Housing Resource Center (Public Housing)

NOTE: Please do not pay anyone for a Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing Application.  There is NEVER a fee to apply. 

Public Housing was established to provide decent, safe and affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. In addition to Low Income Public Housing, the Housing Resource Center offers various community resources to low-income individuals and families. Subsidized Housing Information Packet (2024)  All applicants must meet eligibility requirements based on annual gross income; preference and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.  Eligibility requirements also include criminal background screenings.  The Housing Authority will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or the housing complex’s environment.

The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston has income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets the low income limits at 80% and very low income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another.

Once an applicant is reached on the public housing wait list and final eligibility is determined, the applicant family is offered and assigned to a public housing apartment. A security deposit of $150.00 is required and monthly rent is based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. When applications are being accepted, a pre-application can be obtained online from our website at www.chacity.org. Please refer to our public notice section Public Notices to see if any waiting lists are currently open.