FAQs

For the current status of Raleigh Housing Authority public housing and voucher waiting lists, visit our waiting list info page here: rhanc.gov/waiting-list/

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.

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. Visit our Resources web page for information on other types of assistance.

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. Visit our Resources page for more information.

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. For legal assistance, contact Legal Aid of North Carolina.

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.

For the current status of Raleigh Housing Authority public housing and voucher waiting lists and information on how to apply, visit our waiting list info page here: rhanc.gov/waiting-list/

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 currently on the waiting list may make changes to their application by logging into their account on the RentCafe portal. Click the “Report a Change” section: portal.rhanc.gov/

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.