Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Last Updated

Yesterday

About Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing

Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing (HUD agency code NC046) is the public housing agency serving Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina. It administers 298 public housing units.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 7 waiting lists at this agency, covering HCV, Other, Supportive, Mainstream, PBV, Public Housing, RAD. As of Aug 4, 2026, 3 are open and 4 are closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $57,800 per year, and as Low Income at or below $92,500 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 7 status changes at this agency, most recently on Sep 30, 2026.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Sep 21, 2026

How to Apply

Online or In-person

Application deadline has passed
Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026
Open Now

Additional Notes

Orange County's Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is open for pre-applications. Only one pre-application per household is allowed.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online or Email or Phone

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This program helps permanent Town of Chapel Hill employees with household incomes at or below 115% AMI (homebuyer) or 80% AMI (rental) to live within five miles of town limits and requires completion of counseling.

Supportive & Transitional Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Phone

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

This program is for current public housing residents who meet eligibility criteria and want to transition to homeownership or private rental housing; eligible applicants are placed on a program waitlist. Eligibility includes being a current public housing resident, timely rent payments, and no lease violations for 12 months.

Other Programs

4 programs

These 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.

Mainstream Voucher
Closed

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.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV)
Closed

All Orange County Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher Program waiting lists, including PBV, are currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Public Housing
Closed

The Public Housing waitlist was temporarily closed as of March 28, 2026, due to significant demand, with 373 applicants on the waitlist.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)
Closed

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.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

HCV Opened 5 days ago

Deadline: Oct 2, 2026

Supportive Opened Jul 24, 2026
RAD Closed Jun 18, 2026
PBV Closed Jun 18, 2026
Mainstream Closed Jun 18, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 28, 2026
Supportive Closed Mar 22, 2026

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.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

City Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone
(919) ███-████
Email
██████@townofchapelhill.org
PHA Code NC046
Public Housing Units 298

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • 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

1

Check Current Status

Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing currently has 3 open waiting lists (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Other Programs, Supportive & Transitional Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

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 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) open

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. The application window closes on October 2, 2026.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs 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.

Supportive Supportive & Transitional Housing open

The Supportive & 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 (PBV) 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.

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.

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) 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?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing administers 7 programs (Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Other Programs, Supportive & Transitional Housing, Mainstream Voucher, Project-Based Voucher (PBV), Public Housing, Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office.
How long is the wait at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
Wait times at Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing depend on demand in Chapel Hill, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 298 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on September 30, 2026 when the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing, including Orange County Housing Authority (11 mi), The Housing Authority of the City of Durham (13 mi), The Graham Housing Authority (19 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in North Carolina and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in North Carolina.
How do I contact Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing?
Income limits for Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Durham-Chapel Hill, NC HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $126,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $57,800. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $126,200 Effective April 1, 2025
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.