Contact Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority
- Phone
- (304) 348-6451
- Office
- 1525 Washington St W, Charleston, WV 25387
VoucherMatch is not the housing authority and does not take applications or hold a waiting list. Applications, status checks and portal logins go through the office above.
Section 8 waiting list
We have not verified whether this voucher waiting list is open. Check the agency’s current notice for the specific program; an applicant login does not establish an opening. Call (304) 348-6451 and ask whether the Housing Choice Voucher list is open, when it last opened and how the next opening will be announced.
- Ask which lists are open. Vouchers, public housing and any project-based buildings each keep their own list, and you can be on more than one.
- Have ID, Social Security numbers and proof of income ready for everyone in the household. Income is verified before any assistance is offered.
- Keep your mailing address, phone and email current with the office. Authorities remove applicants who do not answer an update letter.
Section 8 income limits in Kanawha County (FY2026)
To qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher, a household's gross annual income generally has to be at or below the very low income limit for its size. In Kanawha County that is $40,400 a year for a family of four, about $3,360 a month before taxes. HUD's area median family income here is $80,800.
| Household size | Extremely low | Very low (50%) | Low (80%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $17,000 | $28,300 | $45,300 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $32,350 | $51,750 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $36,400 | $58,200 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $40,400 | $64,650 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $43,650 | $69,850 |
| 6 people | $44,360 | $46,900 | $75,000 |
| 7 people | $50,040 | $50,100 | $80,200 |
| 8 people | $53,350 | $53,350 | $85,350 |
Which column applies to you. The middle column is the eligibility line for most applicants (24 CFR 982.201). The low income column only applies in special cases, such as families already receiving federal housing assistance. Federal rules generally require at least 75% of admissions from the waiting list each year to be extremely low income families. This does not predict selection or waiting time. For a family of four here, that threshold is $33,000 or less.
Income is counted before taxes and covers the whole household. The housing authority verifies it when your name is reached on the waiting list, so what counts is your income at that point. Being under the income limit is only one part of eligibility and does not guarantee admission.
Compare your household income with Section 8 limits and see how monthly income becomes an annual estimate.
Source: HUD FY2026 Section 8 Income Limits for the Charleston, WV HUD Metro FMR Area, huduser.gov.
HUD rent benchmarks in Kanawha County
HUD rent benchmarks for FY2027, effective October 1, 2026. These are not adopted housing-authority payment standards or household subsidy amounts. The illustration shows 90% to 110% of FMR; ZIP-based schedules, approved exceptions and Moving to Work rules can differ.
| Bedrooms | FMR | Illustration: 90% to 110% of FMR |
|---|---|---|
| Efficiency (studio) | $730 | $657 to $803 |
| 1-bedroom | $844 | $760 to $928 |
| 2-bedroom | $1,048 | $943 to $1,153 |
| 3-bedroom | $1,324 | $1,192 to $1,456 |
| 4-bedroom | $1,377 | $1,239 to $1,515 |
The two-bedroom HUD benchmark for Kanawha County is $1,048. Multiplying by 90% and 110% gives $943 to $1,153, not an approval range. Gross rent includes the applicable allowance for tenant-paid utilities. Your agency must calculate assistance using its adopted standard, your household and the proposed unit.
More housing help in Charleston
Frequently asked questions
- What is the phone number for Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority?
- The main office number HUD lists for Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority is (304) 348-6451. The office is at 1525 Washington St W, Charleston, WV 25387.
- Does Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority have Section 8?
- Yes. HUD reports that Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority administers 3,213 Housing Choice Vouchers. It also runs 1,098 public housing apartments, which have a separate waiting list.
- Is the Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority Section 8 waiting list open?
- We have not verified the current status of this list. Call (304) 348-6451 and ask whether the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is open, when it last opened, and how openings are announced.
- What is the income limit for Section 8 in Kanawha County?
- For FY2026, HUD's very low income limit in Kanawha County is $40,400 a year for a family of four. A household generally has to be at or below that line to qualify for a voucher, and most new vouchers go to households at or below the extremely low income limit.
- How much will Section 8 pay for a two-bedroom in Kanawha County?
- HUD's FY2027 Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom in Kanawha County is $1,048 a month, rent and utilities together. That is a county benchmark, not an adopted payment standard or your subsidy. Ask Charleston/Kanawha Housing Authority for the schedule that applies to your program, address and bedroom size; ZIP-based schedules, exceptions and Moving to Work policies can differ. Your household calculation, tenant-paid utilities and the agency's rent review also matter.
All housing authorities in West Virginia →
Contact details and unit counts from HUD’s Public Housing Authorities directory, agency WV001. Call ahead before you visit: offices move and hours change.