Where to start: contact your local housing authority

Section 8 in Pennsylvania is run by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), not by a single state office. The authority that serves you depends on where you live — Philadelphia has its own, Pittsburgh has its own, and smaller counties have theirs. You cannot send an process to Harrisburg or a state office and expect it to reach the right place.

Your first step is to find which PHA covers your address. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency maintains a list of all PHAs on its website, organized by county. Once you know your PHA, contact them directly by phone or visit their office in person. Many PHAs now accept applications online through their websites, but some still require paper forms submitted in person or by mail.

When you call or visit, ask whether the waiting list is currently open. Many Pennsylvania PHAs close their waiting lists when they reach capacity, and some have not opened them in years. If the list is closed, ask when it might reopen and whether you can request notification when it does.

Key Takeaways

  • Section 8 applications go to your local Public Housing Authority, which varies by county — Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and other areas each run their own programs.
  • Many Pennsylvania PHAs have closed waiting lists, so your first call should confirm whether applications are being taken at all.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or immigration status, Social Security numbers for all household members, and a photo ID.
  • After you submit an process, the PHA will contact you for an interview; the wait between process and interview can range from months to years depending on the waiting list length.
  • Once you are on the waiting list, you remain there until the PHA calls you for an interview, which means staying in contact with them if you move.

Documents you need before you explore

Gather these items before you contact your PHA or submit an process. Different authorities may ask for slightly different documentation, but these are standard across Pennsylvania programs.

You will need proof of income for the past 30 days for every person in your household who works — pay stubs, a letter from your employer, or bank statements showing regular deposits. If you receive benefits, bring the award letter or benefit statement. If you have no income, bring documentation of that (a letter from your employer stating you were laid off, for example). You will also need proof of citizenship or immigration status — a birth certificate, passport, green card, or work permit.

Bring a photo ID for the head of household and Social Security numbers (or ITIN) for every household member. You will need proof of your current address — a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days. If you are homeless or living with someone else, bring whatever documentation shows where you are currently staying. Some PHAs also ask for a list of all household members and their relationships to you.

The process process and what happens next

Once you submit your process, the PHA will review it for completeness. If something is missing, they will contact you and ask you to provide it. This can add weeks to the process if you do not respond quickly.

After your process is complete, you go on the waiting list. The PHA will contact you when it is your turn for an interview — this can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. During the interview, a PHA staff member will verify the information on your process, ask questions about your household, and explain how the program works. They will also run a background check and contact your previous landlords or housing providers.

If you pass the interview and background check, the PHA will issue you a voucher. This voucher is your authorization to search for an apartment on the private market. You then have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days, depending on your PHA) to find a landlord willing to accept Section 8. Once you find an apartment and the landlord agrees, the PHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing quality standards. If it passes, the PHA signs a lease with your landlord, and your rent payments begin.

Waiting list status and what to do if you move

After you submit your process, you are on the waiting list. Your position on that list depends on when you applied and, in some cases, on preferences your PHA uses (such as homelessness, disability, or being displaced by a disaster). You cannot move up the list by calling repeatedly or visiting in person.

If you move to a different address while you are waiting, you must notify your PHA when ready. If they cannot reach you when your name comes up, you may be removed from the list. Some PHAs allow you to transfer your process to a different PHA if you move to a different county, but this is not automatic — you have to request it and the new PHA has to accept the transfer.

Keep your contact information current with your PHA. If your phone number or address changes, call and update it. Some PHAs send notices by mail, and if mail reaches an old address, you may miss your interview.

Income limits and rent calculations

Each PHA sets income limits based on the area median income for your county. These limits vary by household size and change each year. Your income cannot exceed the limit set by your PHA, or you will not be found may be able to access. Contact your PHA to learn the current income limit for your household size.

If you are found may be able to access and receive a voucher, your rent is calculated as a percentage of your income — typically 30 percent. The PHA pays the landlord the difference between your portion and the full rent, up to a maximum amount called the payment standard. Payment standards vary by bedroom size and by PHA. If you find an apartment that rents for more than the payment standard, you can still rent it, but you will pay the difference out of pocket.

Special circumstances: homelessness, disability, and other situations

If you are currently homeless, some Pennsylvania PHAs give preference to homeless applicants, which can move you higher on the waiting list. You will need documentation of your homelessness — a letter from a shelter, a social service agency, or a healthcare provider stating that you lack permanent housing. Contact your PHA to ask whether they offer this preference and what documentation they need.

If you have a disability, you may be able to request reasonable accommodations during the process process — for example, an interview by phone instead of in person, or materials in large print or Braille. Tell your PHA about your accommodation needs when you explore.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, some PHAs allow you to explore under a different name or to move to the top of the waiting list. Ask your PHA about their domestic violence policy and what documentation you need to provide.

What disqualifies you from Section 8

The PHA will deny your process if you do not meet income limits, if you cannot prove citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, or if you have certain criminal convictions. Convictions for drug manufacturing or distribution within the past year, or for violent felonies within the past three years, are automatic disqualifications under federal law. Some PHAs have additional disqualifying offenses — ask your PHA what their policy is.

If you have been evicted for non-payment of rent in the past, you may still be found may be able to access, but the PHA will look at the circumstances. If you owe money to a previous landlord or to a PHA, you may be required to pay it back before you can receive a voucher. If you have damaged a previous rental unit, the PHA may deny you based on that history.

If you are found ineligible, the PHA will send you a letter explaining why. You have the right to request a hearing to dispute the decision. Ask your PHA how to request a hearing and what the important date is.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get Section 8 after I explore?

The time from process to receiving a voucher varies widely by PHA. Some PHAs have waiting lists of several years; others may call you within months. After you receive a voucher, you typically have 60 to 120 days to find an apartment. The entire process from process to moving into an apartment can take anywhere from six months to several years.

Can I explore to more than one PHA at the same time?

Yes. If you live near the border of two counties or are planning to move, you can explore to multiple PHAs. Each PHA maintains its own waiting list, and you can be on more than one. However, once you receive a voucher from one PHA, you must notify the others that you are no longer interested, as accepting a voucher from multiple PHAs is not permitted.

What if my PHA's waiting list is closed?

If the waiting list is closed, you cannot explore at that time. Ask the PHA when they expect to reopen the list and whether you can request notification. Some PHAs reopen their lists annually; others may not open for years. You can also ask whether there are other housing programs in your area that might help while you wait.

Do I have to live in Pennsylvania to explore?

No. You must explore to the PHA that covers the area where you plan to live. If you are moving to Pennsylvania from another state, contact the PHA in the county where you will be living and ask about their process process. Some PHAs require you to already live in their jurisdiction; others allow out-of-state applicants.

What happens if I get a job and my income goes over the limit?

If you are already receiving Section 8 and your income increases, you do not lose your voucher when ready. Federal law allows you to stay in the program for a set period (usually one year) even if your income exceeds the limit. After that period, your case will be reviewed. The PHA will explain your options at that time, which may include paying a higher share of rent or leaving the program.