The Housing Authority of the City of Durham

Durham, North Carolina

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About The Housing Authority of the City of Durham

The Housing Authority of the City of Durham (PHA Code: NC013) is located in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina. It manages approximately 4,188 assisted housing units, comprising 3,294 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 894 Public Housing units.

HACD operates multiple programs, including RAD, Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), Public Housing, and "Other" programs such as Stride at Momentum. Currently, the waitlist for the RAD program is open. The HCV, PBV, and Public Housing waitlists are presently closed, with PBV and Public Housing having recently changed from open to closed status. 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.

Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Mar 22, 2026

How to Apply

Online

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Some Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) developments under RAD may also have Tax Credit programs, requiring applicants to meet associated income limits. Specific projects like Laurel Oaks are 3-bedroom townhouses and require meeting 3-bedroom voucher subsidy standards.

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.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

Waiting lists open periodically. Your wait time averages 24 months. Applicants are limited to very-low income families, elderly, handicapped or disabled persons and families physically displaced by public housing demolition.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Official Portal
Other (Stride at Momentum)
Closed

No waitlist information currently available for this program.

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

Completion of the online pre-application does not guarantee placement on the waiting list. Applicants selected are required to meet program qualifications.

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

The Durham Housing Authority is not currently accepting applications for its general Public Housing waiting list, and it is not scheduled to open soon.

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

Status History

PBV Closed Mar 30, 2026
Public Housing Closed Mar 25, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 25, 2026
RAD Opened Mar 22, 2026
PBV Opened Mar 21, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 21, 2026
RAD Closed Mar 20, 2026
PBV Closed Mar 20, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 20, 2026
RAD Opened Mar 19, 2026
PBV Opened Mar 16, 2026
HCV Opened Mar 16, 2026
RAD Closed Mar 15, 2026
PBV Closed Mar 15, 2026
HCV Closed Mar 15, 2026
RAD Opened Feb 22, 2026
PBV Opened Feb 21, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 21, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 21, 2026
PBV unknown Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official The Housing Authority of the City of Durham portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 423 Morris St
City Durham, NC 27701
PHA Code NC013
Section 8 Units 3,294
Public Housing Units 894

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 The Housing Authority of the City of Durham

1

Check Current Status

The Housing Authority of the City of Durham currently has 1 open waiting list (RAD). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham, 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Durham 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.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. The Housing Authority of the City of Durham manages approximately 4,188 assisted housing units (3,294 Section 8, 894 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Durham. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham

RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration open

The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in Durham maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham 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 Durham. This program serves approximately 3,294 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Other (Stride at Momentum) closed

The Other (Stride at Momentum) program at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Durham. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

PBV Project-Based Voucher closed

Project-Based Vouchers at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Durham. 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Durham are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. The Housing Authority of the City of Durham manages approximately 894 Public Housing units in Durham. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. The Housing Authority of the City of Durham administers 5 programs (RAD, HCV, Other (Stride at Momentum), PBV, Public Housing) — 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 at 423 Morris St, Durham, NC.
How long is the wait at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham?
Wait times at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham depend on demand in Durham, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 4,188 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on March 30, 2026 when the PBV list changed from "open" to "closed." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact The Housing Authority of the City of Durham 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Durham, including Orange County Housing Authority (12 mi), Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing (13 mi), Housing Authority of the City of Raleigh (21 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 The Housing Authority of the City of Durham?
You can reach The Housing Authority of the City of Durham by phone at (919) 683-1551. Their office is located at 423 Morris St, Durham, NC 27701. You can also email them at asnell@dha-nc.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Durham?
Income limits for The Housing Authority of the City of Durham 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.

The Housing Authority of the City of Durham Income Limits

Income limits for programs at The Housing Authority of the City of Durham 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.