How to Find Low-Income Housing in Raleigh, NC

Low-income housing in Raleigh is mainly handled through the Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA), Wake County Housing programs, and properties that accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers or use income-based (LIHTC) rents. The challenge is that waitlists are often long, so your first goal is to get your name onto at least one official waitlist as soon as possible, then build backup options.

Where to Start in Raleigh’s Housing System

Your two primary official touchpoints for low-income housing in Raleigh are:

• Raleigh Housing Authority (RHA) – man­ages public housing units and may open waitlists for Housing Choice Vouchers.
• Wake County housing / human services programs – manage local rent support, emergency housing, and some special voucher programs.

A practical first move today is to call or visit the Raleigh Housing Authority office and ask: “Which low-income housing and voucher waitlists are currently open, and how do I apply?” This immediately tells you if you can apply now or need to watch for an opening.

If you’re not sure you have the right place, search for the official Raleigh Housing Authority website or Wake County housing services page and look for .gov addresses, then use the listed phone numbers or office addresses; avoid any site that asks for application fees beyond what a government portal clearly states.

Key terms to know:

• Public housing — Apartments or homes owned/managed by a housing authority, with rent based on your income.
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A voucher that helps pay rent in private apartments that accept it; you pay part of the rent, subsidy covers the rest.
• Income-based / income-restricted housing — Private or nonprofit properties where rent is tied to your income or set below market because of tax credits.
• Waitlist — A formal list you join when there are more eligible applicants than available units or vouchers.

Types of Low-Income Housing You Can Actually Apply For in Raleigh

For most Raleigh residents with low income, these are the main paths:

• Raleigh Housing Authority public housing – RHA directly manages developments where you pay a percentage of your income as rent.
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) – When the RHA voucher waitlist is open, you apply through them, then, if selected, you find a participating landlord in Raleigh or nearby.
• Income-restricted apartment complexes – These are often Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties that use income limits and fixed affordable rents.
• Special programs through Wake County – These can include rapid rehousing, emergency rental assistance (when funded), or supportive housing for seniors, people with disabilities, or people experiencing homelessness.

Because programs change, rules and eligibility can vary over time and by your specific situation, so always verify details with the official office when you call or visit.

A concrete option you can pursue today is to identify at least three income-restricted properties in Raleigh and ask each leasing office: “Do you have units with income-based or tax-credit rents, and how do I apply?” Many low-income families end up using both a housing authority waitlist and applications to multiple income-restricted properties at the same time.

What to Prepare Before You Contact an Office or Apply

Before you call RHA, Wake County, or a property leasing office, gather basic documents so you can either start an application immediately or answer intake questions accurately.

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Photo ID (such as a driver’s license, state ID, or other government-issued ID) for the head of household, and commonly for adults in the home.
• Proof of income such as recent pay stubs, an award letter for Social Security or SSI, unemployment benefits letter, or child support documentation.
• Current housing proof like a lease, eviction notice, shelter verification, or a letter from where you’re staying if you’re doubled up or homeless.

You may also be asked for Social Security numbers for household members, birth certificates for children, and bank statements if they are calculating assets, so it helps to place everything in a dedicated folder you can bring to offices or reference during phone calls.

To save time, write down a simple household summary: each person’s name, age, relationship to you, income amount and source, and any disabilities; staff will ask these questions repeatedly across programs.

Step-by-Step: How to Get on Raleigh Low-Income Housing Lists

1. Confirm the right offices and find open waitlists

1. Identify your local housing authority and county office.
   Search online for “Raleigh Housing Authority .gov” and “Wake County housing assistance .gov” and confirm phone numbers and locations from official government sites.

2. Call or visit to ask about current openings.
   Use a short script such as: “I live in Raleigh and have low income. Are there any open waitlists for public housing, Section 8 vouchers, or other rental assistance, and how can I apply?”

3. Ask about priority categories.
   RHA and Wake County commonly have preferences for people who are homeless, displaced by domestic violence, veterans, or people with disabilities; if any apply to you, mention them clearly.

