What the Charleston Housing Authority does

The Charleston Housing Authority is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing for low-income households in Charleston, South Carolina. It administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, which helps tenants pay rent at privately owned apartments and houses. The Authority also owns and operates public housing developments where tenants pay rent based on their income.

The Authority is a separate legal entity from the City of Charleston government, though it serves the city and surrounding areas. It is governed by a board of commissioners and funded through a mix of federal housing subsidies, tenant rent payments, and other revenue sources. The main office is located in downtown Charleston, and the Authority maintains several community service centers.

Key Takeaways

  • The Charleston Housing Authority runs two main programs: Section 8 vouchers that work with private landlords, and public housing that the Authority owns directly.
  • Section 8 vouchers typically have long waiting lists, and the Authority periodically opens and closes the list depending on funding and demand.
  • Tenants in Authority housing pay rent based on 30 percent of their household income, with the Authority covering the rest from federal funds.
  • The Authority has a maintenance and repair department that handles requests in public housing units, and tenants can file complaints if repairs are not made in a reasonable time.
  • You can contact the Authority directly to ask about current program status, waiting list openings, and what documents you will need to provide.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers in Charleston

The Section 8 program gives may be able to access households a voucher that covers part of the rent at a private apartment or house. The tenant pays the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. The voucher amount is based on the fair market rent for the area, which the federal government sets each year. In Charleston, fair market rents vary by neighborhood and unit size.

The waiting list for Section 8 vouchers in Charleston is typically closed because demand far exceeds available funding. When the list opens, the Authority announces it through local media and on its website. Households that are accepted onto the waiting list may wait months or years before receiving a voucher. The Authority prioritizes households based on criteria such as homelessness, living in substandard housing, or paying more than 50 percent of income toward rent.

Once you receive a voucher, you search for a rental unit on your own. The landlord must agree to participate in the program and allow the Authority to inspect the unit. The Authority will not pay for a unit that fails inspection or costs more than the voucher amount. You and the landlord sign a lease, and the Authority pays its portion directly to the landlord each month.

Public Housing operated by the Charleston Housing Authority

The Authority owns and manages several public housing developments in Charleston. These are apartment complexes and scattered-site homes where the Authority is the landlord. Tenants in public housing pay rent equal to 30 percent of their household income, or the minimum rent set by the Authority, whichever is higher. The minimum rent is typically between $25 and $50 per month.

Public housing units are older on average than private rentals, but the Authority is responsible for all maintenance and repairs. Tenants can request repairs by contacting the maintenance department. If a repair is not made within a reasonable time — usually 14 to 30 days depending on the urgency — tenants may file a complaint with the Authority's management office or contact the local housing authority ombudsman.

Waiting lists for public housing are also typically long. The Authority maintains a single waiting list for all its developments. When you explore, you can request specific developments or indicate you will accept any available unit. The Authority will contact you when a unit matching your family size becomes available.

How to contact the Charleston Housing Authority

The main office of the Charleston Housing Authority is located at 701 East Bay Street, Charleston, SC 29403. The phone number is (843) 723-7275. The Authority's website is charlestonhousing.org, where you can find information about current programs, waiting list status, and how to request an process.

You can visit the office in person to ask questions about Section 8 or public housing, request an process, or submit documents. The office is open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. If you cannot visit in person, you can call to ask whether the waiting list is currently open or to request that an process be mailed to you.

The Authority also has a tenant services department that can answer questions about lease terms, rent calculations, maintenance requests, and tenant rights. If you are a current tenant and have a dispute with the Authority, you can request a hearing before the Authority's board of commissioners.

Income limits and household size requirements

Both Section 8 and public housing have income limits based on the area median income for Charleston. Households must earn below a certain percentage of the median income to be considered. The exact income limit depends on household size and changes each year as the median income is recalculated. For example, a household of four may have a different limit than a household of two.

The Authority counts income from all household members age 18 and older, including wages, Social Security, disability benefits, child support, and unemployment benefits. Some income is excluded, such as income of children under 18 and certain types of information. You will need to provide recent pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit statements to prove your income.

Household size is the number of people who will live in the unit. The Authority uses household size to determine which unit sizes you are may be able to access for. A household of four would typically be offered a two-bedroom or three-bedroom unit, not a studio or one-bedroom.

Lease terms and tenant responsibilities in Authority housing

Tenants in Authority housing must sign a lease that includes the Authority's house rules and tenant responsibilities. The lease typically requires tenants to keep the unit clean and in good condition, pay rent on time, not engage in criminal activity, and allow the Authority to inspect the unit. Violations of the lease can result in a notice to cure or quit, which gives the tenant a set number of days to fix the problem or move out.

The Authority can evict a tenant for non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. Before eviction, the Authority must provide written notice and an opportunity for the tenant to respond. If the tenant does not cure the violation or move out, the Authority files for eviction in court. The tenant has the right to appear in court and present a defense.

Tenants also have the right to request reasonable accommodations for disabilities and to request modifications to the unit if needed. The Authority must respond to these requests in writing and cannot deny them without a legitimate reason.

What happens if you have a problem with the Charleston Housing Authority

If you believe the Authority has violated your lease, failed to make repairs, or treated you unfairly, you can file a complaint. The first step is to contact the Authority's management office or tenant services department in writing, describing the problem and what you want the Authority to do. Keep a copy of your complaint and any response.

If the Authority does not respond or you disagree with the response, you can request a hearing before the Authority's board of commissioners. The hearing gives you a chance to present your side of the story and hear the Authority's response. The board will make a decision based on the evidence presented.

You can also contact a legal aid organization in Charleston that helps low-income tenants. Organizations like the Charleston School of Law's Community Law Center or the South Carolina Appleseed Legal Justice Center may be able to help you understand your rights or represent you in a dispute with the Authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Charleston Housing Authority waiting list currently open?

The waiting list status changes based on funding and demand. You can check the Authority's website at charlestonhousing.org or call (843) 723-7275 to ask whether Section 8 or public housing applications are being accepted. The Authority will tell you how long the current waiting list is and when you might expect to hear back.

What documents do I need to bring to explore?

You will need a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of citizenship or legal residency, and a list of all household members with their dates of birth. If you are receiving benefits, bring a recent benefit statement. The Authority will give you a full list of required documents when you request an process.

Can I choose which public housing development I want to live in?

You can request specific developments when you explore, but the Authority will offer you the first available unit that matches your household size, regardless of location. If you turn down a unit, you may be moved to the bottom of the waiting list or removed entirely, depending on the Authority's policy.

What if my landlord will not accept a Section 8 voucher?

Landlords are not required to participate in the Section 8 program. If a landlord refuses, you will need to find a different unit. The Authority can provide a list of landlords who have participated in the past, though participation changes over time. You can also contact community organizations in Charleston that help Section 8 tenants find housing.

How long does it take to get a Section 8 voucher after I am approved?

The time varies depending on how many people are ahead of you on the waiting list and how much funding the Authority has. Some households wait months; others wait years. Once you reach the top of the list and are called, you typically have 60 to 120 days to find a unit and have it inspected before the voucher is issued.