Open Low Income Housing Waiting List in Pennsylvania
Find applications for 9 open low-income apartment waiting lists in Pennsylvania. Get the information needed to apply for HUD rental housing that can’t be found anywhere else.
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Pennsylvania Housing Authorities
1260 Housing Development Corporation
1260 Housing Development Corporation serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreAllegheny County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Prospect Terrace and Sheldon Park | Closed |
Multiple Properties | Open Until Further Notice |
Allegheny County Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationAllentown Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Central Park, Towers East, Gross Towers, 700 Building, Walnut Manor and Senior Scattered Sites | Closed |
Allentown Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreAltoona Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Fairview Hills Apartments | Open Until Further Notice |
Altoona Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBerks County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Brooke Estates, Jefferson Heights, Richard Delp Townhomes, and Cacoosing Meadows | Closed |
Chestnut Court Apartments, Laurel Court Apartments, Northvale Hill Apartments, Rittenhouse Apartments, and Warwick Apartments | Closed |
Tarsus Manor Senior Housing | Open Until Further Notice |
Berks County Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationBethlehem Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
High Rise Buildings | Closed |
Bethlehem Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreBlair County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Blair County Housing and Redevelopment Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Blair County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationBradford County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Twin Spruce Tioga County Family | Closed |
Canton Townhouses, Bradford County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Wapiti Apartments, Tioga County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Tabor Townhouses, Tioga County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Lawrenceville Family Apartments, Tioga County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Nelson Family, Tioga County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Hillview Apartments, Tioga County Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Twin Spruce Apartments, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Park Place Apartments, Bradford County | Open Until Further Notice |
Pinnacle Towers, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Sherwood Manor, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Forestview Manor, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Keystone Manor, Bradford County | Open Until Further Notice |
McCallum Manor, Bradford County | Open Until Further Notice |
Lawrenceville Elderly Apartments, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Page Manor, Bradford County | Open Until Further Notice |
Park Hill Manor, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Riverside Manor, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
Nelson Elderly Apartments, Tioga County | Open Until Further Notice |
View all 19 Bradford County Housing Authority Waiting Lists. |
Bradford County Housing Authority is accepting applications for 18 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsBucks County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Venice Ashby Phase II Family | Closed |
Venice Ashby Phase I Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Sellersville Heights | Open Until Further Notice |
Grundy Tower, Grundy Gardens, MacIntosh Regency and Bensalem Woods Conventional | Open Until Further Notice |
Grundy Hall and Grundy House | Open Until Further Notice |
Bucks County Housing Authority is accepting applications for 4 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsCarbon County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Carbon County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Carbon County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCarbondale Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Carbondale, Pennsylvania | Open Until Further Notice |
Carbondale Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCentre County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Centre County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Centre County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationChester Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Chester Housing Authority | Closed |
Chester Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreCity of Pittston Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
City of Pittston Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
City of Pittston Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCity of Shamokin Housing Authority
City of Shamokin Housing Authority serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreClarion County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Medardo Estates and Penn Court Apartments, 2 and 3-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Hillside Apartments, 2-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Cherry Run | Open Until Further Notice |
Edenburg Court | Open Until Further Notice |
Clarion County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationClearfield County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
1, 2, 3, and 4-Bedroom | Closed |
Clearfield County Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreClinton County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Clinton County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Clinton County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationColumbia County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Town Park Village Family | Closed |
Evan Owen Memorial Apartments Elderly or Non-Elderly Disabled | Open Until Further Notice |
Columbia County Housing Authority is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationConnellsville Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Connellsville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Connellsville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationCounty of Potter Housing Authority
County of Potter Housing Authority serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreCumberland County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Cumberland County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Cumberland County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDelaware County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Delaware County, Pennsylvania | Open Until Further Notice |
Delaware County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationDuBois Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
DuBois Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
DuBois Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFayette County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Fayette County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Fayette County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationFranklin County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Franklin County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Franklin County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationGreene County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Greene County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Greene County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHarrisburg Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Harrisburg Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Harrisburg Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHazleton Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Vine West Family Units | Closed |
2, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Closed |
Hazleton Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreHousing Auth of the County of Northumberland
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Auth of the County of Northumberland | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Auth of the County of Northumberland is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of Indiana County
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of Indiana County | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of Indiana County is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of Luzerne County
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of Luzerne County | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of Luzerne County is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of Monroe County
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of Monroe County | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of Monroe County is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Corry
