What Wake County Housing Authority does

Wake County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a local government agency that manages public housing and rental vouchers in Wake County, North Carolina. It does not build or own most of the housing it oversees — instead, it pays landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits, and it maintains a waiting list for people seeking vouchers or public housing units.

WCHA is separate from your city government. Even if you live in Raleigh, Durham, or Cary, you work with WCHA for county-level housing programs. The agency is run by a board of commissioners and funded through federal housing dollars passed through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The two main things WCHA administers are the Housing Choice Voucher Program (often called Section 8) and public housing — older apartment complexes and townhouses that WCHA owns or leases directly. Both require you to be on a waiting list, and both have income caps that vary by family size.

Key Takeaways

  • WCHA manages two separate programs: Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) and public housing units, each with its own waiting list and income limits.
  • You must contact WCHA directly to get on a waiting list; there is no online process, and lists often close when they reach capacity.
  • Income limits are set by HUD and vary by family size — a single person in Wake County typically cannot earn more than about $35,000 to $40,000 per year, though this changes annually.
  • Once you receive a voucher or are offered a unit, you will need to provide proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, and a background check.
  • Wait times for both programs can be several years, and WCHA may contact you only when a unit or voucher becomes available.

How to get on the WCHA waiting list

Contact WCHA directly by phone, mail, or in person at their main office. The agency does not accept online applications. You will need to call or visit to ask whether the waiting list is open for the program you want — Housing Choice Vouchers, public housing, or both.

When you call or visit, WCHA staff will tell you what documents to bring or mail in. Typically, you will need to provide proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of citizenship or legal residency status. If you are currently homeless or living in an unsafe situation, tell WCHA — some programs prioritize people in crisis.

After you submit your process, WCHA will send you a confirmation letter with your process number. Keep this letter. The agency will contact you only when your name reaches the top of the list and a unit or voucher is available — this can take months or years. Do not assume you have been denied if you do not hear back; the list is straightforward long.

Income limits and what you will pay

WCHA sets income limits based on HUD guidelines and family size. These limits change each year. For a single person, the limit is typically in the range of $35,000 to $40,000 per year; for a family of four, it is usually around $55,000 to $60,000. You must contact WCHA directly to learn the exact current limits, because they shift annually and vary slightly by program.

If you are offered a voucher or unit, your rent will be based on your income. You typically pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income toward rent, and WCHA pays the landlord the rest (up to a limit set by the program). If your income drops, your rent payment drops. If your income rises above the limit, you may lose the voucher or be asked to leave public housing.

WCHA will ask you to report income changes within 30 days. Failing to report can result in overpayment, which you may have to repay, or termination of your information.

Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) through WCHA

A Housing Choice Voucher is a monthly payment WCHA sends to a private landlord on your behalf. You find the apartment yourself — it does not have to be a WCHA property — and the landlord must agree to accept the voucher. WCHA pays the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for that unit in Wake County.

Once you receive a voucher, you have a limited time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find a unit and have it inspected by WCHA. The unit must pass a housing quality inspection, which checks for things like working plumbing, heat, and safe electrical wiring. If the landlord's unit fails inspection, you will need to find a different place.

The voucher is portable — if you move to another county in North Carolina or another state, you can request to transfer it, though WCHA must approve the transfer and the new area must have a program that accepts transfers.

Public housing units managed by WCHA

Public housing means an apartment or townhouse that WCHA owns or leases. These are older properties, often built in the 1970s and 1980s, and they are scattered throughout Wake County. WCHA maintains them and sets the rules for who can live there.

Rent in public housing is also based on 30 percent of your income. The unit is inspected regularly by WCHA staff, and you must follow a lease that includes rules about guests, noise, and maintenance. If you violate the lease, WCHA can evict you.

Public housing has a separate waiting list from the voucher program. Some people are on both lists at once, hoping to get whichever becomes available first. Wait times for public housing can be as long as or longer than for vouchers, depending on the size unit you need.

What happens after you are offered housing

When WCHA calls to tell you a unit or voucher is available, you will have a short window — usually 24 to 48 hours — to confirm you want it. If you do not respond, WCHA will move to the next person on the list and you will go to the back of the queue.

If you accept, WCHA will schedule an appointment for you to sign paperwork and provide final documents. You will need to bring proof of income (recent pay stubs or tax returns), proof of identity, and proof of citizenship or legal residency. WCHA will also run a background check and may contact previous landlords or employers.

For a voucher, you then have 60 to 120 days to find an apartment. For public housing, WCHA will tell you which unit is yours and when you can move in. You will sign a lease with WCHA and pay your first month's rent plus any required deposits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for WCHA?

Wait times vary by program and unit size. For Housing Choice Vouchers, the wait can be two to five years or longer. For public housing, it depends on the size unit you need — smaller units may have shorter waits than larger family units. WCHA can tell you the approximate wait time when you explore, but it is not may provide.

What if I am currently homeless or in an emergency?

Tell WCHA when you explore. Some programs have priority categories for people experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. WCHA may also refer you to emergency rental information or other crisis programs while you wait for a voucher or unit.

Can I lose my voucher or public housing if my income goes up?

Yes. If your income rises above the program limit, WCHA will terminate your information. Some programs allow a brief period of higher income before termination, but you must report all income changes within 30 days. Check your lease or voucher agreement for the exact rules.

What if I move out of Wake County?

If you have a Housing Choice Voucher, you can request a transfer to another housing authority in North Carolina or another state, but the receiving authority must have available vouchers and must approve the transfer. If you have public housing, you must move out and your lease ends — you cannot transfer to another county's public housing without reapplying.

How do I contact WCHA?

Call WCHA's main office or visit in person. The agency's phone number and address are listed on the Wake County government website under "Housing Authority." Hours are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring your ID and any documents you have about your housing situation when you visit.