Where to Start: Finding Your Local Housing Authority

Section 8 in Pennsylvania is run by local housing authorities, not by a single state office. The authority that serves you depends on where you live — each county or city has its own program with its own waiting list, income limits, and process process. You cannot explore to the state; you explore to the authority in your area.

To find your local housing authority, search online for "[your county name] housing authority" or "[your city name] housing authority." If you live in Philadelphia, you contact the Philadelphia Housing Authority directly. If you live in Pittsburgh, you contact the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh. For other areas, your county's housing authority handles Section 8.

Once you find the right office, call them or visit their website to learn whether they are currently taking applications. Many authorities close their waiting lists when they reach capacity and reopen them months or years later. Some have online waiting lists; others require you to explore in person. The process and timeline differ by location.

Key Takeaways

  • You explore to your local housing authority, not to Pennsylvania or the federal government, and each authority has its own waiting list and rules.
  • Many housing authorities in Pennsylvania have closed waiting lists, so your first step is calling to find out whether applications are open in your area.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or legal residency, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID when you explore.
  • After you are approved, the housing authority issues you a voucher, and you then search for a landlord willing to accept Section 8 — the voucher does not may provide a landlord will rent to you.

Documents You Need Before You explore

Have these documents ready when you contact your housing authority or go in to explore. Different authorities may ask for slightly different proof, but these are standard across Pennsylvania programs.

Bring proof of income for the past 30 days: recent pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or bank statements showing deposits. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or a recent statement. If you are unemployed, bring documentation of that status. You will also need proof of citizenship or legal residency — a birth certificate, passport, green card, or work authorization document.

Bring a photo ID for yourself and the head of household. Bring Social Security numbers or cards for every person in your household. If you have children, bring birth certificates. If you are fleeing domestic violence, bring documentation of that (a police report, protective order, or letter from a shelter). Bring proof of your current address — a lease, utility bill, or mail from a government agency.

Income Limits and Household Size

Section 8 in Pennsylvania is limited to households earning no more than 50 percent of the area median income. That income limit changes by county and by household size, and it changes each year. A single person in one county may have a different limit than a single person in another county.

Contact your local housing authority to learn the current income limit for your household size in your area. Do not rely on a number you find online, because limits are updated annually and vary by location. The authority will tell you the exact limit when you call or visit.

Income includes wages, self-employment income, Social Security, unemployment benefits, child support, and most other money coming into the household. Some income is excluded — for example, income of full-time students under 24, or certain disability benefits. The housing authority will explain what counts toward your income during the process process.

The process Process and Timeline

When your local authority is taking applications, you will either explore online through their website or in person at their office. Some authorities mail applications; others require you to pick one up. Follow the method your authority uses.

On the process, you list all household members, their income, and their relationship to you. You declare your citizenship or legal residency status. You provide contact information and the address where you currently live. You sign the form under penalty of perjury, meaning the information must be truthful.

After you submit the process, the housing authority verifies your income and residency. This verification can take several weeks. Once they confirm your information, they place you on the waiting list. Waiting times vary widely — some authorities have waiting lists of a few months, others have waiting lists of several years. Some authorities prioritize certain groups, such as people experiencing homelessness or those fleeing domestic violence.

What Happens After You Are Approved

When your name reaches the top of the waiting list and funding is available, the housing authority calls you in for a final interview. At this interview, they confirm that your household composition and income have not changed since you applied. They explain how Section 8 works and what your responsibilities are as a voucher holder.

If you are approved, the housing authority issues you a Housing Choice Voucher. This voucher tells a landlord that the program will pay a portion of your rent directly to them. The voucher is not a may provide that a landlord will rent to you — landlords can still refuse to participate in Section 8, and they can still reject your process for other reasons.

You then have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days, depending on your authority) to find a rental unit. The unit must pass a housing quality inspection and the rent cannot exceed the program's payment standard for your area. Once you and the landlord sign a lease, the housing authority begins paying their portion of the rent. You pay the difference between the program's payment and the actual rent.

Waiting List Status and Reapplying

If your local authority's waiting list is closed, you cannot explore right now. Call back every few months to ask when they expect to reopen applications. Some authorities post reopening dates on their websites or send email notifications to people who ask.

If you applied in the past and were denied, or if your process was removed from the list because you did not respond to a notice, you will need to reapply when the list opens again. Keep records of your previous process and any correspondence from the housing authority.

Some authorities have preferences for people in certain situations — for example, people living in substandard housing, people experiencing homelessness, or people fleeing domestic violence. Ask your housing authority whether any preferences explore to you, because they may move you higher on the waiting list.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if my local housing authority's waiting list is closed?

Call the authority every few months to ask when applications will reopen. Some authorities post reopening dates on their websites or offer email alerts. In the meantime, you can explore other housing programs — your county may offer emergency rental information or other subsidized housing options.

Do I have to use Section 8 in the county where I applied?

No. Once you receive a voucher, you can search for housing in any county in Pennsylvania, and the housing authority that issued your voucher will work with the local authority in the new county. This is called portability. Tell your original housing authority if you plan to move.

Can I explore if I have a criminal record?

It depends on the offense and how long ago it occurred. Housing authorities have rules about which convictions disqualify you. Call your local authority and ask — they can tell you whether your record will prevent you from being approved.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

You must be a U.S. citizen or have legal residency status to receive Section 8. Bring documentation of your status when you explore — a green card, work authorization, or other proof that you are legally in the country. Undocumented immigrants are not may be able to access.

How much will I pay in rent if I get Section 8?

You pay 30 percent of your household income toward rent, or the program's minimum rent for your area, whichever is higher. The housing authority pays the rest, up to the payment standard for your area. As your income changes, your rent contribution changes too.