Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the federal government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. As of March 13, 2020, Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public. Most offices are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response. To find your local PHA's contact info, browse by state here.
An extensive list of coronavirus resources for low-income households can be found here.
Mercer County Housing Authority
Mercer County Housing Authority is a Public Housing Agency that participates in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), and Public Housing programs. As of July 11th, 2020, Mercer County Housing Authority has 1 waiting lists that are open now or opening soon.
The Public Housing Waiting List is open indefinitely.
Mercer County Housing Authority serves Mercer County.
Waiting List Statuses
| Waiting List | Status |
|---|
| Public Housing |
Open Until Further Notice |
| Housing Choice Voucher |
Unknown |
Open Mercer County Housing Authority Waiting Lists
Due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, some waiting list openings may be postponed until further notice. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, it may take days or weeks to get a response.
Mercer County Housing Authority Website: http://www.mercercountyhousingauthority.com/.
Mercer County Housing Authority Phone: (724) 342-4000.
Open Until Further Notice:
Public Housing Waiting List
Please Note: Due to the decentralized nature of affordable housing information, the information about this waiting list may be out of date.
How To Apply to the Public Housing Waiting List
The Mercer County Housing Authority (MCHA) Public Housing waiting list is currently open. Applications are being accepted since at least July, 2018, until further notice.
To apply during the opening period, download and print the application online here. Select the "Download an Application" link.
For more information, visit the MCHA website.
Reasonable Accommodation
Applicants who need help completing the application due to disability can make a reasonable accommodation request to the housing authority via (724) 342-4000.
Next Steps
Learn more about what happens after the application is submitted.
Last Updated on 08/28/2019.
Other Mercer County Housing Authority Waiting Lists
Unknown:
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List
How To Apply to the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List
As of August 26, 2019, the Mercer County Housing Authority (MHA) website states "The waitlist is currently open." Affordable Housing Online has reached out to the MHA and are currently waiting for confirmation in regards to this wait list.
Last Updated on 08/26/2019.
About Mercer County Housing Authority
More information about Mercer County Housing Authority can be found on its website at http://www.mercercountyhousingauthority.com/.
Representatives of Mercer County Housing Authority may be available by phone at (724) 342-4000. Unless otherwise noted above, applications will not be provided or accepted by phone.
About the Mercer County Housing Authority Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
As of the HUDs most recent Voucher Management System report, Mercer County Housing Authority manages 358 active Housing Choice Vouchers.
The following is a summary of the types of vouchers managed and the monthly costs of each as of December 31st, 2019:
|
Standard | Tenant Protection | Ported Out |
| Vouchers |
346 | 4 | 4 |
| Monthly Cost Per Voucher |
$363 | $280 | $784 |
| Monthly Cost |
$125,530 | $1,119 | $3,136 |
Household Characteristics of Voucher Holders for Mercer County Housing Authority
Waiting List and Tenancy
According to the 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households database, the housing authority's voucher program has an annual turnover of 23% having issued approximately 16 vouchers in the past year. The average voucher holder has received housing benefits for 6 years and 8 months. According to the 2016 PSH database, persons who were issued a voucher in the preceding 12 months waited an average of 33 months on the waiting list1.
Income Characteristics
According to 2016 Q4 Picture of Subsidized Households data, the average voucher household contains 2.2 persons and has a household income of $12,388 per year. 96% of households were very low income (VLI) and 66% were extremely low income (ELI). 21% of households had wages as a major source of income, 4% of households had welfare (TANF, General Assistance or Public Assistance) as their primary source of income, and 69% of households had other income (Social Security, Disability or Pension) as their major source of income.
Heads of Household Characteristics
2% of households were headed by a person 24 years old or less, 55% were headed by a person 25 to 49 years old, 24% were headed by a person 51 to 60 years old, and 19% were headed by a person 62 years old or older. In addition, 1% of households were headed by a person 85 years old or older.
45% of households included children, 4% of which had two adults in the household. 42% of households with children have a female head of household. 85% of all households were headed by a female.
46% of all voucher households were headed by minorities with 44% of all heads of households being Black and -1% being Hispanic.
Of all households participating in the Mercer County Housing Authority Housing Choice Voucher program, 27% include at least one person with a disability. 50% of households with a head of household 61 years or less were headed by a person with a disability. 60% of households headed by someone 62 or older were headed by a person with a disability.
Bedroom Size and Overhousing
26% of voucher holders reside in a home with zero or 1 bedroom, 34% with 2 bedrooms and 40% with 3 or more bedrooms. 29% of voucher recipients are considered overhoused, meaning they occupy a rental unit larger than their family size requires.
Rent, Assistance, and Utility Allowances
The average monthly tenant contribution to rent by Mercer County Housing Authority voucher holders in 2016 was $301 and the average monthly HUD expenditure per voucher holder was $451. The average utility allowance across all voucher recipients is $155.
1. This Picture of Subsidized Households data field is the average wait time of those who received a voucher in the preceding 12 months. Due to special voucher programs like VASH, recent waiting list purges, or waiting list preferences the average wait time can vary significantly from one year to the next and it is entirely possible many current applicants on the waiting list have been waiting for assistance for far longer.
Public Housing Apartments Operated by Mercer County Housing Authority
800 Linden St
Sharon, Pennsylvania
325 Columbia St
Sharon, Pennsylvania
100 1st Ave
Sharon, Pennsylvania
909 Market Ave
Farrell, Pennsylvania
112 Wallis Ave
Farrell, Pennsylvania
320 Wallis Ave
Farrell, Pennsylvania
Low Income Housing Managed by Mercer County Housing Authority
348 W Butler St
Mercer, Pennsylvania
