How long is the waitlist for Section 8?

Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.

211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.

Can single dads get TANF?

Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.

Housing & Financial in North Carolina

17 verified resources.

About Housing & Financial for Fathers

Housing and financial assistance for fathers comes through a combination of federal programs (HUD, SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP) and state/local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with long waitlists in most markets. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing are funded through the federal Continuum of Care program — every region has a Coordinated Entry system that assesses and places homeless adults and families. Rental assistance, utility assistance (LIHEAP), and one-time emergency funds are available through community action agencies and 211 referral lines. Fathers with children in their custody may qualify for Section 8 family priority and TANF, though state rules vary. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 call lines, and community action agencies that serve single dads.

Housing & Financial in North Carolina

North Carolina district courts handle family matters in all 100 counties, with some counties having dedicated family court sessions. The Child Support Services Section operates under DHHS. Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, and Winston-Salem are the largest metros. Legal Aid of North Carolina is the primary LSC-funded statewide civil legal aid program.

17 Resources

1. NC 211 / United Way of North Carolina — Free

Dial 2-1-1 for free connection to housing assistance, utility help, food banks, rental assistance, and social services across all 100 NC counties. Multilingual operators available in English, Spanish, and other languages. Available 24/7 by phone. Online search is also available at nc211.org. Fathers can get referrals for emergency shelter, child care subsidies, mental health services, and more. No eligibility screening required to call for referrals.

211 · Statewide · 24/7 · Visit Website

2. NC LIEAP (Low Income Energy Assistance) — Free

Helps low-income North Carolina families pay heating and cooling bills through one-time direct payments to energy providers. Crisis assistance is available for those facing immediate utility shutoff. Applications are accepted seasonally at local county DSS offices. Income and household size are used to determine eligibility. Call 1-800-662-7030 for program dates and income guidelines. Apply at your local county DSS office in person. Bring proof of income, utility bills, and ID.

1-800-662-7030 · Apply at local county DSS office · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; seasonal enrollment · Visit Website

3. The Salvation Army of Greater Charlotte — Free

Emergency shelter, rent and utility assistance, food pantry, and transitional housing programs for fathers and families in the Charlotte metro area. The Salvation Army assists with one-time financial crises and connects families to longer-term housing resources. Call 704-334-1164 for emergency assistance. Located at 534 Spratt St, Charlotte. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm. Bring proof of income, ID, and utility bills or eviction notices when requesting financial assistance.

704-334-1164 · 534 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206 · Mon-Fri 9am-4pm · Visit Website

4. Charlotte Rescue Mission — Free

Recovery and men's shelter providing housing, meals, addiction recovery, job training, and life skills programs for men in need in the Charlotte area. Programs include a long-term residential recovery program, transitional housing, and workforce development. Intake is available daily. Call 704-333-4673 for bed availability. Located at 907 W 1st St, Charlotte. Bring photo ID if available. Programs are free for residents. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for program inquiries.

704-333-4673 · 907 W 1st St, Charlotte, NC 28202 · Intake daily; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Durham Rescue Mission — Free

Emergency shelter, meals, long-term recovery programs, and job readiness training for men and families in the Durham-Triangle area. Shelter intake is available daily for men in crisis. Long-term residential programs address addiction recovery, employment skills, and life stability. Call 919-688-9641 for bed availability and program information. Located at 1201 E Main St, Durham. Bring photo ID if available. Programs are free. Office hours Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm for inquiries.

919-688-9641 · 1201 E Main St, Durham, NC 27701 · Shelter intake daily; office Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Raleigh Rescue Mission — Free

Men's shelter, meals, recovery programs, workforce development, and transitional housing in the Raleigh area serving single fathers and men in crisis. Shelter is open daily for emergency placement. Long-term recovery and transitional housing programs help men rebuild stable lives. Call 919-828-9014 for shelter availability. Located at 314 E Hargett St, Raleigh. Bring photo ID if available. Programs are free for residents. Office hours Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for program inquiries.

919-828-9014 · 314 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601 · Shelter open daily; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agencies in NC — Free

Free HUD-certified housing counselors across North Carolina help with homebuyer education, foreclosure prevention, rental assistance navigation, and credit counseling. Counselors assist fathers facing eviction, mortgage delinquency, or first-time home purchase. Call 1-800-569-4287 to find a HUD-approved agency near you. Multiple locations statewide. Bring income documentation, lease or mortgage statements, and credit reports to counseling sessions. Sessions are free and confidential.

1-800-569-4287 · Multiple locations statewide · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

8. NC Housing Finance Agency — Free

State agency offering affordable mortgage programs, down payment assistance, rental assistance, and housing stability resources for North Carolina residents. Programs include NC Home Advantage Mortgage with down payment help, foreclosure prevention counseling, and the NC Foreclosure Prevention Fund. Call 919-877-5700 for program eligibility. Located at 3508 Bush St, Raleigh. Fathers buying their first home or facing housing instability should contact this agency. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

919-877-5700 · 3508 Bush St, Raleigh, NC 27609 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. Habitat for Humanity of Charlotte — Paid

Helps low-income families build and purchase affordable homes in the Charlotte area through sweat equity builds, homebuyer education, affordable mortgage financing, and home repair programs. Applicants must complete homebuyer education and contribute volunteer hours. Call 704-376-2054 for eligibility and application information. Located at 3815 Latrobe Dr, Charlotte. A ReStore sells donated building materials to fund programs. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm for inquiries.

