Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington (HUD agency code NC001) is the public housing agency serving Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina. It administers 1,036 public housing units and 2,083 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 2 waiting lists at this agency, covering Public Housing, HCV. As of Oct 4, 2026, 1 is open and 1 is closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Wilmington, NC HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $54,150 per year, and as Low Income at or below $86,650 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 4 status changes at this agency, most recently on Oct 1, 2026. Always confirm current status with the agency directly before applying.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

Open Date

Aug 22, 2026

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

Preferences include elderly, disabled, employed, homeless, displaced by disaster, participants in offender re-entry programs, and New Hanover County residency. The 4-bedroom waitlist at Creekwood South is open, and applications are also accepted at New Brooklyn, Jervay, Rankin Terrace, Solomon Towers (requiring SS/SSI), and Glover Plaza (for ages 62+).

Other Programs

1 program

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

Eligibility requires earnings of 50% or below the Wilmington area's average median income. Heads of households must be 18 or older. Other requirements include family qualification, proof of citizenship, background check, no sex offender status, no current criminal charges, credit check, and no evictions in the last three years. Outstanding balances from previous tenancies must be paid in full.

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

Status History

Public Housing Opened 4 days ago
Public Housing Closed 6 days ago
Public Housing Opened Aug 28, 2026

Deadline: May 3, 2020

Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

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

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 1524 S 16th St
City Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone
(910) ███-████
Email
████████@wha.net
PHA Code NC001
Section 8 Units 2,083
Public Housing Units 1,036

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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington currently has 1 open waiting list (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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington, 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 $54,150/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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington manages approximately 3,119 assisted housing units (2,083 Section 8, 1,036 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Wilmington. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington manages approximately 1,036 Public Housing units in Wilmington. 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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington 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 Wilmington. This program serves approximately 2,083 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington administers 2 programs (Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)) — 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 1524 S 16th St, Wilmington, NC.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington depend on demand in Wilmington, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 3,119 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on October 1, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington 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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington, including Pender County Housing Department (23 mi), Brunswick County Public Housing Agency (24 mi), Whiteville Housing Authority (46 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 Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington?
Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 1524 S 16th St, Wilmington, NC 28401. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Wilmington, NC HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $110,900). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $54,150. 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.

Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Wilmington, NC HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $54,150. 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 $22,750 $37,950 $60,700
2 Persons $26,000 $43,350 $69,350
3 Persons $29,250 $48,750 $78,000
4 Persons $32,500 $54,150 $86,650
5 Persons $37,650 $58,500 $93,600
6 Persons $43,150 $62,850 $100,550
7 Persons $48,650 $67,150 $107,450
8 Persons $54,150 $71,500 $114,400
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $110,900 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.