Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Hickory, North Carolina
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Western Piedmont Council of Governments
Western Piedmont Council of Governments (HUD agency code NC159) is the public housing agency serving Hickory, Catawba County, North Carolina. It administers 1,952 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 6 waiting lists at this agency, covering Public Housing, HCV, Mainstream, PBV, FUP, VASH. As of Mar 9, 2026, 1 is open and 3 are closed. Status is unconfirmed for 2 further lists.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $38,800 per year, and as Low Income at or below $62,100 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 18 status changes at this agency, most recently on Aug 19, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
Currently open for 3 and 4 bedrooms only. Eligibility requires income at or below 50% of HUD AMI; a preference-scoring model is used, and all adult household members must attend an application appointment for rental and criminal history review.
Other Programs
5 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 waiting list uses a preference-scoring model. Preferences may include families terminated from HCV due to insufficient funding, those living, working, or hired to work in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell, and Catawba Counties, families with a disabled person, active military, veterans, or their spouses, and those who are literally homeless or at risk of homelessness. Mainstream vouchers specifically target disabled persons aged 18-61. Applicants must be 18 or older and meet HUD income limits, generally at or below 50% of the area median income. The waiting list typically closes after receiving approximately 2,500 applications. Assistance can be obtained by calling 828-322-9191.
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.
The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a referral-based program administered in cooperation with Public Child Welfare Agencies, and eligible applicants are not placed on a waiting list.
The Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program is referral-based, requiring referral from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
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.
WARNING: 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 to apply.
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 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 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 (PBV) 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.
FUP Family Unification Program (FUP) closed
The Family Unification Program (FUP) program at Western Piedmont Council of Governments provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Hickory. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
VASH Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) closed
The HUD-VASH program at Western Piedmont Council of Governments combines Housing Choice Vouchers with VA supportive services for homeless veterans in Hickory. Referrals are made through the local VA Medical Center — contact the VA to begin the application process.
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.