Several rental assistance programs in North Carolina offer aid based on whether you need long-term support, emergency crisis assistance, or disaster-related housing help.
Long-term rental assistance programs
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program—known as Section 8—is a federal initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally by Public Housing Agencies (PHAs). It allows eligible low-income families, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities to find their own safe housing on the private rental market while paying a subsidized rent amount.
How the voucher subsidy works
The 30% rule: Once approved and issued a voucher, you are responsible for finding a suitable private rental unit (an apartment, townhouse, or single-family home) where the landlord agrees to participate in the program. Generally, you pay 30% of your household’s adjusted monthly income directly to the landlord to cover rent and utilities.
PHA coverage: The local PHA pays the remaining balance directly to the landlord via a Housing Assistance Payment.
Housing portability: The voucher is tied to your household, not the building. As long as you remain eligible and comply with program rules, you can transfer or “port” the voucher if you decide to move to a different home.
Waiting list and application process
Since the demand for rental assistance far exceeds available federal funding, obtaining a voucher involves a multi-step process:
Finding an open waiting list: You do not apply directly to HUD. You must submit an application through a local PHA. Waiting lists open and close frequently based on funding availability. You can monitor when lists open in real time using Affordable Housing Online’s North Carolina waiting list tracker.
Local preferences: When you apply, you are placed on a waiting list. Many PHAs use specific ranking preferences to move households up the list more quickly—for example, for local residents, working families, veterans, or individuals experiencing homelessness.
Selection period: Depending on the area, wait times can range from 6 to 18 months in smaller counties to as long as 4 to 7 years in high-demand metropolitan regions, such as Raleigh.
Voucher issuance and housing search: Once you reach the top of the list, you undergo an eligibility interview. If your application is approved, you receive the voucher and generally have 60 to 90 days to find a private-market rental unit that passes the mandatory safety inspection based on Housing Quality Standards (HQS).
NC Housing Finance Agency Community Programs
The North Carolina Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) does not manage general public housing or issue standard Section 8 vouchers. Instead, the NCHFA finances the construction of affordable housing across the state and collaborates directly with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to administer specialized rental assistance programs that include supportive services.
These community-based living programs specifically target low-income individuals with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, or individuals transitioning out of care facilities.
“Key” Rental Assistance Program (Key)
bridges the financial gap for individuals with disabilities and extremely low incomes, enabling them to live independently.
How it works: The NCHFA requires developers using the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to set aside between 10% and 20% of their apartment units specifically for individuals with disabilities and very low incomes. These are known as “Targeted Units.” The “Key” program pays the property owner the difference between the actual rent and what the resident can afford to pay.
Tenant’s share of rent: Generally, tenants do not pay more than 25% of their gross monthly income toward rent.
Eligibility and application: To qualify, an individual must have a disability, have an income below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)—often aligning with Supplemental Security Income (SSI) levels—or be experiencing homelessness. Applications cannot be submitted directly to the NCHFA; candidates must be referred through local case management and service agencies approved by the DHHS.
Transition to Community Living Voucher (TCLV)
The Transition to Community Living Voucher (TCLV) is a specialized initiative designed to help adults with serious mental illness or behavioral health disabilities move from restrictive institutional settings (such as adult care homes or state hospitals) into independent, integrated communities.
How it works: Unlike the “Key” program—which is tied to specific apartment complexes—the TCLV operates much like a traditional voucher. It is portable and can be used to rent market-rate apartments in the private sector. The program covers a portion of the rent, security deposits, and moving expenses.
Support services: Tenants receive comprehensive housing-related support and full mental health care to ensure they can maintain an independent life.
Requirements and application: This program is administered locally by the state network of Local Management Entities/Managed Care Organizations (LME/MCOs). Potential participants are identified and connected to housing vouchers directly through their behavioral health service providers.
How to find available units
If you do not meet the criteria for the specialized DHHS referral programs mentioned above, you can still rent affordable apartments funded by the NCHFA for working families and seniors.
You can search for these privately managed, income-restricted properties across the state using the official NCHousingSearch.org portal. Each property manages its own waiting list and application process independently.
Emergency Crisis & Short-Term Assistance
NC DHHS Crisis & Emergency Assistance
The NC DHHS (North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services) crisis and emergency assistance framework consists of state-backed, immediate financial safety nets designed to prevent eviction, utility shut-offs, or total household destabilization. These programs are funded through the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant and are administered locally by each county’s Department of Social Services (DSS).
1. Work First Emergency Assistance
This program is designed for families facing a sudden, short-term crisis, such as an active eviction notice or utility disconnection.
The benefit: Provides non-recurring financial aid directly to the landlord or utility provider to resolve the immediate crisis.
Key requirements:
Presence of a minor in the household: The household must include a minor living with a parent or a designated relative caregiver who meets the age requirements for the Work First program.
Income limit: Generally, the total gross household income must be at or below a range of 150% to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), depending on the Work First plan approved for your specific county.
Citizenship: Applicants must be U.S. citizens or qualified legal immigrants.
2. Work First Benefit Diversion
If your family is experiencing a severe economic shock but is likely to regain stability quickly, a caseworker might recommend Benefit Diversion instead of regular monthly welfare assistance.
