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Housing assistance in North Carolina

In North Carolina, energy assistance (LIEAP) is a state program run by NCDHHS, but you apply through your county Department of Social Services or online through ePASS. State law bars cities and counties from setting rent levels on private rental housing. Public housing and vouchers come from local housing authorities in cities such as Raleigh, Greensboro and Durham.

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Where to apply for rental assistance and vouchers

Section 8 vouchers and public housing are run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). Each keeps its own waiting list, so apply to every agency serving places you could live. The state housing finance agency funds affordable apartments and homebuyer programs but usually does not take voucher applications.

Raleigh Housing AuthorityRaleighPublic housing agencyGreensboro Housing AuthorityGreensboroPublic housing agencyDurham Housing AuthorityDurhamPublic housing agency North Carolina Housing Finance AgencyStatewideHousing finance agency Every housing agency in North CarolinaHUD directoryFind agencies serving your area

Ask each agency: Is the waiting list open? How do I apply, and how will you contact me? Never pay to apply or to move up a list. See how to apply for Section 8 and how waiting lists work.

Programs and free legal help in North Carolina

Energy and utility bills

  • Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) NC Department of Health and Human Services

    Federally funded one-time payment to a household's heating vendor. Apply through NCDHHS ePASS or your county Department of Social Services. Households with someone 60+ or receiving certain disability services can apply in December; all others from January 1 until March 31 or until funds run out.

    Call 1-800-662-7030

Free legal help

  • Legal Aid of North Carolina Legal Aid of North Carolina

    Statewide nonprofit law firm giving free civil legal help, including housing and eviction cases, to eligible low-income people. Apply online through its JusticeHub portal.

Official tenant guides

  • Eviction Guide Legal Aid of North Carolina

    Self-help guide for tenants facing eviction in small claims court, covering hearings, defenses, evidence and appeals.

No statewide emergency rent program? Most rent help is local. Call 211 and ask which county, charity, or community action programs are taking applications now. See emergency rental assistance.

Key tenant laws in North Carolina

Statewide rules for most private rentals. Cities, counties, subsidized housing, and your lease can add protections, and some rules have exceptions. Read the linked law before relying on a deadline.

Security deposit limit

Up to 2 weeks' rent for week-to-week tenancies, 1.5 months' rent for month-to-month, and 2 months' rent for longer terms. A separate reasonable nonrefundable pet fee is allowed.

N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 42-51(b), 42-53

Deposit return deadline

Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the landlord gets possession, the landlord must return the deposit with a written itemized list of any damage. If the claim can't be determined in 30 days, the landlord must send an interim accounting within 30 days and a final accounting within 60 days. Deductions for normal wear and tear are not allowed.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-52

Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent

For a nonpayment eviction, the landlord must demand all past-due rent and wait 10 days. The lease is forfeited only if the rent is still unpaid after those 10 days.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3

Rent increases and rent control

State law preempts local rent control. No county or city may regulate the rent charged for privately owned residential rental property. Exceptions include city-owned or subsidized properties.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14.1

If the landlord won’t make repairs

Landlords must keep homes fit and habitable, and tenants cannot waive this right (G.S. 42-42). A tenant may not withhold rent on their own before a court rules they have the right to. A tenant can instead seek rent abatement (a partial refund) as a defense or counterclaim.

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-44(c)

This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a notice or court papers, contact legal aid right away. See facing eviction, security deposit rights, and repairs and habitability.

Phone lines that serve North Carolina

More local contacts: HUD’s North Carolina resource page.

Next steps

  1. Urgent? If you need shelter tonight or have an eviction court date, start with urgent housing help.
  2. Behind on rent: call 211 and apply to several programs at once. Use our payment plan letter to propose terms to your landlord in writing.
  3. Long-term help: apply to every housing agency above, plus income-restricted apartments. Gather your documents first.
  4. Check affordability: use the rent affordability calculator or the Section 8 rent calculator.

Sources

Checked October 10, 2026. Laws, programs, and agency websites change; confirm details with the agency or court before relying on them. Report a correction.

  1. N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42, Article 6 (Tenant Security Deposit Act)North Carolina General Assembly
  2. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-3North Carolina General Assembly
  3. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-14.1North Carolina General Assembly
  4. N.C. Gen. Stat. § 42-44North Carolina General Assembly
  5. Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP)NC Department of Health and Human Services
  6. Legal Aid of North CarolinaLegal Aid of North Carolina
  7. Eviction GuideLegal Aid of North Carolina
  8. Raleigh Housing AuthorityRaleigh Housing Authority
  9. Greensboro Housing AuthorityGreensboro Housing Authority
  10. Durham Housing AuthorityDurham Housing Authority