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the City of Corry | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of Corry is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Erie
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the City of Erie | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of Erie is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Franklin
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the City of Franklin | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of Franklin is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Meadville
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the City of Meadville | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of Meadville is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Millione's Manor Apartments, 1-Bedroom, | Closed |
Allegheny Union Baptist Association, 1 and 2-Bedroom, | Closed |
Miller Street Apartments, 1 and 2-Bedroom, | Closed |
Crawford Square Apartments, 1, 2, and 3-Bedroom, | Closed |
East Liberty Place South, 1 and 2-Bedroom, | Closed |
Kelly Hamilton Homes, Lofts at Bentley, Middle Hill Homes and Elmer Williams Square | Closed |
Cornerstone Village | Closed |
Mellon’s Orchard | Closed |
Cornerstone Village, 4-Bedroom | Closed |
Cornerstone Village Phase IV | Closed |
Harvard Beatty Housing, Skyline Terrace, New Granada Square, The Carina | Closed |
Gladstone Residences, 1 and 2-Bedroom | Closed |
Multiple Properties | Closed |
Legacy Apartments, 1-Bedroom, | Closed |
Lemington Senior Housing | Closed |
Hillcrest Senior Residences | Closed |
Cedarwood Homes, 1-Bedroom | Closed |
Sycamore Street Apartments, 1-Bedroom | Closed |
Homewood North, 3, 4 and 6-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Northview Heights and Scattered Sites, 3, 4 and 5-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Multiple Properties | Open Until Further Notice |
Multiple Properties | Open Until Further Notice |
View all 22 Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh Waiting Lists. |
Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh is accepting applications for 4 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsHousing Authority of the City of York
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
York Family Residences | Closed |
George Street Commons | Closed |
Homes at Thackston Park 2, 3, and 4-Bedroom | Closed |
New Freedom Apartments | Closed |
Homes at Thackston Park 1 and 5-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Family | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the City of York | Open Until Further Notice |
View all 7 Housing Authority of the City of York Waiting Lists. |
Housing Authority of the City of York is accepting applications for 3 waiting lists now.
Get The ApplicationsHousing Authority of the County of Armstrong
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Armstrong | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Armstrong is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Beaver
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Beaver | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Beaver is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Bedford
Housing Authority of the County of Bedford serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the County of Butler
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Butler | Open Until Further Notice |
Franklin Court Apartments | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Butler is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Chester
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Chester | Closed |
Housing Authority of the County of Chester | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Chester is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Dauphin
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Northern Dauphin, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Closed |
Near Elderly and | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin is accepting applications for a waiting list now.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Elk
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Elk | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Elk is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Erie
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Marvin J Schick, Corry Elderly, Corry Family, Gerald S. Salisbury and College View Manor | Open Until Further Notice |
Barnett Building | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Erie is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Jefferson
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Jefferson | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Jefferson is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Lackawanna
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Jessup | Closed |
Closed |
Housing Authority of the County of Lackawanna is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the County of Lawrence
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Housing Authority of the County of Lawrence | Open Until Further Notice |
Housing Authority of the County of Lawrence is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationHousing Authority of the County of Union
Housing Authority of the County of Union serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreHousing Authority of the County of Warren
Housing Authority of the County of Warren serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreHuntingdon County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Huntingdon County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Huntingdon County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationJohnstown Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Johnstown Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Johnstown Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLancaster City Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Studio and 1-Bedroom | Closed |
5-Bedroom | Closed |
Lancaster City Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreLancaster County Housing Authority
Lancaster County Housing Authority serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreLebanon County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Lebanon County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lebanon County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLehigh County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Lehigh County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lehigh County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationLycoming Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Lycoming Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lycoming Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lycoming Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMcKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
McKean County Redevelopment and Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMcKeesport Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
McKeesport Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
McKeesport Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMercer County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Mercer County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Lavigne Manor Elderly | Open Until Further Notice |
Mercer County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationMontgomery County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Bright Hope Community, Crest Manor, North Hills Manor, General Occupancy | Open Until Further Notice |
Robert P. Smith Towers, Marshall W. Lee Towers, Sidney Pollock House, and Golden Age Manor | Open Until Further Notice |
Montgomery County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationNorthampton County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Goepp Street Apartments, Low Income Housing Tax Credit | Open Until Further Notice |
Northampton County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationPhiladelphia Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Philadelphia Housing Authority | Closed |
Philadelphia Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MorePottsville Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Pottsville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Pottsville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationReading Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Glenside and Oakbrook Homes | Closed |
Rhodes, Eisenhower, Hubert Apartments, Kennedy, Franklin Towers and Hensler Homes | Closed |
Rhodes, Eisenhower, Hubert Apartments, Kennedy, Franklin Towers and Hensler Homes | Closed |
Reading Housing Authority is not accepting applications for any waiting lists now, and the waiting lists are not scheduled to open anytime soon. However, Public Housing Agencies offer more programs than the Section 8 and Public Housing Programs.
