Morganton Housing Authority

Morganton, North Carolina

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About Morganton Housing Authority

The Morganton Housing Authority (MHA), PHA Code NC049, is situated in Morganton, Burke County, North Carolina. It is responsible for managing approximately 250 assisted housing units across its service area.

MHA offers housing assistance through several key programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, and its Public Housing program. All three programs—HCV, PBV, and Public Housing—are currently open for applications.

Eligibility for these programs is based on income and other criteria. For example, a family of four in the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA area must meet the Very Low Income limit, currently set at $38,800 per year. Applicants should directly contact the Morganton Housing Authority for specific application requirements and current waitlist information.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

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

Additional Notes

The waiting list is open for 2-bedroom units and 1-bedroom units specifically for elderly/disabled individuals. Prior residents must have paid any balance owed to the MHA; a smoke-free policy is enforced.

Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

There are separate openings for 'Section 8 Project Based' and 'Section 8 Project Based - 1 BEDROOM ONLY - ELDERLY/DISABLED ONLY'. Residents must agree to annual home inspections by MHA representatives and semi-annual inspections during occupancy. HA has instituted a smoke-free policy.

View original notice — apps.morgantonhousing.com

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Online

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Residents must agree to annual home inspections by MHA representatives and semi-annual inspections during occupancy. HA has instituted a smoke-free policy.

View original notice — apps.morgantonhousing.com

Status History

HCV Opened Feb 22, 2026
HCV unknown Feb 19, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Morganton Housing Authority 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 644 1st St
City Morganton, NC 28655
PHA Code NC049
Public Housing Units 250

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 Morganton Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Morganton Housing Authority currently has 3 open waiting lists (HCV, PBV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Morganton Housing Authority, 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.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Morganton Housing Authority 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 Morganton Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Morganton Housing Authority manages approximately 250 assisted housing units, and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Morganton. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Morganton Housing Authority

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Morganton Housing Authority 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 Morganton. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

PBV Project-Based Voucher open

Project-Based Vouchers at Morganton Housing Authority are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in Morganton. 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 open

Public Housing units at Morganton Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Morganton Housing Authority manages approximately 250 Public Housing units in Morganton. 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 Morganton Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Morganton Housing Authority administers 3 programs (HCV, 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 644 1st St, Morganton, NC.
How long is the wait at Morganton Housing Authority?
Wait times at Morganton Housing Authority depend on demand in Morganton, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 250 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 22, 2026 when the HCV list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Morganton Housing Authority 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 Morganton Housing Authority, including Valdese Housing Authority (7 mi), Lenoir Housing Authority (14 mi), Western Piedmont Council of Governments (18 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 Morganton Housing Authority?
You can reach Morganton Housing Authority by phone at (828) 437-9101. Their office is located at 644 1st St, Morganton, NC 28655. You can also email them at vsmith@morgantonhousing.com. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Morganton Housing Authority?
Income limits for Morganton Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC MSA (currently $77,600). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $38,800. 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.

Morganton Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Morganton Housing Authority 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
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $77,600 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.