Dalton Section 8 Calculator — Whitfield County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Dalton

• Agency: Housing Authority of the City of Dalton (HACD)
• Jurisdiction: City of Dalton and portions of Whitfield County, GA
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor daltonha.com
• Application portal: daltonha.com
• Main office: 300 N Selvidge St, Dalton, GA 30720
• Phone: (706) 278-0252

The Housing Authority of the City of Dalton is the primary housing assistance agency for Dalton, Georgia — a city of approximately 35,000 residents in Whitfield County in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the Tennessee border. Dalton is globally recognized as the center of the U.S. flooring and carpet manufacturing industry, home to major producers including Mohawk Industries and Shaw Industries. The city’s industrial base supports a large working-class population, many of whom are recent immigrants or long-term manufacturing employees seeking affordable housing amid rising costs.

HACD manages a portfolio of public housing units and administers tenant-based Housing Choice Vouchers for qualifying households. The authority works closely with Whitfield County social services, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), and local nonprofits to coordinate housing assistance and connect applicants to wraparound services.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Whitfield County

HUD publishes income limits for the Dalton, GA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Whitfield and Murray Counties. The Dalton MSA’s AMI reflects the region’s manufacturing-dominated economy and is notably lower than the Atlanta metro benchmark — which means income eligibility thresholds are lower in absolute terms, but Dalton’s rents are correspondingly more modest.

For 2026, HUD Fair Market Rents for the Dalton area cover standard one-, two-, and three-bedroom units at levels that align well with the local rental market. Most standard apartments in Dalton’s residential neighborhoods — particularly outside the downtown core — fall within or near the FMR ceiling. This makes Dalton one of the more voucher-friendly markets in North Georgia in terms of finding landlords willing to participate in the Section 8 program.

Voucher holders pay approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly gross income toward rent, with HACD paying the remainder to the landlord up to the local payment standard.

Run your Dalton rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Dalton

1. Call HACD at (706) 278-0252 to confirm whether the waiting list is currently accepting applications before preparing any documents — the list opens and closes based on available voucher funding.
2. Prepare your documentation: valid state-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards, recent income verification (pay stubs, SSI/SSDI award letters, employer letters), and current rental agreement or address documentation.
3. Complete and submit your application at HACD’s office at 300 N Selvidge St, or through any online intake process if offered at the time of opening; bring originals and copies of all documents.
4. Report qualifying preferences at the time of application — veteran status, disability, or current homelessness may qualify you for priority placement on the waiting list.
5. Await your eligibility interview — HACD will contact you when your name nears the top of the list; you’ll need to pass an income verification process and background screening before receiving a voucher.

Waiting List Tips for Dalton

• Check the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) website — DCA administers statewide housing programs and may have emergency rental assistance or other programs available to Dalton residents on the waiting list.
• Contact Northwest Georgia Community Action Agency for short-term rental assistance, utility help, and housing navigation services while you await a HACD voucher.
• Explore LIHTC-funded apartment communities in Whitfield County — the Georgia Housing Search portal (georgiahousingsearch.org) lists income-restricted properties in the Dalton area with potentially shorter wait times.
• If you are a Spanish-speaking applicant, ask HACD about interpreter assistance — Dalton has a large Spanish-speaking community and HACD typically provides bilingual support for applicants.