Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing
The Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing (PHA Code: NC046) is located in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina. This department manages approximately 298 assisted housing units across its programs.
Program types include Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Mainstream, Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD), and Transitional Housing. All waiting lists for these programs are currently closed. Notably, the Public Housing and Transitional Housing waitlists recently changed from open/unknown to closed.
For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area is $57,800 per year. Potential applicants should monitor for future announcements regarding waitlist openings.
Other Programs
6 programsThese programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.
All Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) HCV program waitlists are currently closed, and no applications are being accepted at this time.
The waitlist has preferences for Orange County residents (disabled, elderly, homeless, rent burdened, involuntary displaced) and for those outside Orange County (employed, rent burdened, involuntary displaced, elderly, homeless, disabled, or victim of domestic violence).
This program is for current Public Housing residents transitioning to private market housing, requiring eligibility like paying at least $450/month in rent and no lease violations in the past 12 months.
Mainstream Vouchers provide rental assistance specifically for non-elderly persons with disabilities. The program helps individuals transition out of institutional settings or avoid institutionalization by subsidizing housing costs in the private market.
Project-Based Vouchers are tied to specific housing units rather than following the tenant. Landlords or developers partner with the housing authority to reserve units for eligible low-income families. Unlike tenant-based HCV vouchers, PBV assistance stays with the unit if the tenant moves.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Go to Official SiteWARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.
How to Apply at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing
Check Current Status
All 3 waiting lists at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $57,800/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.
Submit Your Application
Apply directly through the official Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing manages approximately 298 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Chapel Hill. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Chapel Hill. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing manages approximately 298 Public Housing units in Chapel Hill. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
Transitional Housing closed
The Transitional Housing program at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Chapel Hill. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
PBV Project-Based Voucher closed
Project-Based Vouchers at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Chapel Hill. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Chapel Hill maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing free?
How long is the wait at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
What are the income limits for Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $57,800. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.
| Household Size | Extremely Low 30% AMI |
Very Low 50% AMI |
Low Income 80% AMI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Person | $24,300 | $40,500 | $64,750 |
| 2 Persons | $27,800 | $46,250 | $74,000 |
| 3 Persons | $31,250 | $52,050 | $83,250 |
| 4 Persons | $34,700 | $57,800 | $92,500 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $62,450 | $99,900 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $67,050 | $107,300 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $71,700 | $114,700 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $76,300 | $122,100 |
What do these income limits mean?
Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.
Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.
Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing — including across state lines.