704-376-2054 · 3815 Latrobe Dr, Charlotte, NC 28211 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

10. Habitat for Humanity of Wake County — Paid

Provides affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families in the Raleigh-Wake County area through new construction, home repair programs, and ReStore retail operations. Applicants must complete homebuyer education classes and contribute volunteer hours toward their home. Call 919-833-1999 for eligibility requirements and applications. Located at 2420 N Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh. The ReStore sells donated building materials and appliances. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.

919-833-1999 · 2420 N Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27604 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

11. Crisis Assistance Ministry - Charlotte — Free

Emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing vouchers, and financial counseling for Mecklenburg County families facing crisis or risk of homelessness. Fathers can receive one-time assistance with back rent, utility cutoffs, and clothing for job interviews. Walk-in intake is available. Call 704-371-3001 for eligibility information. Located at 500 Spratt St, Charlotte. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm. Bring proof of income, lease or utility bills, and photo ID to your appointment.

704-371-3001 · 500 Spratt St, Charlotte, NC 28206 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4pm · Visit Website

12. StepUp Ministry - Raleigh — Free

Raleigh nonprofit helping individuals in poverty achieve long-term stability through employment coaching, financial literacy classes, housing assistance, and peer mentoring. Programs serve adults who want to build lasting self-sufficiency. Services are free for participants. Call 919-832-8445 for intake information. Located at 12 S West St, Raleigh. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Bring photo ID and income documentation to your intake meeting. Fathers working toward stability are welcome.

919-832-8445 · 12 S West St, Raleigh, NC 27603 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

13. Greensboro Housing Coalition — Free

Nonprofit promoting affordable housing in Greensboro through rental assistance, emergency financial aid, homebuyer education, and HUD-certified housing counseling. Fathers facing eviction or rent hardship can apply for one-time emergency assistance. Homebuyer education classes prepare first-time buyers. Call 336-691-9521 for program eligibility. Located at 122 N Elm St, Suite 510, Greensboro. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm. Bring income documents and housing paperwork to appointments.

336-691-9521 · 122 N Elm St, Suite 510, Greensboro, NC 27401 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm

14. Winston-Salem Rescue Mission — Free

Emergency shelter, meals, addiction recovery, and workforce development for men in crisis in the Winston-Salem area. A long-term residential recovery program is available for men seeking sustained sobriety and life rebuilding. Shelter intake available daily. Call 336-723-1848 for bed availability. Located at 924 W 4th St, Winston-Salem. Open daily for shelter; Mon-Fri 8am-5pm for office inquiries. Bring photo ID if available. Programs are free for residents.

336-723-1848 · 924 W 4th St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101 · Shelter open daily; office Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

15. Fayetteville Area Operation Inasmuch — Free

Emergency financial assistance for rent, utilities, and basic needs for families in crisis in the Fayetteville-Cumberland County area. One-time assistance is available for fathers facing eviction, utility shutoff, or unexpected hardship. Walk-in intake accepted during morning hours. Call 910-485-1382 for eligibility information. Located at 516 Maiden Ln, Fayetteville. Open Mon-Fri 9am-12pm. Bring photo ID, proof of income, and relevant bills or eviction notices.

910-485-1382 · 516 Maiden Ln, Fayetteville, NC 28301 · Mon-Fri 9am-12pm

16. Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry (ABCCM) — Free

Emergency shelter for men, transitional housing, Veterans Restoration Quarters, and crisis assistance in western NC serving the Asheville-Buncombe County area. Services include food pantry, clothing assistance, dental care, addiction recovery support, and case management. The Veterans Restoration Quarters specifically serves homeless veterans. Call 828-259-5300 for intake. Located at 30 Cumberland Ave, Asheville. Open Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm. Bring photo ID if available.

828-259-5300 · 30 Cumberland Ave, Asheville, NC 28801 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

17. NC Emergency Rental Assistance Program — Free

State-administered program helping NC renters facing eviction or housing instability with rent, utility, and internet payments during periods of financial hardship. Applications are processed through local administering agencies. Bring lease agreements, utility bills, income verification, and photo ID to apply. Call 1-888-927-5467 or apply online at rebuild.nc.gov. Statewide program with local offices. Fathers experiencing job loss or income disruption are encouraged to apply early. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

1-888-927-5467 · Statewide – apply online · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

Housing & Financial — Common Questions

How long is the waitlist for Section 8?: Varies wildly — from a few months in some markets to 5+ years in hot metros (LA, NYC, DC). Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your area. Some PHAs give preference to families with children, veterans, or homeless applicants.
What does 211 do?: 211 is a free nationwide referral service operated by United Way and partners. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local help with rent, utilities, food, childcare, employment, and more. Available 24/7 in most areas.
Can single dads get TANF?: Yes. TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is gender-neutral — any qualifying parent or caretaker with a dependent child in the home can apply. Benefit amounts and time limits vary by state. Work requirements apply after a brief grace period.
What's LIHEAP?: The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program helps low-income households pay heating and cooling bills. Apply through your state's LIHEAP office. Both annual assistance and emergency crisis payments are available. Don't wait until disconnection — apply at the start of the heating season.