All people should be able to live in accessible, affordable housing. North Carolina has resources that help older adults obtain housing.
How can I find affordable housing?
There are search tools in North Carolina that can help you find accessible, affordable units throughout the state.
- NC Housing Search – This service can be accessed online 24 hours a day and through a toll‐free, bilingual call center, Monday ‐ Friday, 9:00 a.m. ‐ 8:00 p.m. EDT at 1‐877‐428‐8844. NCHousingSearch.org also has helpful tools for renters such as an affordability calculator, rental checklist, and information on renter rights and responsibilities.
- Elder Housing Locator – browse this list of independent housing options for North Carolina seniors or call 1-800-677-1116 Monday ‐ Friday, 8AM-9PM.
- The Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly known as Section 8) is a program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It helps families with a low income, seniors, and people with disabilities pay for rental housing.
- Public housing is state-owned, affordable rental houses or apartments. It’s intended for families with low incomes, seniors, and people with disabilities. Found nationwide, public housing comes in all sizes and types, from single-family houses to high-rise apartments.
How can I get help as a homeowner?
The NC Housing Finance Agency (NCHFA) has two programs for home repair. Find a local provider for these programs.
- The Urgent Repair Program finances emergency home repairs for older adult homeowners whose incomes are below 50% of the median for their area. Emergency repairs correct housing conditions that threaten your life or safety, such as failing septic systems, dangerous heating systems or rotten floors. The program can also pay for accessibility modifications that allow you to stay in your home after an injury or serious illness.
- The Essential Single-Family Rehabilitation Program finances major repairs for older adult homeowners whose incomes are below 80% of the median for their area.
Reverse mortgages are available to seniors over age 62. A reverse mortgage is the opposite of a conventional mortgage in which payments are made towards a loan used to buy a house. Instead, a reverse mortgage makes payments to the homeowner using the equity in the house. With a conventional mortgage, the homeowner makes principal and interest payments and eventually owns the home. A reverse mortgage pays the homeowner a portion of the home’s equity and the interest accrues against the total equity to be repaid when the homeowners leave the home.
Are there other resources that can help me afford housing costs?
The Weatherization Assistance Program – helps low-income North Carolinians save energy, reduce their utility bills, and stay safe in their homes. It keeps residents warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and safe all year long while educating the public about energy efficiency and household safety. You will need to contact your local agency to apply.
Area Agencies on Aging are offices that support programs addressing the needs of older adults in a defined geographic region.
Need more information?
If you didn’t find what you need on this page or need more information on local resources, dial 2-1-1 or 888-892-1162. Our call specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Last updated 1/31/2023
