Public Housing and Subsidized Housing

This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about Public Housing and Subsidized Housing issues in Pennsylvania.

Public Housing & Subsidized Housing

Public Housing and Subsidized Housing are government programs which provide decent and affordable homes to people of lower incomes. These programs provide housing, help pay rent, or provide low cost mortgage loans to buy or repair a home.

What is public housing?

Public housing is housing owned and run by a government body such as a local Housing Authority. To be eligible to live in public housing, you must have low income and meet certain other requirements. Your rent and utilities are generally lower than in private housing. In most cases, rent in public housing will be no more than 30 percent of your adjusted gross income.

What is subsidized housing?

Housing is subsidized when the government pays part of the tenant's rent or mortgage. To get subsidized housing, you must have a low or moderate income. Under the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Section 8 Program and the Rural Economic and Community Development (formerly FmHA) Rental Assistance Program, part of the rent of qualifying lower income people is paid by the government.

Under these programs, tenants usually pay no more than 40 percent of their adjusted gross income. There are two distinct programs-tenant-based section 8 vouchers and project-based section 8 vouchers. Unfortunately, the number of people needing these two programs is far greater than federal funding for the programs.

In rural areas, there are additional housing opportunities for lower income persons. As a rural resident you may qualify for very low interest rate mortgages to purchase or repair a home. Contact your local county housing authority for further information.

How can I get into public or subsidized housing?

There are usually waiting lists to get a Section 8 voucher or to get into public or subsidized housing. You may be entitled to preference on the waiting list for such things as

• living in substandard housing;
• paying more than 50 percent of your income for rent;
• being homeless or involuntarily displaced; or
• having earned income.

Check with your local Housing Authority to find out the policy in your area.

If you are denied admission to public or subsidized housing, you have a right to get a written notice that tells you the reasons. You also have the right to ask for a meeting, or in some cases an informal administrative hearing, to discuss why your application was denied and to attempt to get the denial reversed.

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