What to do first if you can’t afford housing where you live:
We’ll guide you step by step to find help for housing, food, childcare, and other essential services in Wake County.Clear steps. Local resources. No runaround.If rent, utilities, or housing costs are becoming unmanageable, this site helps you figure out what to do first — based on where you live.
You don’t have to be “homeless enough.”
You don’t have to know the right program names.
You just have to start.
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If you live in Wake County, North Carolina
Step 1: Figure out what kind of help you need right now
Start with the option that feels closest. You don’t have to get this perfect.
🔴 I’m about to lose my housing (or already have)
You may qualify for emergency housing, shelter, or homelessness prevention services.
🟡 I’m still housed, but I can’t keep up with rent or bills
You may qualify for rental assistance, utility help, or housing vouchers.
🟢 I’m stable for now, but it’s not sustainable
You should get on housing and assistance waitlists early — they are long, and that’s not your fault.
Step 2: Contact the local housing help entry point
In Wake County, housing assistance is coordinated at the county level, not by individual towns.
Start here:
Wake County Housing Authority
They handle:
• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• Public housing information
• Referrals to other housing programs
What to know:
• Waitlists may be closed — still check
• Updates can be slow
• This is normal (and frustrating)
If you are facing immediate housing loss:
• Ask about Coordinated Entry, which is how emergency housing and shelter access works in Wake County
• You may be referred to services in nearby cities — that is how the system is set up.
Step 3: Apply for help that can stabilize you before housing is lostMany people qualify for support before eviction or homelessness happens.
Local options serving Cary and Wake County residents include:NeighborUp
Offers:
• Food pantry access
• Help with rent and utilities
• Childcare assistance
• Case management and coachingEligibility requirements:
Neighbor must be a permanent resident of Cary, Morrisville, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Willow Spring, New Hill, or Friendship.
OR have a child in the home who attends a public K-12 school in the areas listed above.
OR is experiencing homelessness or in a temporary location with a most recent permanent address in the service areas listed above.Food assistance:
• Food pantries can immediately reduce monthly expenses, freeing money for rentFood Assistance in Wake County:NeighborUp – Cary & Apex PantriesFree emergency groceries: canned goods, milk, produce, dairy, frozen meat.Hours: Mon–Sat, 9 am–3 pm
Address: Cary - 193 High House Rd.
Apex - 1600 Olive Chapel Rd., Suite 408
Phone: 919-469-9861Care Pantry – CaryReceive food, clothing and a hot meal.Hours: Every Saturday from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm
Address: 1503 Walnut St, Cary, NC 27511
Phone: 919-467-9159Covenant Life Church – Reach Food Pantry – CaryWe routinely have a variety of produce, canned items, frozen meat, and other staples. No appointments necessary.Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 4 pm - 6 pm
Address: 555 SW Maynard Road, Cary
Phone: 919-615-1122Urban Ministries of Wake County Food PantryOur food pantry offers convenient curbside pickup, delivering fresh, healthy, and nutritious food to you each week. You’ll receive a variety of fresh produce, canned goods, meats, and eggs whenever they are available.Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - capacity
Address: 1390 Capital Blvd, Raleigh
Phone: 919-746-0088Wake Relief Emergency Food Pantry - RaleighWake Relief provides a week’s worth of groceries to individuals and families in Wake County who are experiencing food insecurity.Hours: Monday: 1-3 p.m., Tuesday: 1-3 p.m., Wednesday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., 4th Saturday of the month: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Address: 4 N Blount Street, Raleigh
Phone: 919-307-8748Salvation Army – Wake County Food Pantry - RaleighFood bags by appointment.Hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1 - 1:45 pm
Address: 1863 Capital Blvd., Raleigh
Phone: 919-834-6733Inter‑Faith Food Shuttle – Pantries & Mobile MarketsCounty-wide food distribution via partner pantries and mobile sites. Check website to find food.Phone: 919-250-0043Other Wake County Pantries:North Raleigh Ministries – RaleighWe are here to support you and serve residents of the following zip codes: 27604, 27609, 27612, 27613, 27614, 27615, and 27616. Must bring documentation you live in their service area.Hours: Monday 10:30 am – 2 pm, Tuesday 10:30 am – 2 pm, Wednesday 3:30 pm – 7 pm, Thursday 10:30 am – 2 pm
Address: 2809 E Millbrook Rd, Raleigh
Phone: 919-844-6676Catholic Parish Outreach – RaleighFamilies from Franklin, Johnston, Wake County are invited to access food pantry assistance from Catholic Parish Outreach.
Families may receive groceries once every 30 days.Hours: Mon/Weds/Thurs/Fri/Sat
9:00AM – 12:00 PM
Closed Tuesdays.
Address: 2013 Raleigh Blvd, Raleigh
Phone: 919-873-0245Life Harvest Food Pantry – RaleighGuests can utilize the pantry twice per month.Hours: 10:00 am – 11:00 am
January – November: 2nd & 4th Saturdays; December: 1st and 3rd Saturdays
Address: 7109 Leesville Rd., RaleighCrabtree Valley Baptist Church Hope Pantry – RaleighWe provide non-perishable food and hygiene items.Hours: Wednesday, 9 am – noon
Address: 4408 Lead Mine Road, Raleigh
Phone: 919-781-5345Fuquay‑Varina Emergency Food Pantry – Fuquay‑VarinaWe are a Drive-Through Food Pantry; guests may visit once every 28 days.Hours: Tuesday 9:00 – 11:45, Thursday 3:00 – 5:45
Address: 216 W Academy St, Fuquay Varina
Phone: 919-552-7720White Oak Foundation Pantry – ApexHours: Wednesdays and Fridays 11:00am-2:00pm, (No Friday before a Saturday Distribution),
2nd Saturday 11:00am- 1:00PM
Address: 1624 White Oak Church Rd., Apex
Phone: 919-362-6799💡 Tips for visiting food pantries:Call ahead; hours may change.Bring proof of Wake County residence if required.Check Inter‑Faith Food Shuttle and Urban Ministries for mobile fresh produce events.Utility assistance:
• Prevents shutoffs and late fees
• Often easier to qualify for than housing programsApplying early improves your chances later.
Step 4: Get on housing waitlists (even if they’re long)
Affordable housing takes time. Waiting to apply only makes it harder.
In this area, options may include:
• Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
• Income-restricted apartment communities
• Nonprofit-run housing programs
Important things to know:
• Waitlists open and close unpredictably
• You do not need to be homeless to apply
• Being “not in crisis yet” does not disqualify you
Step 5: If you’re overwhelmed, ask for navigation help
You are not expected to understand this system on your own.
• Call 2-1-1 for help to get connected to local housing, food, and financial assistance
• Ask nonprofits if they offer case management
• It is okay to say: “I don’t know what to apply for first.”
That is literally their job.
One thing you deserve to hear:
Needing housing help is not a personal failure.
Most people who end up needing assistance were housed — until something changed.
Looking for help early is the smartest thing you can do.