Housing Choice Voucher FAQs

There is no simple answer to this question because an applicant’s wait will depend upon the date of application and the preferences for which they qualify. In general, an applicant’s wait for assisted housing may be months to several years. RHA notifies the applicant in writing once their name is pulled from the list. It’s imperative that the contact information for the applicant is always up to date.

As of 5pm on October 31, 2023, all Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA) Section 8 Voucher and Public Housing waiting lists are temporarily closed and are not accepting new applications. The best way to keep informed about our waiting lists is to check our website frequently, www.rhaonline.com. Sign up to receive email updates about our waitlist status here: http://bit.ly/RHA_waitlist.

The waiting list for a Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher is 4-7 years long. The waiting list for Public Housing fluctuates due to purging of applications.

RHA does not give out numbers on the waiting list simply because your position may shift as new applicants are added and others are taken off the waiting list(s).

Preferences do not guarantee admission. They establish the order of placement on the waiting list. Preferences for Public Housing are:

• Applicants who live or work in Wake County.
• Mobility-impaired applicants when a mobility accessible unit is available.
• Working families: Defined as twenty-four months of uninterrupted employment of 35 hours per week or more by the head of household, co-head or spouse.
• Elderly: Defined as 62 years of age or older.
• Disabled

No. Federally subsidized housing is not an entitlement program like other forms of public assistance. Even though you qualify and/or may be in desperate need of housing assistance. there are not enough funds to assist everyone who qualifies. This is why the waiting lists and timeframes are so long.

Unfortunately RHA does not have emergency subsidy or emergency housing. We will refer you to agencies in town that provide emergency shelter and assistance. However, their assistance is not guaranteed due to the volume of families in need.

We are unable to assist with evictions. RHA does not operate emergency housing or have emergency subsidy. We were established to provide long term rental assistance to low-income families that qualify for our program. Each program participant is required to apply and be added to our waiting list. Housing assistance is provided only to families selected from the waiting list according to local preferences and date and time of application.

Affordable Housing is rental property that is owned, managed, and leased by a housing authority. The Raleigh Housing Authority owns and manages apartments in several public housing communities which are leased to low-income people at an income-based rental rate in the Raleigh area only.

Housing Choice Voucher Program rental property is owned and managed by private landlords who opt to lease the unit to a HCVP/Section 8 program participant. These landlords typically advertise their property in the local newspaper and/or on housing websites. The housing authority/housing agency subsidizes a portion of the tenant’s rent to the landlord based on the tenant’s income. RHA administers HCVP/Section 8 rental assistance in the Wake County area only.

Yes, you may. If you are already on the HCVP waiting list and need a place soon, applying for Public Housing may increase your chance for receiving housing more quickly. If Public Housing is your first offer for housing assistance, you will be required to remain in your unit for one year before you can be admitted into the HCV program.

(Note: Waitlists are currently closed to new applications.)

To apply for Section 8 housing, please complete the RHA Housing Assistance Application. You can obtain an application from the Leased Housing lobby located at 900 Haynes Street, Raleigh, NC 27604 or download an application from the RHA website at www.rhaonline.com. You can submit your completed application via US mail or hand deliver it to our office.

(Note: Waitlists are currently closed to new applications.)

After applying for a Housing Choice Voucher, if additional information is needed it will be requested once your name reaches the top of the waiting list.

After applying for Public Housing, additional information/documentation may be required.

Applicants can update their information by completing the Application Status Change/Update Form located in the Leased Housing lobby or printing and mailing a form in from our website under Forms.

No. Each program has its own waiting list and you will need to wait until you reach the top on either list.

You may transfer within the Public Housing Program from one conventional public housing unit to another conventional public housing unit. To transfer to an incentive community, you must be on that particular site-based waiting list.

RHA does not assist with rental assistance or currently participate in the Veterans Housing Program. However, interested families can visit the local Veterans Office to find out about participating housing authorities.