What to expect next: Staff will typically tell you whether the main voucher or public housing waitlists are open, closed, or expected to open later, and may direct you to an online form, in-person paper application, or partner agency for help filling it out.

2. Gather documents and complete at least one housing authority application

1. Collect your key documents in one place.
   Put your photo ID, Social Security cards or numbers for household members, proof of income, and any eviction notices or shelter verification into a folder or envelope.

2. Complete the RHA application using the official method.
   If it’s online, create an account only through the official housing authority portal; if it’s paper, fill it out in ink, answering every question, and double-check income and household information.

3. Get proof that you applied.
   If you submit online, save or print the confirmation page or number; if you submit in person, ask for a date-stamped copy or written receipt.

What to expect next: You commonly receive either a confirmation that you are on the waitlist or a notice that you need to provide more information; decisions and offers usually come later by mail, email, or phone, and can take months or longer depending on funding and unit availability.

3. Apply to Raleigh-area income-restricted properties at the same time

1. Search for “Raleigh NC income-restricted apartments” or “tax credit apartments Raleigh.”
   From the results, focus on management companies and properties, then call leasing offices and ask whether they have LIHTC or income-based units.

2. Ask how they handle waitlists and applications.
   Common options are property-specific waitlists, first-come/first-served lists, or on-site application days; ask: “Can I pick up a paper application or apply online, and what documents do you need?”

3. Submit multiple applications.
   Complete applications for several properties, as long as there are no application fees beyond normal, disclosed amounts; some properties charge a modest nonrefundable application fee, so ask about the cost before you agree.

What to expect next: Properties typically either place you on a property waitlist or schedule a follow-up screening (credit/background check, income verification) when a unit is closer to being available.

4. Monitor your status and respond quickly to follow-ups

1. Create a simple tracking sheet.
   Write down each agency or property name, date you applied, confirmation or case number, and contact person, so you can reference these when you call.

2. Check in politely but regularly.
   Every 30–60 days, call the housing authority or property and say, “I’m calling to check my waitlist status and make sure my contact information is up to date.”

3. Update them immediately if your situation changes.
   Changes in income, household size, or contact information often must be reported; ask each office how they want updates (phone, mail, online).

What to expect next: When your name comes near the top of a list, you’ll usually get a written request for updated documents or an appointment notice; if you don’t respond by the deadline listed in the notice, your application can be delayed or removed from the list.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for
A common problem is missing or outdated contact information: if you change your phone number, move, or lose mail and don’t update the housing authority or property, they may send you one letter with a short deadline and then remove you from the waitlist when you don’t respond. To reduce this risk, consider listing a trusted backup contact (family member, case manager, or friend) and check in with the office every month or two to confirm they still have the right address and phone number.

Staying Safe From Scams and Finding Legitimate Help

Because low-income housing and vouchers involve money and personal information, scammers often pretend to be housing agencies or “expediters.”

Watch for these warning signs:

• Someone says they can move you to the top of the list for a fee.
• A website that does not end in .gov claims to be the official housing authority and asks for payment just to “apply.”
• A person you don’t know asks you to text or email your Social Security number, ID photos, or bank details outside of an official application process.

To protect yourself:

• Only apply through the official Raleigh Housing Authority, Wake County, or known property management offices listed on .gov or well-known nonprofit sites.
• If someone insists on a fee, ask: “Is this fee required by the housing authority or property, and is it listed in writing on your official application form?” If not, do not pay.
• Never assume that paying any fee guarantees approval or a specific unit; legitimate agencies will never promise a guaranteed voucher or apartment in exchange for money.

If you need help filling out forms or uploading documents, you can commonly:

• Ask the Raleigh Housing Authority if they have on-site or partner agencies offering application assistance.
• Contact a local legal aid or housing counseling nonprofit in Wake County and ask if they help with public housing or voucher applications.
• Visit a Wake County Human Services center and ask for a referral to a housing case manager or navigator.

Once you’ve identified at least one official agency and one property you can apply to, gathered your ID, income proof, and housing documents, and submitted at least one verified application or waitlist form, you’re in position to keep checking status, respond to follow-ups, and add new options as they open.