What Charleston Housing Authority Does and Who Runs It

Charleston Housing Authority (CHA) is the local public housing agency for Charleston, South Carolina. It administers public housing units, Section 8 vouchers, and other rental information programs in the city and surrounding areas. The agency is governed by a board of commissioners and operates under federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) rules.

CHA owns and manages public housing properties directly — these are apartments where the agency is the landlord. It also runs the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which pays a portion of rent for tenants who find their own apartments in the private market. Both programs serve low-income households, but the process process, waiting lists, and rules differ between them.

The agency's main office is located in downtown Charleston. You can reach them by phone, mail, or in person. CHA also maintains a website with current information about programs, income limits, and how to request an process.

Key Takeaways

  • Charleston Housing Authority manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers separately, each with its own waiting list and income requirements.
  • You can contact CHA by phone at (843) 723-3800, by mail at 701 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29403, or through their website for program information.
  • Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists that may be open or closed depending on current demand and funding.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a valid ID to request an process for either program.
  • Processing times vary, but CHA typically takes several weeks to several months to process applications once the waiting list is open.

How to Contact Charleston Housing Authority

The main phone number for Charleston Housing Authority is (843) 723-3800. Staff can answer questions about current programs, whether waiting lists are open, and what documents you need to bring. Call during business hours — typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. — to reach someone who can help.

You can also visit the office in person at 701 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29403. Walking in without an appointment is possible, but calling ahead to confirm hours and reduce wait time is a better approach. The office handles applications, questions about your account, and requests for documents you may need.

Mail inquiries to the same address. Include your name, phone number, and a clear description of what you need. Response times for mail are slower than phone or in-person visits — expect two to three weeks.

CHA maintains a website where you can find program descriptions, income limits, and links to process materials. The website also lists whether waiting lists are currently open or closed.

Public Housing vs. Section 8: Which Program Applies to You

Public housing means CHA owns the building and you rent directly from the agency. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your household income (or a minimum amount set by HUD, whichever is higher). You live in a CHA-owned unit and follow CHA lease rules. Public housing has its own waiting list, and the wait can be months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers work differently. You find your own apartment in the private rental market, and the program pays a portion of the rent directly to your landlord. You pay the difference between what the voucher covers and what the landlord charges (usually 30 percent of your income). You can move to a different apartment while keeping your voucher, as long as the new place meets program standards and the landlord accepts Section 8. Section 8 also has a waiting list, and in many areas it is longer than the public housing list.

Both programs have income limits. A household's gross monthly income must fall below a certain threshold — the limit varies by family size and changes each year. CHA can tell you the current limits when you call. You do not have to choose between the two; you can be on both waiting lists at the same time.

Documents You Need to Request an process

Before you contact CHA to request an process, gather the following documents. Having them ready speeds up the process and shows you are prepared.

Proof of income: Recent pay stubs (usually the last 30 days), tax returns from the past two years, or a letter from your employer stating your job title and salary. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns and profit-and-loss statements.

Proof of citizenship or legal residency: A birth certificate, passport, green card, or work permit. At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or have legal permanent resident status.

Photo ID: A driver's license, state ID, or passport for the person explore.

Social Security numbers: For all household members. Bring Social Security cards or a letter from the Social Security Administration if you do not have cards.

Proof of residency: A utility bill, lease, or mail from a government agency showing your current address. This confirms where you live now.

You do not need all of these before you call to ask for an process. CHA will tell you exactly what to bring when you request one.

What Happens After You Submit an process

Once you submit a completed process, CHA begins a verification process. Staff will contact your employer to confirm income, request documents from you if anything is unclear, and run a background check. They will also verify your citizenship or legal residency status and check your rental history.

This process typically takes four to twelve weeks, depending on how quickly you respond to requests for information and how busy the office is. If CHA needs something from you, respond as soon as possible — delays on your end extend the timeline.

If you are found to meet the income, citizenship, and background requirements, you are placed on the waiting list for the program you applied for. The waiting list is ordered by date of process — first in, first served. CHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available, which may take months or years depending on the program and current demand.

If you do not meet the requirements, CHA will send you a letter explaining why and telling you how to request a hearing if you disagree with the decision.

Income Limits and Rent Calculations

CHA sets income limits based on HUD guidelines. These limits depend on your household size and change each year. A household of one person has a lower limit than a household of four. You must contact CHA directly to learn the current limits for your family size, because they vary annually and differ slightly between public housing and Section 8.

For public housing, your rent is calculated as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, or a minimum rent set by CHA (usually $50 to $100), whichever is higher. If your income drops, your rent drops. If your income rises, your rent rises. CHA reviews your income once a year.

For Section 8, the calculation is similar, but the voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for your area and bedroom size. You pay 30 percent of your income, and the voucher covers the rest — up to the fair market rent limit. If you find an apartment that costs more than the fair market rent, you pay the difference out of pocket.

Waiting List Status and How Long It Takes

CHA maintains separate waiting lists for public housing and Section 8. Both lists are sometimes open and sometimes closed. When a list is closed, CHA is not accepting new applications because the current list is long enough. When it reopens, you have a window of time — usually a few weeks or months — to submit an process.

You can call CHA to find out whether the waiting lists are currently open. This is the first question to ask. If a list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen. Some people check back every few months; others set a reminder to call quarterly.

Wait times vary widely. Public housing waiting lists in Charleston typically range from six months to two years, depending on the size of unit you need. Section 8 waiting lists are often longer — sometimes three to five years or more. These are estimates; your actual wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available.

Once you are on the waiting list, CHA will contact you when something becomes available. You must respond within a set timeframe (usually 10 business days) or you lose your place. If you move or your phone number changes, notify CHA when ready so they can reach you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waiting lists at the same time?

Yes. You can submit applications for both programs. Being on both lists does not hurt your chances for either one. Some people prefer public housing because rent is capped at 30 percent of income; others prefer Section 8 because they can choose where to live. Having both options open gives you flexibility.

What if my income is above the limit when I explore?

You will not be found to meet the requirements. CHA uses gross monthly income — before taxes — to determine may be able to access. If your household income is even slightly above the limit, you do not may have access to. You can ask CHA what the exact limit is for your household size before you explore, so you know whether to proceed.

How do I check on my process status?

Call CHA at (843) 723-3800 and provide your name and process number (you receive this when you submit). Staff can tell you whether your process is still being processed, whether you are on the waiting list, or whether a decision has been made. You can also visit the office in person.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

CHA runs background checks and reviews rental history. Some convictions and evictions disqualify you; others do not. The rules are complex and depend on the type of offense, how long ago it occurred, and other factors. Call CHA and ask whether your specific situation would disqualify you before you spend time on an process.

Can I transfer between public housing and Section 8 after I am placed?

No. Once you are in public housing, you stay in public housing unless you leave the program. Once you have a Section 8 voucher, you keep the voucher but you choose your own apartment. You cannot convert one to the other. If you want to switch programs, you would need to leave your current program and reapply to the other one, which means going back on the waiting list.