Contact Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
- Phone(803) 254-3886
- Fax(803) 376-6114
- Email[email protected]
- Address1917 Harden St
Columbia, SC 29204 - CountyRichland County
- ProgramsPublic housing and Section 8 vouchers
- HUD codeSC002
Section 8 and public housing at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
Housing Authority of the City of Columbia runs both programs: its own public housing apartments and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers for private rentals. They usually have separate waiting lists, so ask to be placed on both if you qualify.
HUD rates its public housing management as Standard Performer under the Public Housing Assessment System (PHAS).
Income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
HUD sets the income limits for Richland County, SC based on the Columbia, SC HUD Metro FMR Area figures. Section 8 eligibility depends on your total household income and household size.
| Household size | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $19,400 | $32,350 | $51,750 |
| 2 people | $22,200 | $37,000 | $59,150 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $41,600 | $66,550 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $46,200 | $73,900 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $49,900 | $79,850 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $53,600 | $85,750 |
Fair Market Rent near Columbia
Fair Market Rents are HUD's estimate of what a modest rental costs in the Columbia, SC HUD Metro FMR Area. Housing authorities set their Section 8 payment standard, the most the voucher can cover, usually between 90% and 110% of these figures.
How to apply at Housing Authority of the City of Columbia
- Check that you qualify. Compare your household income with the limits above. You also need U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status for at least one household member.
- Find out if the waiting list is open. Call (803) 254-3886 or email [email protected]. Many agencies open their lists only a few days a year and announce it in advance.
- Submit the pre-application. Most agencies take it online or on paper during the open period. Fill it in for each program you want (public housing and Section 8).
- Keep your contact details up to date. When your name comes up, the agency writes to you. If it cannot reach you, you lose your place.
- Bring your documents to the interview. IDs, Social Security numbers, birth certificates and proof of income for everyone in the household. Full checklist.
We cannot tell you whether this agency's waiting list is open today: HUD does not publish that data, and lists change often. Only Housing Authority of the City of Columbia can confirm it.
Housing authorities near Columbia
Applying to more than one agency increases your chances: you can be on several waiting lists at once.
Frequently asked questions
What is the phone number of Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
(803) 254-3886. Fax: (803) 376-6114. Email: [email protected]. These are the contacts the agency reports to HUD.
Where is Housing Authority of the City of Columbia located?
1917 Harden St, Columbia, SC 29204, in Richland County.
Does Housing Authority of the City of Columbia offer Section 8?
Yes. HUD reports 4,822 Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) at this agency, 4,305 of them in use.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the City of Columbia?
In Richland County, SC, the FY2026 Section 8 (very low income) limit is $32,350 for one person and $46,200 for a family of four. Public housing accepts up to $73,900 for a family of four.
Is the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia waiting list open?
Waiting lists open and close on dates each agency sets, often for a few days only. Call (803) 254-3886 or check the agency's notices to confirm whether it is taking applications now.
Section 8 guides
Sources: HUD Public Housing Authorities dataset (agency record updated October 6, 2026) · HUD USER income limits FY2026 · HUD USER Fair Market Rents FY2027. This page is not affiliated with Housing Authority of the City of Columbia or HUD.