What Asheville Housing Authority Does and How to Reach Them

Asheville Housing Authority (AHA) is a local government agency that runs public housing and the Section 8 voucher program in Buncombe County, North Carolina. They own and manage apartment buildings for low-income residents and distribute rental vouchers that help people pay for private market apartments. If you live in or near Asheville and need affordable housing, AHA is the office that handles applications, lease questions, and rent-related disputes for their programs.

You can reach Asheville Housing Authority at their main office located at 30 Ravenscroft Drive, Asheville, NC 28801. Their phone number is (828) 252-8347. They are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. You can also visit their website or stop by in person to pick up applications or ask questions about current openings.

Key Takeaways

  • Asheville Housing Authority runs public housing apartments and Section 8 vouchers for Buncombe County residents, and you must contact them directly to learn about current openings.
  • Section 8 voucher waiting lists are typically closed and may have years-long waits when they do open, so call ahead to confirm whether AHA is accepting new applications.
  • Public housing income limits and rent calculations depend on your household size and income, and AHA staff can walk you through the numbers before you explore.
  • You will need proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID to start any process with AHA.

Public Housing vs. Section 8 Vouchers: What AHA Offers

Asheville Housing Authority manages two separate programs. Public housing means AHA owns the building and you rent directly from them. Section 8 vouchers mean AHA gives you money to help pay rent at a private landlord's apartment — the landlord is not AHA, but AHA pays part of your rent to them.

Public housing in Asheville includes several apartment complexes scattered throughout the city. Rent is based on your income: you typically pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income, and AHA covers the rest. Section 8 works the same way — you pay 30 percent of income, and the voucher covers the difference up to a limit set by HUD (the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development). The difference is that with Section 8, you choose where to live, as long as the landlord accepts vouchers and the rent is not above the program limit for your area.

Both programs have income limits. For public housing and Section 8 in Buncombe County, the limit depends on household size and changes yearly. Call AHA to ask the current limit for your household size — it is usually around 50 to 60 percent of the area median income, but the exact number shifts each year.

how the process works for Public Housing

To explore for public housing with Asheville Housing Authority, you will need to visit their office or call to request an process. There is no online process portal; you must explore in person or by mail. Ask AHA which buildings currently have openings, because not all complexes accept applications at the same time.

Bring or mail the following documents: a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), Social Security cards or numbers for all household members, and proof of residency in Buncombe County (a utility bill or lease). If you are unemployed, bring documentation of unemployment benefits or a statement from a job search program. If you receive benefits like SNAP or TANF, bring those award letters.

After you submit your process, AHA will verify your information and place you on a waiting list if you meet the income and residency requirements. Wait times vary; some buildings have short lists and move quickly, while others may have waits of several months to over a year. AHA will contact you when a unit becomes available and you are next on the list. At that point, you will have a home visit inspection and sign a lease.

how the process works for Section 8 Vouchers

Section 8 voucher waiting lists in Asheville are usually closed. Before you do anything else, call AHA at (828) 252-8347 and ask whether they are accepting Section 8 applications. If the list is closed, ask when it might reopen and whether you can get on a notification list so they contact you if it opens.

If the list is open, you will explore the same way as for public housing: in person or by mail with a photo ID, proof of income, Social Security numbers for all household members, and proof of residency. The income limits are the same as for public housing. After approval, you will receive a voucher that you can use at any rental property in the area where the landlord accepts Section 8. You then search for an apartment on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and AHA inspects the unit before you move in.

Once you have a voucher, you are responsible for finding a place within the rent limit. If you cannot find anything in your price range, you can request a rent reasonableness exception from AHA, which may allow you to rent a unit above the standard limit in your area — but this is not may provide and depends on availability of funds.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

Both public housing and Section 8 have income limits that change every year. Asheville Housing Authority uses the federal income limits set by HUD, which vary by household size. A single person's limit is different from a family of four. The limits also account for whether anyone in your household is elderly or has a disability.

Your rent in either program is calculated as 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. This is not the same as your total income. AHA subtracts certain deductions: $480 per dependent child, $400 for elderly or disabled household members, childcare costs, medical expenses for elderly or disabled people, and some other costs. After those deductions, they take 30 percent of what remains. This is why your actual rent can be much lower than 30 percent of your gross pay.

Call AHA and ask them to walk you through the calculation for your household before you explore. They can tell you roughly what your rent would be and whether you are likely to be within the income limit. This saves time and prevents surprises later.

What Happens After You Are Approved

Once you are approved for public housing, AHA will notify you when a unit is available. You will schedule a home visit inspection, sign a lease, and move in. Your lease is with AHA, and you pay rent to them each month. If you have maintenance issues, you call AHA's maintenance line. If you have questions about your lease or rent, you contact AHA directly.

For Section 8, after approval you receive a voucher and a packet of information about how to search for apartments. You have a set amount of time (usually 60 days) to find a place. Once you find one, the landlord must sign a lease addendum, and AHA inspects the unit. If it passes inspection and the rent is within limits, you move in. Your lease is with the landlord, not AHA, but AHA pays part of your rent directly to the landlord each month.

In both programs, your rent may change if your income changes. You must report income changes to AHA within 30 days. If your income goes up, your rent goes up. If it goes down, your rent goes down. AHA will recalculate your rent annually, and you will receive a new lease or lease addendum showing the new amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Asheville?

The waiting list is usually closed, so there is no current wait time. When it is open, waits can range from several months to several years depending on how many people explore and how many vouchers become available. Call AHA to ask the current status and whether you can be notified if it reopens.

What if my income is slightly above the limit?

You will not be approved if your income is above the limit. However, income limits change yearly and may go up. You can reapply the following year if your income drops or if the limit increases. Ask AHA what next year's limit is projected to be.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists. However, once you are approved and move into either program, you must leave the other waiting list. Let AHA know if you want to withdraw from one list after you are placed in the other.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

Asheville Housing Authority considers eviction history but does not automatically deny you. You will need to explain the circumstances. Bring documentation showing you have paid any judgment or settled the case. AHA will review your situation and make a decision based on the details.

Do I have to work to live in public housing or get a Section 8 voucher?

No. You do not have to be employed. You can receive unemployment benefits, Social Security, disability payments, or other income sources. You only need to meet the income limit. Bring documentation of whatever income you receive.