Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

Wilmington, North Carolina

Last Updated

1 hours ago

About Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington

The Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington (PHA Code: NC001), located in Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina, manages approximately 3,119 assisted housing units. These include 2,083 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) units and 1,036 Public Housing units.

This authority administers both the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and Public Housing programs. All waiting lists for both programs are currently closed to new applicants.

For eligibility, a family of four in the Wilmington, NC HUD Metro FMR Area must meet the Very Low Income limit, currently set at $54,150 per year. Interested individuals should note that all waiting lists remain closed.

Other Programs

2 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

Currently, families with earnings of 50% or below the Wilmington area’s average median income are candidates for HCVP. Heads of households must be 18 or older. Other eligibility requirements include qualifying as a family, submitting evidence of citizenship or eligible status, passing a background check, no status as a registered sex offender, no current or pending criminal charges, successfully passing a credit check, and no evictions or problems with previous landlords within 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.
Public Housing
Closed

Preferences are given to families whose head/co-head is elderly or disabled, working a minimum of 20 hours a week, homeless in a verified shelter, or displaced due to a Federally Declared Disaster.

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

Status History

Public Housing Closed Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

Contact Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington directly at (910) 341-7700 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

Contact the housing authority directly for application information.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 1524 S 16th St
City Wilmington, NC 28401
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

All 2 waiting lists at Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington are currently closed. Lists typically open with short notice — sometimes as little as 48 hours. The status at the top of this page is updated nightly.

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

Contact Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington directly at (910) 341-7700 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

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

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) 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.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

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.

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 (HCV, 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 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 February 18, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "closed." 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?
You can reach Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington by phone at (910) 341-7700. Their office is located at 1524 S 16th St, Wilmington, NC 28401. You can also email them at tgarrett@wha.net. 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.