The Durham Housing Authority runs public housing and rental information programs in Durham County

The Durham Housing Authority (DHA) is a local government agency that owns and manages public housing units across Durham and operates rental information programs for low-income residents. It is not a federal office — it is the actual landlord for some properties and the administrator of voucher programs that help tenants pay rent in privately owned apartments. If you live in Durham and need affordable housing information, DHA is the first place to contact because they know what programs are currently open and whether funding exists.

DHA's main office is located in Durham, and they handle applications, lease questions, maintenance requests, and payment issues for their own properties. They also administer the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), which is separate from public housing but run by the same agency. Understanding which program you are dealing with matters because the rules, process process, and wait times are different.

Key Takeaways

  • Durham Housing Authority manages both public housing units and the Housing Choice Voucher program, and you contact the same office for either one.
  • Public housing wait lists in Durham are typically long, and DHA maintains a single combined list that you can join by visiting their office or calling their main number.
  • The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) has its own separate wait list and different income limits, and DHA can tell you whether either list is currently open.
  • DHA requires proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a background check for any program, so gather those documents before you contact them.
  • Maintenance requests for DHA-owned units go through a work order system, and emergency repairs (no heat, no water) should be reported by phone rather than email.

How to reach Durham Housing Authority and what to bring

Call DHA's main office during business hours to ask about current openings, wait list status, or to request an process. Have your Social Security number, current address, and phone number ready. If you are calling about a specific unit or lease issue, have your lease or unit number available. DHA staff can tell you in one call whether the public housing list or voucher list is open, how long the wait typically is, and what documents you will need to bring.

When you visit in person to explore or turn in documents, bring a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of citizenship or legal residency (passport, green card, or birth certificate), and Social Security cards for all household members. If you are currently homeless or living in a shelter, bring whatever documentation you have — DHA has a separate process for people without a fixed address. If you have a criminal record or eviction history, do not wait to disclose it; ask DHA directly whether it will affect your may be able to access, because policies vary by program.

Public housing versus the Housing Choice Voucher program

DHA owns and operates public housing — actual apartment buildings and complexes where DHA is your landlord. Rent is based on your income (typically 30 percent of what you earn), and DHA handles maintenance and repairs. Public housing wait lists are usually long in Durham, sometimes years, because demand is high and the number of units is limited. You explore once and stay on the list until a unit becomes available or you withdraw your process.

The Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) works differently: DHA gives you a voucher that you use to rent from a private landlord, and DHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You find your own apartment (within DHA's price limits), the landlord must accept the voucher, and you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent. Voucher wait lists are also long, but the program gives you more choice in where you live. Both programs have income limits, and both require a background check.

Wait lists and how long they typically take

Durham Housing Authority maintains separate wait lists for public housing and for the Housing Choice Voucher program. Public housing wait times vary depending on the size of unit you need and current turnover, but in many cases the wait is measured in years rather than months. The voucher program wait list is also long. DHA can tell you the current wait time when you call or visit, but these numbers change as people move, leave the program, or are housed.

Once you are on a wait list, DHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You must respond within a set timeframe (usually a few days) or you lose your place. If your circumstances change — you move, your income increases above the limit, or you no longer need housing — contact DHA to withdraw so someone else can move up the list. Some people stay on a wait list for years and are never called; this is normal and does not mean you did anything wrong.

Maintenance requests and emergency repairs

If you live in a DHA-owned unit and need a repair, submit a work order request through DHA's system. For non-emergency repairs (a leaky faucet, a broken cabinet, a cracked window), you can usually submit a request online, by phone, or in person at the DHA office. DHA aims to respond within a set timeframe, though the actual wait depends on the severity and the number of requests ahead of you.

For emergencies — no heat in winter, no water, a gas leak, a roof leak into your unit, or anything that makes the unit unsafe — call DHA's emergency line when ready rather than waiting to submit a form. Keep a record of when you reported the problem and what you reported. If DHA does not respond within a reasonable time to a serious repair, document the issue and contact a local legal aid organization, as you may have rights under housing codes.

Income limits and what disqualifies you

DHA programs have income limits that change yearly. For public housing and vouchers, your household income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income, though some programs serve people up to 80 percent of median. DHA will calculate your income based on what you report, and they verify it with tax returns, pay stubs, and employer letters. Income includes wages, Social Security, child support, unemployment benefits, and other regular money coming in.

Criminal history and eviction records do not automatically disqualify you, but DHA will review them. Violent felonies, drug manufacturing, and sex offenses have stricter rules. An eviction for non-payment of rent may disqualify you, but an eviction for lease violation (like a noise complaint) may not. Ask DHA directly about your specific situation before you assume you are ineligible. If you are denied, DHA must tell you why and give you a chance to dispute the decision.

Rent payment and lease responsibilities

For public housing, you pay rent directly to DHA, usually by check, automatic bank transfer, or in person at the office. Your rent is recalculated yearly based on your income, so if your income changes, report it to DHA so your rent adjusts. If you fall behind on rent, contact DHA when ready to discuss a payment plan; eviction is a last resort, but it can happen if you do not pay and do not communicate.

Your lease with DHA is a legal contract, and you are responsible for keeping the unit in good condition, not disturbing neighbors, and following all lease rules. If DHA issues you a notice to vacate or starts an eviction, you have legal rights, and you should contact a legal aid organization in Durham when ready. Do not ignore the notice — showing up in court and explaining your situation is important.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if the wait list is open right now?

Call Durham Housing Authority's main office and ask whether the public housing list or voucher list is currently accepting new applications. Lists open and close based on funding and staffing, so the answer changes. DHA staff can tell you the status in one call and explain when the list might reopen if it is closed.

What if I have an eviction on my record?

Contact DHA and ask directly. An eviction for non-payment is treated differently than an eviction for lease violation, and DHA's policy depends on how long ago it happened and the reason. Being honest upfront is better than having DHA discover it during the background check.

Can I explore for both public housing and a voucher at the same time?

Yes. The two programs have separate wait lists, and you can be on both. If you are housed through one program, you typically withdraw from the other, but there is no rule against explore to both while you are waiting.

What happens if I do not respond when DHA calls about a unit?

You lose your place on the wait list. DHA usually gives you a few days to respond. If you miss the important date, you have to reapply and start over. If your phone number changes, update DHA when ready so they can reach you.

Do I have to pay for maintenance repairs in a DHA unit?

No. DHA is responsible for repairs to the structure, systems, and appliances. You are responsible for damage you cause, but normal wear and tear is DHA's responsibility. If DHA charges you for a repair you did not cause, dispute it in writing.