Learn MoreSchuylkill County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Schuylkill County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Schuylkill County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSnyder County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Shade View Apartments, 1, 2, 3 and 4-Bedroom | Open Until Further Notice |
Snyder County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Snyder County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSomerset County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Somerset County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Somerset County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSunbury Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Sunbury Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Sunbury Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationSusquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Susquehanna County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationThe Housing Auth of the City of Nanticoke
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
The Housing Auth of the City of Nanticoke | Open Until Further Notice |
The Housing Auth of the City of Nanticoke is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationThe Housing Authority of Montour County
The Housing Authority of Montour County serves Pennsylvania.
Learn MoreThe Wyoming County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
The Wyoming County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities | Open Until Further Notice |
The Wyoming County Housing and Redevelopment Authorities is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationTitusville Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Titusville Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Titusville Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWashington County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Washington County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Washington County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWestmoreland County Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Westmoreland County Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Westmoreland County Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationWilkes-Barre Housing Authority
Waiting List | Status |
---|---|
Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority | Open Until Further Notice |
Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority is accepting applications for each waiting list.
Get The ApplicationAre Public Housing Waiting Lists Open in Pennsylvania?
As of November 11, 2024, AHO is tracking 9 Public Housing waiting lists open right now.
AHO encourages you to apply continuously to open waiting lists as soon as possible. These waiting lists may close without sufficient notice.
How many Public Housing waiting lists were open in Pennsylvania in the last few years?
During the last three years, there were 141 Public Housing waiting lists open for at least a day in Pennsylvania.
How long were Public Housing waiting lists kept open in Pennsylvania in the last few years?
Public Housing waiting lists in Pennsylvania were kept open an average of 793 days over the last three years.
Many waiting lists were kept open only a short time. In the last three years, 9.9% were open seven days or less and 2.1% were open for only one day (or a few hours) . This means that it is important for low-income renters to apply right away when they find an open waiting list.
How hard is it to get a Public Housing unit if I don't currently live in the area the housing authority serves?
Some housing authorities have a preference for local residents in their waiting list placement. If you live outside the area you can get on the waiting list, but you will likely wait a long time before a unit becomes available, if at all.
Over the last three years, 33.3% of Public Housing waiting lists in Pennsylvania that opened had a preference for local residents.
To what extent do housing authorities in Pennsylvania increase access with online applications?
Online applications make it easier for low-income renters to apply for open waiting lists, especially when applying to different communities or when waiting lists are only kept open a short time.
Online applications were used for 53.9% of waiting list applications in in Pennsylvania over the last three years.
How fair is waiting list placement in Pennsylvania?
Random lotteries were used by 4.3% of housing authorities in Pennsylvania to place applicants on their waiting lists over the last three years.
Applicants placed at the bottom of a waiting list may wait up to two or three years before being offered a voucher. Placing applicants on a waiting list using a random lottery gives everyone a fair chance to be near the top of the list.
Many housing authorities place applicants according to the date and time of their submission. Applicants who apply later will have a long wait for assistance, which is especially unfair in cases where waiting lists are kept open just few days or less.
How long do households spend on a Public Housing waiting list in Pennsylvania before being offered a unit?
Households spend an average of 16 months on a waiting list before a unit becomes available for them in Pennsylvania.
Who is served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Pennsylvania?
Public Housing households served by housing authorities in Pennsylvania include:
- 40% headed by seniors
- 28% with a person with a disability
- 31% with children
- 24% where the majority of household income comes from wages earned
What is the income level of households served by Public Housing programs offered through housing authorities in Pennsylvania?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals, with "low-income" usually defined as income at or below 80% of the median income (80% AMI) for the county or metropolitan area in which the Public Housing units are located. However, most housing authority Public Housing programs serve households with much lower incomes.
A 50% AMI household is considered very low-income (VLI) and a 30% AMI household is considered extremely low-income (ELI). ELI households are a subset of the VLI households served by a housing authority.
In Public Housing programs of housing authorities in Pennsylvania, VLI households make up 91% of voucher-holding households.
ELI households make up 73% of voucher-holding households.
What is a low-income apartment?
A low-income apartment has a federal, state, or local government housing program that makes rent affordable for those who are in need of housing assistance.
These apartments may have rental assistance that allows tenants to pay a portion of their income for rent, or pay a fixed rent amount that is affordable to renters.
Are there different types of housing assistance for low-income apartments?
Yes, there are many different types of housing assistance programs for low-income apartments. Some housing programs, such as Public Housing, allow tenants to pay a portion of their income for rent. Others, like the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program, provide fixed rents that are affordable to many renters.
The most common housing programs for low-income apartments include:
- Public Housing
- Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance
- Section 8 Project-Based Voucher
- RAD Project-Based Voucher
- Low-Income Housing Tax Credit
- Section 202 Supportive Housing For The Elderly
- Section 811 Supportive Housing For Persons With Disabilities
- Section 515 Rural Rental Housing
- Section 521 USDA Rental Assistance
Why is there a waiting list for low-income apartments?
There is a higher demand for low-income apartments than available units, so housing agencies have waiting lists. Building a waiting list allows the agency to quickly fill units that are no longer being occupied.
