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Affordable & Low-Income Housing in Chapel Hill, NC

23 affordable buildings in Chapel Hill · 3 ZIP codes

Chapel Hill, NC has 23 income-restricted buildings across 3 ZIP codes: 12 tax credit, 1 public housing, 11 Section 8, and 6 senior. These lists don't show openings — call to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.

In Chapel Hill

Programs in Chapel Hill

  • Tax credit12 buildings
  • Public housing1 building
  • Section 811 buildings
  • Seniors6 buildings

ZIP codes in Chapel Hill

Nearby cities

Housing authorities

Public housing in Chapel Hill is run by these agencies. Apply with them, not at the building.

Rents and income limits in 27516

Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
$1,750/mo
Income needed to pay it at 30% of income
$70,000/yr
Renters in 27516 paying 30% or more of income on rent
61%

Income limits (2026)

Durham-Chapel Hill, NC area · median family income $129,900. Your household's yearly income before taxes must be at or below the limit.

PeopleExtremely low 30%Very low 50%Low 80%
1$26,750$44,500$71,200
2$30,550$50,850$81,400
3$34,350$57,200$91,550
4$38,150$63,550$101,700
5$41,250$68,650$109,850
6$44,360$73,750$118,000
7$50,040$78,850$126,150
8$55,720$83,900$134,250

Section 8 vouchers: up to the 50% limit, and most go to households under 30%. Public housing: up to 80%. Tax-credit apartments: usually up to 60% of median income, between the 50% and 80% columns.

Fair market rents (2027)

HUD's estimate of rent plus utilities for a modest home. Housing authorities set Section 8 voucher limits from it.

Size27516Wider area
Studio$1,500$1,498
1 bedroom$1,560$1,554
2 bedrooms$1,750$1,745
3 bedrooms$2,170$2,161
4 bedrooms$2,490$2,486

Wider area = Durham-Chapel Hill, NC. Two-bedroom fair market rents in 5 nearby ZIPs range from $1,300 (27340) to $1,980 (27514).

Census figures for 27516 (2020–2024 average): median rent $1,564. Median household income $106,353. 29% of homes are rented. 61% of renters pay 30% or more of their income on rent, and 37% pay half or more.

Census median rent is what renters here actually pay, including long-term leases. Fair market rent is HUD's estimate for a modest apartment available now.

Sources: HUD income limits FY2026; HUD Fair Market Rents FY2027 (Small Area FMR for ZIP figures); U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year 2020–2024. Each program and building can set its own limits — confirm with the property.

Estimate your Section 8 rent share

Project-based Section 8 is on the buildings above. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority, then find a landlord who takes it. Your share of rent is based on income — not always 30%. The calculator uses 27516's fair market rent.

Estimate your Section 8 rent share for 27516

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there Section 8 housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

Yes — this directory lists income-restricted buildings in Chapel Hill, NC, including project-based Section 8 apartments (the subsidy stays with the unit), public housing, tax-credit, and USDA rural rentals. Housing Choice Vouchers are different: you apply with the local housing authority and can use them at a private landlord. Estimate your voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.

Do affordable housing buildings in Chapel Hill, NC have openings?

These lists for Chapel Hill, NC don't show openings. Call the property (or the housing authority, for public housing) to ask about vacancies and waiting lists.

How do I apply for affordable housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

Use the phone number on each building card in Chapel Hill, NC. Public housing is run by the local housing authority — apply with them, not at the building. USDA rural rentals can also be found through USDA's property search.

What counts as affordable housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

In Chapel Hill, NC, this directory lists income-restricted rentals from HUD tax-credit (LIHTC) records, public housing, HUD-assisted buildings (including project-based Section 8, 202, and 811), and USDA Rural Development.

How many affordable housing buildings are in Chapel Hill, NC?

This directory lists 23 income-restricted buildings in Chapel Hill, NC. The list does not show vacancies — call each property or the housing authority to ask about openings and waiting lists.

Which ZIP codes in Chapel Hill have affordable housing?

Income-restricted buildings in Chapel Hill are listed in 27516 (10), 27514 (8), 27517 (5).

Where do I apply for public housing in Chapel Hill?

Public housing in Chapel Hill is run by Town of Chapel Hill Department of Housing. Apply with that agency, not at the building. For project-based Section 8 and tax-credit apartments, call the phone number on the building card.

People Also Ask

How do I qualify for affordable housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

Most income-restricted buildings in Chapel Hill, NC serve households at or below 50% or 80% of area median income. HUD's 2026 very low-income (50%) limit for a 1-person household is $44,500, and $63,550 for a 4-person household. Public housing can go up to 80% ($71,200 for 1 person). Each building sets its own cap — call to confirm before you apply. Citizenship, household size, and local preferences can also apply.

What is the income limit for low-income housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

For many programs in Chapel Hill, NC, the 2026 HUD very low-income (50%) limit is $44,500 a year for 1 person and $63,550 for 4 people. The low-income (80%) limit is $71,200 for 1 person. Tax-credit buildings often use 60% of median income. Confirm with the property — they can be stricter.

How long is the waiting list for Section 8 in Chapel Hill, NC?

There is no single waiting list for Chapel Hill, NC. Public housing, project-based Section 8, and tax-credit buildings each keep their own list. Housing Choice Voucher lists at the housing authority open only sometimes and can stay closed for years. This directory does not show which lists are open — call the number on each card. Some public housing cards show HUD's reported wait in months.

What is the difference between Section 8 and public housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

Public housing is owned by a housing authority — you apply with that agency, not at the building. Project-based Section 8 is a HUD contract on a private building; the subsidy stays with the apartment. A Housing Choice Voucher is different: you apply with the housing authority and can use it at a landlord who takes it. This page lists public housing, project-based Section 8, tax-credit apartments in Chapel Hill, NC. Estimate voucher rent share with the Section 8 calculator.

How much rent do you pay for low-income housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

In public housing and most Section 8 in Chapel Hill, NC, tenants typically pay about 30% of adjusted income. HUD's 2027 fair market rent for a 2-bedroom near Chapel Hill, NC is $1,750 a month (rent plus utilities for a modest unit). Tax-credit apartments use set rents below market, not always 30% of income. Call the building for the actual rent; this site is not a vacancy or price list.

Can I use a Section 8 voucher at affordable apartments in Chapel Hill, NC?

A Housing Choice Voucher is not automatically accepted at every building in Chapel Hill, NC. Project-based Section 8 units already have a subsidy on the apartment — you apply there, not with a tenant voucher. For a voucher, apply with the housing authority, then ask each landlord. Estimate your share with the Section 8 calculator.

Is there senior affordable housing in Chapel Hill, NC?

Yes — this directory flags senior (often 62+) buildings in Chapel Hill, NC. Use the Seniors filter on the list. Age rules vary; call to confirm.

Sources: HUD LIHTC database, 2024 (released Apr 2026); HUD Multifamily Assisted Properties, Oct 2026; HUD Public Housing Developments, Oct 2026. Not affiliated with HUD or USDA. Details can be out of date — confirm with the property before applying.

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