What the Spartanburg Housing Authority does

The Spartanburg Housing Authority (SHA) is a public agency that runs public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It does not set housing policy for the city or county — it administers two specific programs that help people with low incomes afford housing. The Authority owns and manages public housing properties, and it distributes vouchers that subsidize rent at privately owned apartments.

SHA is separate from the city and county governments, though it receives some funding through federal grants. It is not a landlord for all housing in Spartanburg — it manages only its own properties and vouchers. If you rent from a private landlord or own your home, SHA does not regulate your lease or property taxes.

Key Takeaways

  • The Spartanburg Housing Authority runs public housing properties and distributes Section 8 vouchers; both programs serve people with low incomes.
  • Public housing is owned and managed by SHA itself; Section 8 vouchers let you rent from any private landlord who accepts them.
  • Both programs have waiting lists that can be months or years long, and SHA opens and closes them based on funding and demand.
  • You can contact SHA directly at their main office to ask about current waiting list status, income limits, and what documents you need.
  • SHA also administers emergency rental information and other federal programs when funding is available; call to ask what is currently open.

Public housing managed by SHA

SHA owns and operates public housing apartments throughout Spartanburg County. These are properties where SHA is the landlord — you sign a lease with the Authority, pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and SHA maintains the building. Public housing is not temporary; you can stay as long as you meet the lease terms and income limits.

Public housing waiting lists in Spartanburg are typically closed or have long wait times. When a list is open, SHA accepts applications for a set period, then closes it until units become available. The Authority prioritizes based on date of process and sometimes on factors like homelessness or medical need. You can call SHA to ask whether the public housing waiting list is currently open and what the wait time is estimated to be.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

A Section 8 voucher is a subsidy that goes to your landlord, allowing you to rent an apartment at a lower cost. You find your own apartment (the landlord must accept Section 8), sign a lease, and SHA pays the difference between your portion of the rent and the market rent, up to a limit set by the program. You typically pay 30 percent of your income toward rent; SHA covers the rest.

The Section 8 waiting list in Spartanburg is also typically closed. When it opens, SHA accepts applications for a limited time. Wait times can be several years depending on funding and turnover. SHA maintains a single waiting list for the county, so you explore once and are ranked by date of process. Call the Authority to confirm whether the list is open and what the current wait time is.

Income limits and who can participate

Both public housing and Section 8 are limited to households with incomes below a certain threshold. The limit varies by household size and is set by the federal government each year. For Spartanburg, the income limits change annually, so you need to check with SHA directly to see whether your household income falls within the range.

You must also be a U.S. citizen or have may be able to access immigration status, have a valid Social Security number, and pass a background check. SHA will ask about criminal history and eviction history; some convictions or recent evictions can disqualify you. The Authority has discretion in how it weighs past issues, so ask SHA directly if you have concerns about your background.

How to contact the Spartanburg Housing Authority

The Spartanburg Housing Authority's main office is located in Spartanburg. You can reach them by phone to ask about waiting list status, income limits, what documents to bring, and whether other programs are currently open. SHA staff can tell you whether you meet basic requirements and what the next step is.

When you call or visit, have your household income information ready, the names and ages of everyone in your household, and your Social Security number. Ask specifically whether the public housing or Section 8 waiting list is open, what the current wait time is, and what documents you need to bring if you want to explore. If the list is closed, ask when it is expected to reopen.

Other programs SHA administers

Beyond public housing and Section 8, SHA sometimes administers emergency rental information, utility information, and other federal programs when funding is available. These programs come and go depending on federal appropriations and state allocation. Call SHA to ask what programs are currently open and whether you might be able to use one.

Emergency rental information, when available, helps people who have fallen behind on rent or utilities due to a recent hardship. The program pays the landlord or utility company directly. Approval can take several weeks, and funds are limited, so programs often close when money runs out. SHA can tell you whether the fund is open and what the timeline is.

What SHA does not do

SHA does not regulate private rental housing, set rent prices, or enforce tenant rights in the private market. If you have a dispute with a private landlord — over repairs, security deposits, or eviction — you need to contact the Spartanburg County housing court or a legal aid organization, not SHA. SHA only manages its own properties and vouchers.

SHA also does not provide homeownership information, down payment help, or mortgage counseling. If you are looking to buy a home, contact a nonprofit housing counselor or your local community development office. SHA's role is limited to rental housing for people with low incomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it usually take to get a Section 8 voucher?

Wait times vary widely depending on funding and how many people are on the list. In Spartanburg, the wait can be several years. Call SHA to ask for the current estimated wait time. Some people never reach the top of the list if they move away or no longer meet income limits, so the list moves slowly.

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

Yes. You can explore for both programs. If you receive a Section 8 voucher, you typically must leave the public housing list, but you can be on both while waiting. Ask SHA whether there are any restrictions in Spartanburg specifically.

What happens if my income goes above the limit?

If you are in public housing or using a Section 8 voucher and your income rises above the limit, you usually have a grace period (often one year) before you must leave the program. SHA will notify you and explain your options. Some programs allow you to stay if your income only slightly exceeds the limit.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher in a different city or state?

Section 8 vouchers are portable, meaning you can move to another area and use your voucher there. However, you must contact the housing authority in the new location and request a transfer. The process takes time, and the new authority must have funding available. Plan ahead if you are thinking of moving.

What if the waiting list is closed?

When SHA's waiting list is closed, you cannot explore. Call periodically to ask when it might reopen, or ask to be notified if the list opens. Some people check back every few months. In the meantime, explore other options like emergency rental information (if you are behind on rent) or nonprofit housing counseling.