Housing authoritiesSCHOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON is based in Charleston, Charleston County, SC and administers 1,804 Section 8 vouchers and 1,252 public housing units.
HUD PHA code SC001. Program type: Combined. Households served: 2,543. Occupancy: 83%. ZIP codes served: 31.
Payment standards
The maximum subsidy this authority uses for Housing Choice Vouchers, effective 2026-01-01.
| Area | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom | 5 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awendaw | $1,720 | $1,805 | $1,976 | $2,461 | $2,831 | $3,255 |
| Charleston | 105% of FMR | $2,200 | $2,409 | $2,620 | $2,835 | $3,971 |
| Daniels Island | $2,058 | $2,152 | $2,362 | $2,940 | $3,391 | $3,899 |
| James Island | $1,953 | $2,037 | $2,236 | $2,782 | $3,202 | $3,682 |
| Johns Island | 110% of FMR | $1,804 | $1,980 | $2,464 | $2,838 | $3,262 |
| Mt Pleasant | 100% of FMR | $2,310 | $2,530 | $3,160 | $3,640 | $4,186 |
| N. Charleston | 110% of FMR | $1,694 | $1,694 | $2,310 | $2,662 | $2,795 |
| Wadmalaw Island | 110% of FMR | $1,694 | $1,859 | $2,310 | $2,662 | $3,061 |
| Adams Run (exception area) | 110% of FMR | $1,529 | $1,672 | $2,079 | $2,398 | $2,757 |
| Hollywood (exception area) | $1,243 | $1,287 | $1,430 | $1,782 | $2,156 | $2,479 |
| N. Charleston (exception area) | $1,496 | $1,562 | $1,716 | $2,134 | $2,464 | $2,833 |
| Ravenel (exception area) | $1,243 | $1,287 | $1,430 | $1,782 | $2,156 | $2,479 |
Source: authority's payment standard schedule. Checked against HUD Fair Market Rent for these ZIP codes.
Utility allowances
Monthly allowances for tenant-paid utilities (Apartment), effective 2026-01-01. Rent plus these must fit under the payment standard.
| Utility | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating (Natural Gas) | $34 | $38 | $40 | $43 | $46 |
| Heating (Bottled Gas) | $46 | $54 | $59 | $64 | $70 |
| Heating (Electric) | $21 | $23 | $27 | $30 | $34 |
| Heating (Electric – Heat Pump) | $10 | $12 | $14 | $16 | $19 |
| Heating (Fuel Oil) | $34 | $40 | $44 | $48 | $52 |
| Heating (Other) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Cooking (Natural Gas) | $5 | $6 | $9 | $12 | $15 |
| Cooking (Bottled Gas) | $11 | $13 | $18 | $24 | $29 |
| Cooking (Electric) | $6 | $7 | $11 | $14 | $17 |
| Cooking (Other) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other Electric | $24 | $28 | $39 | $50 | $60 |
| Air Conditioning | $14 | $17 | $24 | $31 | $40 |
| Water Heating (Natural Gas) | $11 | $13 | $19 | $25 | $31 |
| Water Heating (Bottled Gas) | $23 | $27 | $39 | $50 | $62 |
| Water Heating (Electric) | $14 | $17 | $21 | $26 | $31 |
| Water Heating (Electric – Heat Pump) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Waiting lists
| Program | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Public housing | Opening soon | Authority's page |
As published on the authority's website when we last checked it. Confirm with the authority before applying.
Latest from HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
- Public Housing (LIPH) Wait List OpeningThe Housing Authority of the City of Charleston is opening its waitlist for the Low-Income Public Housing program.
- Charleston’s Huger Street housing development plan gets long-awaited approvalThe Charleston Housing Authority received final approval for a long-awaited affordable housing development on Huger Street after years of revisions.
- Charleston Housing Authority approved for 77-unit affordable housing on Huger StreetThe Charleston Housing Authority announced approval for a 77-unit affordable housing development to be built on the Charleston peninsula.
- Charleston Housing Authority could begin demolition of downtown apartment complex by ChristmasThe Charleston Housing Authority plans to demolish a 12-apartment low-income complex on Huger Street and replace it with a 77-unit mixed-income building.
