If you can’t afford housing where you live, start here for:
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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.