Where to start: contact your local Public Housing Authority

In North Carolina, Section 8 is run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), not by a single state office. You must contact the PHA that covers your county or city — there is no statewide application. The PHA you contact depends on where you want to live, not where you currently live.

Find your local PHA by searching the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency website or by calling 211 (a free referral line that works across the state). When you call, have your county name ready. The PHA will tell you whether their waitlist is open, how long the wait typically is, and what documents you need to bring.

Some North Carolina PHAs have short waitlists; others have closed their lists and are not taking new names. This changes year to year. Calling first saves you a trip if the list is closed.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local Public Housing Authority directly — Section 8 is not managed statewide, and each PHA has its own waitlist and rules.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • Most North Carolina PHAs require you to be present in person to start the process, though some now accept initial applications by mail or online.
  • After you are on the waitlist, the PHA will call you when a voucher becomes available, which can take months or years depending on the area.
  • Once you receive a voucher, you have a set time (usually 60 days) to find a landlord willing to accept Section 8 before the voucher expires.

Documents you need to bring to the PHA office

Bring originals or certified copies. The PHA will not accept photocopies for most documents. Bring photo identification for the person whose name will be on the lease — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you do not have a photo ID, ask the PHA what alternatives they accept before you go.

Bring proof of income for the past 30 days for every adult in your household. This means recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or a bank statement showing regular deposits. If you receive benefits (Social Security, unemployment, child support), bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you are self-employed, bring tax returns from the past two years and a profit-and-loss statement.

Bring Social Security cards or birth certificates for every person who will live in the unit, including children. Bring proof of citizenship or legal residency — a birth certificate, passport, naturalization papers, or a green card. If anyone in your household is not a U.S. citizen, bring their immigration documents.

Bring your lease if you already have housing, or a letter from a landlord confirming you live there. If you are homeless or staying with family, bring a letter from that person saying you live there. Bring proof of any child support or alimony you pay or receive.

Income limits and household size rules in North Carolina

Section 8 is only for households below a certain income level. That level depends on your household size and which county you live in. North Carolina uses the federal income limits, which change each year. For example, in 2024, a single person in most North Carolina counties could earn no more than roughly $32,000 per year; a family of four could earn no more than roughly $51,000 per year. These numbers vary by county and are updated annually.

Call your local PHA to learn the exact income limit for your household size and county. They will tell you whether your income falls within the range. The PHA counts income from all sources — wages, benefits, child support, rental income — but does not count some types of assistance like food stamps or housing vouchers you already receive.

Your household size includes everyone who will live in the unit. The PHA has rules about how many people can live in each size apartment. A family of five cannot rent a one-bedroom unit, for example. Ask the PHA what unit sizes are available for your household size.

What happens after you submit your application

The PHA will review your documents and tell you whether you are on the waitlist. If documents are missing, they will tell you what to bring back. If your income is too high or you do not meet other rules, they will tell you that you do not meet the requirements and explain why.

If you are approved for the waitlist, the PHA will give you a number or confirmation. Keep this. The PHA will contact you by phone or mail when a voucher becomes available. This can take weeks, months, or years depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many vouchers the PHA receives.

When the PHA calls you, they will schedule an appointment to give you the voucher and explain how it works. You will receive a packet of information about finding a landlord, what the landlord can charge, and what happens next. At this appointment, you will also sign a lease with the PHA that explains your responsibilities as a tenant.

Finding a landlord who accepts Section 8

Once you have a voucher, you have a limited time — usually 60 days — to find a rental unit and a landlord willing to accept Section 8. Not all landlords will. Some refuse because they do not want to deal with the inspection process or because they prefer to set their own rent. You will need to call landlords, check rental websites, and ask friends and family for leads.

When you find a unit, tell the landlord you have a Section 8 voucher. The landlord can charge no more than the fair market rent for that unit in your area, which the PHA sets each year. The PHA will inspect the unit to make sure it meets housing standards before approving the lease. This inspection covers things like working plumbing, heat, and safe electrical wiring.

If the landlord refuses to rent to you because you have a Section 8 voucher, that is illegal under North Carolina law. You can file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission or contact a legal aid organization.

How much you will pay and how much the PHA pays

You pay a portion of the rent yourself, and the PHA pays the rest directly to the landlord. Your share is usually 30 percent of your household income, but it can be less if you have very low income. The PHA calculates your share based on the income you reported when you applied.

The PHA pays the landlord the difference between your share and the fair market rent. If the fair market rent for a two-bedroom in your area is $1,200 and you pay $300, the PHA pays the landlord $900. If your income changes, you must report it to the PHA, and your share may go up or down.

You are responsible for utilities unless the lease says the landlord pays them. The PHA may give you an allowance for utilities, which is subtracted from the rent the PHA pays. Ask about this when you receive your voucher.

Recertification and keeping your voucher

Every year, the PHA will ask you to recertify your income and household information. You will need to bring recent pay stubs, benefit statements, or other proof of income. If your income has changed, tell the PHA. If you do not recertify, the PHA can terminate your voucher.

If you move to a different unit or a different county, you must notify the PHA. Some moves require PHA approval. If you want to move to a different state, you can request a portability transfer, which means your voucher moves with you. Not all states accept portability, so ask the PHA before you plan a move out of North Carolina.

If your landlord evicts you or you break your lease, the PHA can terminate your voucher. If you stop paying your share of the rent, the PHA will terminate the voucher. Keep paying your portion on time, even if the PHA is late paying the landlord.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get Section 8 in North Carolina?

The time varies widely by county. Some areas have waitlists of a few months; others have waitlists of several years or are not taking new names. Call your local PHA to ask how long the current wait is. Even after you receive a voucher, you have 60 days to find a landlord, so plan for several months total from application to move-in.

Can I move to a different county in North Carolina while on the waitlist?

If you move to a different county before you receive a voucher, you will need to apply to that county's PHA. Your name on the first PHA's waitlist does not transfer. If you have already received a voucher, you can request a portability transfer to move within North Carolina, but you must ask the PHA first.

What if I am homeless or do not have a permanent address?

You can still apply for Section 8. Use the address of a shelter, a social services agency, or a trusted friend or family member as your mailing address. Tell the PHA you are homeless when you apply. Some PHAs prioritize homeless households, which may move you up the waitlist faster.

What if my landlord will not accept the PHA's inspection or fair market rent?

The landlord must allow the inspection and cannot charge more than the fair market rent set by the PHA. If the landlord refuses, you will need to find a different unit. You can file a complaint with the PHA or contact a legal aid organization if you believe the landlord is breaking the law.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher to buy a house instead of renting?

Standard Section 8 vouchers are for rental housing only. North Carolina does have a homeownership program called the Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Option, but it is not available through all PHAs and has stricter requirements. Ask your local PHA whether they offer this program.