HUD Section 8 is a rental assistance program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), providing assistance for low-income families in the private rental market through the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) component. These payments subsidize the balance of the rent to the property owner. CCA’s role is to assist eligible clients to find decent, safe, and affordable housing in Carteret County.

• Eligible family income must be below 50% of Area Median Income, which currently is $59,476 in Carteret County.  This 50% equates to $28,500 for a family of four.
• Program participants pay no more than 30%-40% of their monthly adjusted income toward rent and utilities.
• Preferences include: Homeless, Domestic Violence Victim, Disabled, Elderly, and Working.
• Assistance is currently provided to 444 rental families, with an ave age subsidy of $309 per month.  Through this program, we also have the option of using funds to support home ownership for eligible families.
• In 2009, 63% of our clients are defined as Extremely Low Income, with an average annual household income of $10,708 for the Elderly and/or Disabled, and $12,316 for other participants.
• Voucher holders: 45% occupy a one-bedroom unit, 36% occupy a two-bedroom unit, 17% occupy a three-bedroom unit, and 2% occupy other units.
• Our 2009 participants are 79% Caucasian, 20% African-American, and 1% Hispanic.

The Section 8 Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is a program for up to 30 families receiving rental assistance who would like to be free of all government assistance programs. The program provides an escrow (savings) account for clients while they are working toward self sufficiency.   As of April 1, 2009, 23 of the 30 Self Sufficiency families have escrow accounts, with an aggregate balance of $57,652.  Forty-five (45) families have graduated from the program since its inception in 2000. 

Since 2003, The United Way of Coastal Carolina has funded a Transportation program for the HUD FSS program.  These funds are used to assist HUD FSS clients with car repairs, delinquent car payments, car insurance, annual car inspections, and prepaid gas cards.  A FSS client must meet the qualifications to receive transportation assistance, such as actively seeking employment or enrolled in a job training or educational program.  Due to the low United Way fund drive in 2008, the awarded amount decreased from $5,500 to $4,125 for fiscal year 2008-2009.