Who can apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?
To apply for a low-income apartment waiting list, the head of the household must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. citizen or an eligible immigrant. If the head of household cannot submit an application, another person can submit one on their behalf.
There are many qualifications to get a low-income apartment, including income, housing, and criminal history. But those requirements do not prevent a person from applying for an open waiting list.
What is needed to apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?
To apply for a low-income apartment waiting list, renters must usually provide their first and last name, date of birth, Social Security Number or Alien ID, and the total gross income of all household members (with exceptions).
Applications may ask for additional information, including housing history, criminal history, proof of income, and preference verification. Applicants may also be asked for demographic information, like gender, disability status, or race and ethnicity.
When can I apply for a low-income apartment?
Applications for a low-income apartment can only be submitted when the housing agency opens the waiting list.
Waiting lists in many areas are kept open indefinitely, but there are also apartments with waiting lists that are only open for certain periods. Depending on the area, if a waiting list is closed, it may not reopen for many months or years.
How do I apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?
When a low-income apartment waiting list is open, there can be a number of different ways to submit an application. In most cases, applications are available online, in person, by mail, or a variety of these options.
Contact the agency that manages the apartment to find out how to submit an application.
Where can I apply for a low-income apartment waiting list?
Renters can apply to most open low-income apartment waiting lists in the country. You do not have to live in the area to apply to most waiting lists, but there are some with restrictions. There are also some apartments with a housing program that is restricted for certain populations. If the apartment or waiting list is restricted, it means that the housing agency is targeting a specific demographic (such as elderly applicants), and documentation or a reference may be required to apply.
However, even if a waiting list is available to the general public, applicants who do not live in the area should check if there are preferences. Preferences give qualified applicants priority placement on the waiting list. And one of the most common preferences is for local residents. This means that non-local applicants may have a very long wait for a voucher, or may not get a voucher at all because of the local demand.
Can I apply for multiple low-income apartment waiting lists?
Yes, renters can apply for multiple low-income apartment waiting lists. There is no limit to how many waiting lists a household may be on.
But, it's usually not allowed to submit multiple applications for the same waiting list. If more than one application is submitted for the same waiting list, the household risks getting disqualified.
Is there an application fee for low-income apartment waiting lists?
Unlike Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, there are many low-income apartment waiting lists that charge a fee to apply. This depends on type of housing assistance for the apartment.
It is against HUD policy for a housing authority to charge an application fee for Public Housing or Section 8 apartments (including Project Based rental Assistance and Project Based Vouchers). If anyone is charging a fee for an application to these apartment types, they are either violating federal law, or a scammer.
But there may be an application fee for apartments with other housing programs.
How long is a waiting list for a low-income apartment?
After being placed on a low-income apartment waiting list, the wait may be anywhere between weeks, months, or even years.
There is no typical wait time for an apartment, but waiting lists are usually shorter than those for a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher. The amount of time spent on a waiting list depends on many factors, including how many preferences are met, and the location of rental assistance. An applicant in one area of the country may wait for months, while someone in another area is awaiting for years.
Is there any way to get priority placement on a low-income apartment waiting list?
Yes, many housing agencies use preferences to give a priority to applicants who are part of groups in the area that are in great need of assistance.
Common preference categories for low-income apartment waiting lists include seniors, persons with disabilities, and those who live and work locally. Applicants who qualify for preferences will have a shorter wait time than those who don't.
How can I get more information about a low-income apartment waiting list?
The easiest way to get more information about many low-income apartment waiting lists is to contact the property manager directly. Most managers can be reached by phone, email, or both methods of communication.
Many housing agencies have websites, but not all sites have in-depth details about their apartments. So, contacting the agency directly is usually the most effective way to find out if a waiting list is open, how to apply, and other important apartment requirements.
How does a waiting list for low-income apartments work?
Renters must first submit an application to a housing agency with an open waiting list for a low-income apartment. If a apartment's waiting list is not currently open, applications cannot be submitted.
After applying and getting qualified for the waiting list, the household will be added to the list. Waiting lists that are open indefinitely are almost always sorted by date and time the application is received. If the waiting list for a low-income apartment is only open for a specific period of time, it may be sorted by either random lottery, or date and time.
If the household is selected for the waiting list, the housing agency will send confirmation. Be aware that some waiting lists have preferences (such as elderly or local applicants), and qualified households are given priority placement over others.
After getting placed on a waiting list, prepare to wait for some time. Waiting lists for low-income apartments are usually shorter than those for the Section 8 HCV program, but applicants may still wait weeks, months, or years, depending on the area.
Once the household reaches the top of the waiting list, an eligibility interview will be held to make sure that everyone is qualified. If the household does not meet the qualifications, they can continue applying to other open waiting lists for a chance to get a low-income apartment.