Frequently Asked Questions

The HCVP is the federal program for assisting very low-income households to afford decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing in the private rental market. Since this housing assistance is tenant-based, families choose their housing. Participants in the HCVP pay approximately 30% of their gross income to their landlords and Brunswick County Public Housing Authority (BCPHA) pays the balance directly to the landlord.

Due to high demand, the HCVP wait list is usually closed. When most of the names on the waiting list have been utilized, BCPHA opens the waiting list to the public through a lottery.

The lottery is conducted online, with lottery entries only accepted for a limited period through the BCPHA HCVP lottery website.

After the period during which lottery entries are accepted, a random computer draw will take place from among all the entries. The lottery entries chosen in this random computer draw will be placed on the waiting list in the order in which they are drawn. Duplicate entries are eliminated, so no one has more than one chance of being selected. Each household member aged 18 or older may submit an entry.

No. The order in which entries are received will not affect your chance of being selected for the waiting list or your placement on it. Every completed entry submitted according to the website's instructions will be entered into the lottery. Selection will be based on a random computerized drawing, so all applicants have an equal chance of being selected for the list.

Any computer with internet access can be used, whether it belongs to a relative, friend or caseworker. You can also use any available computer at public locations such as public libraries. 

If you do not have access to a computer, you can pick up a paper application in the lobby of the Brunswick County Social Services Building (Building B), or you can call and ask for an application to be mailed to you. All paper applications need to be received by our office no later than 5 p.m. on March 25, 2024. 

To be eligible, households must meet the following criteria:

• Must not exceed current very low-income limits.
• Household members 18 years old and over must clear a criminal background check. Any drug-related or violent criminal activity in the past three years could make you ineligible.
• Must not owe a debt to BCPHA or any other housing authority.
• Must not have any previous terminations within the past three years from any HUD-assisted housing such as Section 8 or Public Housing.

Lottery entrants will need to provide their date of birth, social security number, address, and general income information on the entry forms. It will also be helpful to include the date of birth, social security numbers, and income information for other household members.

Approximately 5-15 minutes, depending on the number of family members in the household.

No. Placement on the waiting list does not guarantee that you will receive a voucher. As vouchers become available, names will be taken from the top of the waiting list and interviews will be scheduled to determine if the applicant is eligible for the HCVP. Once qualified, those households will receive a voucher.

Yes. A single person is considered a family.

Yes. You can be employed and still qualify. Also, you do not have to be employed to qualify but income is required.

Yes, however depending on the date of termination and the reason for termination, you may be ineligible to receive assistance.

Yes. Residency in Brunswick County is not required for entry in the lottery or eligibility for the HCVP. However, those who are not residents of Brunswick County must lease a unit in Brunswick County for the first year they are in the program.

After the lottery closes, a random computer draw will select 250 entries to place on the waiting list.

The BCPHA HCVP will send letters to all the selected entrants advising them that their names have been placed on the waiting list.

If your entry is not picked in the lottery, your name will not be placed on the waiting list. You are welcome to enter the next lottery. 

It is impossible to estimate the length of time it will take for an applicant on the waiting list to be called in for qualification.