What the Kinston Housing Authority does

The Kinston Housing Authority (KHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in Kinston, North Carolina. It does not provide emergency rental information, homelessness prevention funds, or other temporary aid programs — those come from the city or Lenoir County. KHA's job is to own and manage public housing units and to manage the voucher program that lets tenants rent from private landlords using a federal subsidy.

If you live in or near Kinston and need housing, you will interact with KHA if you want to live in one of its public housing developments or if you want a voucher to rent elsewhere. Both have waiting lists, and both have income limits. KHA's main office is located in Kinston, and that is where you go to explore for either program or to report maintenance issues if you already live in KHA housing.

Key Takeaways

  • The Kinston Housing Authority runs public housing units and the Section 8 voucher program, but does not administer emergency rental information or other temporary aid.
  • Both public housing and vouchers have income limits based on your household size and the area median income, and both have waiting lists that can be years long.
  • You explore directly at KHA's office in Kinston with proof of income, identity, and residency; there is no online process portal.
  • Once you are in public housing or receive a voucher, you report maintenance issues and rent changes to KHA, not to a separate landlord or agency.

Public housing units managed by KHA

KHA owns and operates public housing developments in Kinston. These are apartment complexes or scattered single-family homes where KHA is the landlord. Your rent is based on your income — typically 30 percent of your adjusted gross monthly income — and KHA covers the rest of the operating cost through federal subsidies.

To live in KHA public housing, your household income must fall below 80 percent of the area median income for Lenoir County. The exact income limit depends on your household size. A single person, a family of four, and a family of eight have different limits. You will need to bring recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to prove your income when you explore.

KHA maintains a waiting list for public housing. The wait time varies — it can be months or several years depending on how many units are available and how many people are ahead of you. KHA does not prioritize based on urgency or hardship; the list is typically first-come, first-served, though some units may be set aside for people over 62 or people with disabilities.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

A Section 8 voucher lets you rent from a private landlord and pay only a portion of the rent yourself. KHA pays the rest directly to the landlord. The amount you pay is still based on your income — usually 30 percent of adjusted gross income — and KHA pays the difference up to the fair market rent for a unit of that size in Kinston.

Income limits for the voucher program are the same as for public housing: your household must earn below 80 percent of area median income. When you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 120 days) to find a landlord who will accept it. Not all landlords participate, so you will need to search and negotiate directly with property owners.

KHA's voucher waiting list is also long. The agency opens the list periodically when it has funding for new vouchers, but it closes when the list reaches a certain size. If the list is closed, you cannot explore until KHA reopens it, which may not happen for months or years.

how the process works to KHA

You explore in person at the Kinston Housing Authority office. There is no online process. Bring a photo ID, proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease in your name). If you are explore for a voucher, you will also need to provide Social Security numbers for all household members.

When you arrive, staff will give you an process form and walk you through it. They will ask about your household size, income, citizenship status, and housing history. If you have an eviction record or criminal history, disclose it — KHA will consider it, but it does not automatically disqualify you. Processing takes several weeks, and KHA will contact you by phone or mail with a decision.

If you are accepted, you will be placed on the waiting list in the order your process was received (or in the order KHA uses if it has preferences for certain populations). You will not hear anything until a unit or voucher becomes available and your name reaches the top of the list.

Maintenance and rent issues if you live in KHA housing

If you live in a KHA public housing unit, you report maintenance problems directly to KHA's maintenance department. Call the main office or visit in person. KHA is responsible for repairs to the unit and the building. You are responsible for keeping the unit clean and not damaging it beyond normal wear and tear.

If your income changes, you must report it to KHA within 30 days. Your rent will be recalculated based on your new income. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. If it goes up, your rent goes up. KHA will send you a new lease or a rent adjustment notice.

If you receive a Section 8 voucher and rent from a private landlord, you still report changes to KHA, not to the landlord. If the landlord makes repairs or if your household size changes, KHA needs to know so it can adjust the subsidy or inspect the unit.

Income limits and how they are calculated

KHA uses the area median income (AMI) for Lenoir County to set income limits. The limit is 80 percent of AMI, and it varies by household size. A household of one has a lower limit than a household of four. KHA publishes these limits each year, usually in the spring.

When KHA calculates your income, it counts wages, self-employment income, Social Security, disability payments, child support, and other regular income. It does not count food stamps, Medicaid, or some other benefits. It also allows deductions for dependent care and medical expenses if you are elderly or disabled.

If your income is right at the limit or just above it, ask KHA staff whether you still may have access to. Some programs allow a small overage, and the calculation can be complex. Do not assume you are ineligible without asking.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for KHA public housing?

The wait time varies and changes as units become available and people move. It can range from a few months to several years. Call KHA's main office to ask how long the current wait is for the type of unit you need (one-bedroom, two-bedroom, etc.). They can also tell you approximately where you would be on the list if you explore today.

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

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists. If you receive a voucher first, you can use it while you wait for public housing, or you can turn down the voucher and stay on the public housing list. KHA will not penalize you for explore for both.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

KHA considers criminal history and evictions but does not automatically deny you. You must disclose it on your process. KHA will review the details — how long ago it was, what the offense was, and whether you have addressed the issue since. Be honest; lying on the process is grounds for denial or removal from housing.

Do I have to live in Kinston to explore to KHA?

You do not have to live in Kinston now, but you must be willing to live there. KHA serves Kinston and the when ready surrounding area. If you live outside that area, ask KHA staff whether you are in their service area before you explore.

What happens if I lose my job while I am on the waiting list?

Your income may drop, but that does not move you up the waiting list. KHA does not prioritize based on hardship or unemployment. However, if your income drops below the limit, you remain may be able to access. Report the change to KHA so your file is current, but expect the same wait time as before.