Fair Market Rent by ZIP code (FY2027)
HUD Fair Market Rent for each ZIP code this authority serves. Each ZIP code links to its own rent page.
| ZIP code | Studio | 1 bedroom | 2 bedroom | 3 bedroom | 4 bedroom |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29401 | $2,120 | $2,200 | $2,400 | $2,980 | $3,420 |
| 29403 | $1,930 | $2,010 | $2,190 | $2,720 | $3,120 |
| 29404 | $1,990 | $2,080 | $2,260 | $2,800 | $3,220 |
| 29405 | $1,390 | $1,450 | $1,580 | $1,960 | $2,250 |
| 29406 | $1,540 | $1,610 | $1,750 | $2,170 | $2,500 |
| 29407 | $1,680 | $1,750 | $1,910 | $2,370 | $2,720 |
| 29409 | $1,930 | $2,010 | $2,190 | $2,720 | $3,120 |
| 29410 | $1,500 | $1,560 | $1,700 | $2,110 | $2,420 |
| 29412 | $1,930 | $2,010 | $2,190 | $2,720 | $3,120 |
| 29414 | $1,900 | $1,980 | $2,150 | $2,670 | $3,070 |
| 29418 | $1,430 | $1,490 | $1,620 | $2,010 | $2,310 |
| 29420 | $1,630 | $1,700 | $1,850 | $2,290 | $2,640 |
| 29424 | $2,050 | $2,130 | $2,320 | $2,890 | $3,310 |
| 29425 | $1,680 | $1,750 | $1,910 | $2,370 | $2,720 |
| 29426 | $1,480 | $1,540 | $1,680 | $2,080 | $2,400 |
| 29429 | $2,500 | $2,600 | $2,830 | $3,510 | $4,040 |
| 29438 | $1,030 | $1,080 | $1,240 | $1,520 | $1,900 |
| 29439 | $2,200 | $2,300 | $2,500 | $3,100 | $3,570 |
| 29449 | $1,340 | $1,400 | $1,520 | $1,880 | $2,170 |
| 29450 | $1,890 | $1,960 | $2,140 | $2,650 | $3,050 |
| 29451 | $2,500 | $2,600 | $2,830 | $3,510 | $4,040 |
| 29455 | $1,640 | $1,710 | $1,860 | $2,310 | $2,650 |
| 29456 | $1,670 | $1,740 | $1,890 | $2,340 | $2,700 |
| 29458 | $1,670 | $1,730 | $1,920 | $2,370 | $2,790 |
| 29464 | $2,140 | $2,230 | $2,430 | $3,010 | $3,470 |
| 29466 | $2,440 | $2,540 | $2,770 | $3,430 | $3,950 |
| 29470 | $1,080 | $1,120 | $1,220 | $1,510 | $1,770 |
| 29482 | $2,160 | $2,250 | $2,460 | $3,040 | $3,510 |
| 29483 | $1,390 | $1,450 | $1,580 | $1,960 | $2,250 |
| 29485 | $1,640 | $1,710 | $1,860 | $2,310 | $2,650 |
| 29487 | $1,460 | $1,530 | $1,670 | $2,070 | $2,380 |
Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents, FY2027.
Contact
HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
550 Meeting St, Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 720-3970
Official website: chacity.org
Email updates
About HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF CHARLESTON
Overview
The Housing Authority of the City of Charleston manages 1,252 public housing units and administers 1,804 Section 8 vouchers, serving a total of 2,543 households. With an occupancy rate of 83%, the authority operates a combined program, providing both housing units and rental assistance to residents in need.
Scale and standing
Among the three authorities serving the same ZIP codes, the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston ranks second by voucher count, with 1,804 vouchers. Its peer authorities include the Housing Authority of N Charleston, which administers 2,336 vouchers, and the Charleston Co Hsg & Redev Auth, which administers 1,112 vouchers. Statewide, the authority holds the sixth position in terms of voucher size, out of 34 authorities with vouchers in South Carolina.
Rent standards in the area it covers
The two-bedroom Fair Market Rent (FMR) in the area ranges from $1,300 to $2,680, with an average of $1,941. This is significantly higher than the state average of $1,262. The highest FMR for a two-bedroom unit is found in ZIP code 29451 at $2,680, while the lowest is in ZIP code 29470 at $1,300.
Cities served
Section 8 Fair Market Rent by city in this authority's jurisdiction.
Other housing authorities serving these ZIP codes
Multiple authorities administer vouchers across the same area.
- HOUSING AUTHORITY OF N CHARLESTONNorth Charleston, SC, 2,336 vouchers
- CHARLESTON CO HSG & REDEV AUTHCharleston, SC, 1,112 vouchers
Source: US HUD Public Housing Authority data; Fair Market Rent FY2027. This is an independent reference page, not the authority's own site.