The benefit: Combines up to three months of cash assistance into a single, one-time payment to resolve an emergency. It often includes expedited access to Medicaid, Food and Nutrition Services (food stamps), and employment guidance.
The trade-off: Accepting a Benefit Diversion package means you will not be able to receive standard monthly Work First cash assistance for a specific period.
3. Crisis Intervention Program (CIP)
If your emergency is specifically related to an inability to pay for heating or air conditioning, the Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) can step in, regardless of housing assistance.
The benefit: Direct payments made to utility providers to resolve a service disconnection situation. Key requirements: You must have an overdue payment notice or a final warning from your electricity, gas, or fuel provider, and the service interruption must pose a health emergency or a life-threatening risk to a household member.
How to apply for assistance
You cannot apply for these specific emergency programs through federal portals; you must apply at the county level.
Locate your office: Use the NC DHHS local DSS directory to find the contact information and physical address for your county’s office.
Submit an application: Many local offices allow you to start the process online via NC ePASS, but emergency funds often require an initial interview.
Gather verification documents: To expedite the processing of emergency funds, always bring or upload the following:
- Identification: Government-issued photo ID for adults; birth certificates and Social Security cards for all household members.
- Proof of crisis: Official eviction notice from the landlord, court order, or utility shut-off notice.
- Financial records: Recent pay stubs, bank statements, or employer verification forms.
- Proof of residence: Valid North Carolina lease agreement or recent utility bill.
Non-profit organizations and community action agencies across the state
Non-profit organizations and community action agencies across the state make up North Carolina’s local financial safety net. While federal and state programs operate under strict guidelines, these organizations and agencies often maintain emergency cash reserves designed to quickly address specific financial crises.
1. Community Action Agencies (CAAs)
North Carolina has a network of 34 local community action agencies serving all 100 counties in the state. Unlike typical non-profits, CAAs have a federal mandate to combat poverty at the local level and receive specific block grants to provide direct emergency stabilization.
How they help: Most agencies offer a Family Self-Sufficiency Program, as well as emergency grants for crises related to rent and utility payments. These agencies pay funds directly to landlords or utility companies to halt evictions or prevent service shut-offs.
Examples of regional CAAs:
W.A.M.Y. Community Action: Serves Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties. ARCAP Community Action / Alamance County Community Services: Serves Alamance, Caswell, Person, and Rockingham counties.
Blue Ridge Community Action: Serves Burke, Caldwell, Alexander, and Catawba counties.
Mountain Projects: Serves Haywood and Jackson counties.
How to find the appropriate agency: You can search for the designated provider for your county directly in the agency directory of the North Carolina Community Action Association.
2. The Salvation Army (North and South Carolina Division)
The Salvation Army operates dozens of physical centers (known as “corps”) throughout North Carolina, offering emergency financial assistance at the local level.
Rental Program: Offers limited, short-term grants for rent or mortgage payments to prevent families from becoming homeless due to sudden job loss, health issues, or unforeseen financial crises.
Requirements: Most centers require proof of residency, a current lease agreement, and an official eviction or utility shut-off notice with a 14-day deadline.
How to apply for assistance: Instead of calling a central corporate office, applicants should use the Salvation Army’s SAHelp portal and enter their zip code to start a request for a local, confidential assessment.
3. Centralized assessment and local resource mapping
Since local funding varies from month to month, community programs also change rapidly. The fastest way to find out which non-profit organization currently has available funds is through state referral networks:
NC 211: Managed by United Way of North Carolina; dialing 2-11 from any phone or searching the NC 211 emergency housing resource connects you with a live representative. They track available rental assistance funds from local church ministries, Urban Leagues, and tenant stabilization funds.
NCCARE360: This is the first unified, statewide electronic resource platform. You or a healthcare provider can complete an electronic assistance form via the NCCARE360 portal to be automatically linked and directed to non-profit organizations that serve your zip code and have open application processes.
Disaster-related rental assistance
FEMA Individual Assistance (IA): Immediate financial aid
The foundation of disaster housing assistance is the Individuals and Households Program (IHP), which provides direct financial grants that do not require repayment:
Rental assistance grants: FEMA provides funds up to local Fair Market Rent rates, allowing displaced renters or homeowners to secure temporary apartments, houses, or hotels while their primary residence is being repaired. Lodging Expense Reimbursement (LER): Short-term financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket hotel or motel expenses immediately following the disaster (requires keeping and uploading all receipts).
Home Repair and Replacement Grants: Direct funds for homeowners to repair structural, electrical, or heating issues, making the home safe and habitable again. FEMA grants are intended to cover basic habitability needs, not to fully replace losses or duplicate insurance coverage.
State transitional programs
North Carolina implements supplemental programs through the Department of Public Safety (NCDPS) to assist families who fall outside the scope of traditional federal aid:
State Individual Assistance: If a local storm causes significant damage but does not meet the threshold required for a federal presidential disaster declaration, the governor can activate the NCDPS Individual Assistance Program at the state level to provide specific grants for home repairs.
Disaster Case Management Program: State-funded professionals work directly with displaced families to help them manage complex federal paperwork, coordinate construction volunteers, and secure the funds needed for security deposits.
