issue — call ahead to confirm office hours and to ask if an appointment is needed.

GHA also has a website where you may find forms, payment information, and contact numbers for specific departments. If you have a complaint about GHA's service or believe GHA has violated your rights, you can file a complaint with HUD's Office of Inspector General or contact a local legal aid organization. South Carolina also has a housing authority ombudsman program that can help resolve disputes.

Income recertification and lease renewal

Once a year, GHA will ask you to recertify your income. This means providing proof of your current earnings — pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters, or other documents showing what you earn. GHA uses this information to recalculate your rent. If your income has gone up, your rent will go up. If it has gone down, your rent will go down. If you do not recertify on time, GHA may terminate your lease or voucher.

Recertification is also when your lease renews. GHA will send you a notice with the date you need to recertify and the documents you need to bring. If you miss the important date, contact GHA when ready to ask if you can still recertify. Some delays can be excused if you have a good reason. If you cannot recertify, you may lose your housing or voucher.

Your rights as a GHA tenant or voucher holder

Federal law gives you specific rights as a public housing tenant or voucher holder. You have the right to a written lease, the right to know the rules you must follow, the right to notice before eviction, and the right to a hearing if GHA tries to evict you. You also have the right to privacy — GHA cannot enter your unit without notice except in emergencies. You have the right to request reasonable accommodations if you have a disability, and GHA must consider your request.

You also have the right to file a complaint if you believe GHA has treated you unfairly. Complaints can be filed with GHA directly, with HUD, or with a local legal aid organization. If you are facing eviction, you have the right to legal representation, though GHA does not provide it. South Carolina has legal aid organizations that may help low-income tenants facing eviction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money to live in GHA housing?

GHA has income limits based on household size, set by HUD and updated yearly. Call GHA's main office or check their website for the current limits. If your income exceeds the limit, you may be asked to move or your rent may increase to market rate. If you are close to the limit, ask GHA whether your income will be recalculated at your next recertification.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher at any apartment in Greenville?

You can use your voucher at any apartment where the landlord agrees to accept it. Not all landlords accept Section 8. The landlord must also allow GHA to inspect the unit and approve it before you move in. If the unit fails inspection, the landlord must make repairs before you can lease it.

What happens if I do not report a change in my income to GHA?

If your income changes and you do not report it, GHA may discover the change during recertification or an audit. If you were paying less rent than you should have, GHA may ask you to pay back rent. If you were paying more, GHA will refund the difference. Failing to report income honestly can also be grounds for lease termination.

How long does it take GHA to fix a maintenance problem?

Emergency repairs (no heat, no water, electrical hazards) should be addressed within 24 hours. Non-emergency repairs may take longer — sometimes days or weeks depending on the problem and GHA's workload. If GHA does not respond within a reasonable time, contact GHA's supervisor or file a complaint with HUD.

Can GHA evict me without a reason?

No. GHA must have a reason to evict you — usually non-payment of rent, a lease violation, or criminal activity. GHA must give you written notice and a chance to respond before filing for eviction in court. You have the right to a hearing and the right to legal representation. If you receive an eviction notice, contact a legal aid organization when ready.