Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority Receives Over $1.2 Million in HUD Funding to Expand Housing Assistance

The Western Piedmont Council of Governments Regional Housing Authority (WPCOG RHA) is proud to announce the receipt of an additional $1,235,891 in Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding will significantly expand the RHA’s capacity to serve an additional 173 families in need of affordable housing across the region.

In August 2025, HUD awarded $913,939 in HAP funding to the WPCOG RHA. Based on the current average per-unit cost of $594, this allocation will enable the RHA to assist approximately 128 additional families over the next year.

This funding follows a major transition in July 2025, when the City of Hickory and HUD transferred administration of the Hickory Housing Authority’s (HHA) Section 8 Housing Voucher Program—including 556 vouchers—to the WPCOG RHA. At the time of transfer, only 272 vouchers (48%) were in use, and new leasing operations were temporarily halted due to the financial condition of the HHA.

With the new funding, the WPCOG RHA resumed leasing operations, beginning with offers of assistance to:

• 91 Choice Mobility Voucher applicants (current residents of Nu-Dimensions properties)

• Applicants from the WPCOG RHA waiting list

In addition to the HAP funding, the RHA received a $321,952 award for Mainstream Vouchers, which serve families with a disabled household member aged 18–61. This award will allow the RHA to serve about 45 additional families over the next one to two years.

“This funding marks a critical step forward in our mission to provide safe, stable housing for families in our region,” said Stephanie B. Hanvey, Director of WPCOG RHA. “We are grateful to HUD for their continued support and look forward to expanding our reach to those who need it most.”

“We have a significant need for affordable housing in our region. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and the partnership with HUD and Hickory, more families are benefiting from this important program,” said WPCOG Board Chair and Lenoir Mayor Joe Gibbons.

The WPCOG RHA will continue to seek additional funding to fully utilize the 556 vouchers transferred from the HHA and ensure long-term housing stability for residents across the Western Piedmont region.