Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Hickory, North Carolina
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Western Piedmont Council of Governments
The Western Piedmont Council of Governments (NC159) is a housing authority located in Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. This authority manages approximately 1,952 assisted housing units, primarily delivered through Housing Choice Vouchers. Currently, the waitlist for Public Housing is open for new applications. The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, which was previously closed, is anticipated to open soon. Other programs, including Mainstream and Project-Based Vouchers (PBV), are presently closed.
For prospective applicants, the income limit for a very low-income family of four in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA area is $38,800 per year. Applicants should regularly check the current status of specific programs directly with the housing authority, especially regarding the upcoming opening of the HCV program.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
Open Date
Apr 7, 2023
How to Apply
Online
Additional Notes
The Valdese Public Housing waiting list is currently open for applications. Eligibility requires income at or below 50% of the HUD area median income, and applicants must pass a screening process including rental and criminal history reviews. Valdese Public Housing has a smoke-free policy.
Other Programs
3 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.
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) waiting list is currently closed. When last open (July 1, 2024, to July 26, 2024), applications were accepted online, and the RHA uses a preference-scoring model considering factors like termination from HCV due to insufficient funding, local residency/employment, disability, military service, and homelessness.
The Mainstream Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is closed and last accepted applications from August 12, 2015, until April 30, 2023. These vouchers are for households with a disabled person between the ages of 18-61.
This Project-Based Voucher waiting list for West Hickory Apartments Elderly and Disabled closed on May 5, 2020.
Status History
Official Application
Apply directly through the official Western Piedmont Council of Governments 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 Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Check Current Status
Western Piedmont Council of Governments currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Western Piedmont Council of Governments, 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 $38,800/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 Western Piedmont Council of Governments 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 Western Piedmont Council of Governments, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Western Piedmont Council of Governments manages approximately 1,952 assisted housing units (1,952 Section 8), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Hickory. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Western Piedmont Council of Governments are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Western Piedmont Council of Governments 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 Hickory. This program serves approximately 1,952 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Western Piedmont Council of Governments 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 Western Piedmont Council of Governments are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Hickory. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Western Piedmont Council of Governments free?
How long is the wait at Western Piedmont Council of Governments?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Western Piedmont Council of Governments?
What are the income limits for Western Piedmont Council of Governments?
Western Piedmont Council of Governments Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Western Piedmont Council of Governments are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $38,800. 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 | $16,350 | $27,200 | $43,500 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $31,050 | $49,700 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $34,950 | $55,900 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $38,800 | $62,100 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $41,950 | $67,100 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $45,050 | $72,050 |
| 7 Persons | $48,150 | $48,150 | $77,050 |
| 8 Persons | $51,250 | $51,250 | $82,000 |
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 Western Piedmont Council of Governments — including across state lines.