What Chester Housing Authority does and how to reach them

Chester Housing Authority (CHA) is the local public housing agency for Chester, Pennsylvania. They manage public housing units, administer the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8), and run other affordable housing programs for Chester residents. If you need public housing, a voucher to rent privately, or information about affordable housing in Chester, CHA is the office that handles those programs.

You can reach Chester Housing Authority at their main office located at 1500 West 9th Street, Chester, PA 19013. Their phone number is (610) 876-5300. They are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours. You can also visit in person to ask questions, request program information, or submit documents.

Before you contact them, know what you are looking for: public housing (where CHA owns the building), a Section 8 voucher (where you find your own rental and the program helps pay), or information about waiting lists and current openings. Having this clear will help the staff direct you to the right department faster.

Key Takeaways

  • Chester Housing Authority's main office is at 1500 West 9th Street, Chester, PA 19013, and you can reach them by phone at (610) 876-5300 during business hours.
  • CHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers, so the program you need determines which department will handle your request.
  • Waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers may be closed or open depending on current demand, and CHA can tell you the status when you call.
  • You will need proof of income, citizenship or may be able to access immigration status, and a valid ID to move forward with any CHA program.
  • If you cannot reach CHA by phone, visiting the office in person is often faster and lets you ask follow-up questions when ready.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers: which program applies to you

Chester Housing Authority runs two main programs, and they work differently. Public housing means CHA owns the building you live in. You pay rent based on your income (usually 30 percent of what you earn), and CHA covers the rest. Section 8 vouchers mean you find your own apartment in the private market, and the program pays your landlord a portion of the rent while you pay the rest.

Public housing is faster to move into once you are approved, because CHA controls the units and can place you quickly. Section 8 takes longer because you have to find a landlord willing to accept the voucher, and that can take weeks or months. Public housing also means your rent stays low no matter what happens to your income, but you live in a CHA building. Section 8 gives you more choice of where to live, but you are responsible for finding the place and the landlord has to agree.

Both programs have waiting lists. CHA can tell you whether each list is open, how long the wait typically is, and whether you meet the basic requirements. Call (610) 876-5300 and ask which program fits your situation, or visit the office to speak with someone in person.

What documents you need to bring

CHA will ask for proof of several things before you can move forward. You will need a valid photo ID (driver's license, passport, or state ID), proof of income for the last 30 days (pay stubs, benefit letters, or tax returns), and proof of citizenship or may be able to access immigration status (birth certificate, passport, green card, or work permit). If you are explore as a family, bring IDs and birth certificates for everyone in the household.

You will also need to show proof of any assets you own — bank statements, investment accounts, or property deeds — because CHA counts assets when determining your rent. Bring documentation of any child support, alimony, or other court-ordered payments you receive or owe. If you have a disability and need reasonable accommodations, bring medical documentation or a letter from your doctor explaining what you need.

Bring originals or certified copies when possible. CHA staff can make copies for you, but having the documents in hand speeds up the process. If you are missing something, ask what you can provide instead — CHA may accept a letter from your employer or a bank statement in place of a formal document.

Understanding waiting lists and how long approval takes

Both public housing and Section 8 have waiting lists in Chester. The length of the wait depends on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available. CHA prioritizes certain groups — people experiencing homelessness, those with disabilities, and families with children — so your position on the list is not strictly first-come, first-served.

Once you are on the waiting list, CHA will contact you when a unit or voucher is available. For public housing, approval and move-in can happen within weeks if a unit is ready. For Section 8, you get the voucher and then have a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment and have the landlord approved. If you do not find a place in that window, you may lose the voucher.

Call CHA to ask where the waiting list stands right now. They can tell you whether the list is open, closed, or moving quickly. If the list is closed, ask when it might reopen or whether there are other programs you could look into in the meantime.

What happens after you are approved

For public housing, CHA will show you available units and help you choose one that fits your family size and needs. You sign a lease with CHA, pay your portion of the rent (based on your income), and move in. CHA handles maintenance and repairs — if something breaks, you call the maintenance line and they fix it. You are responsible for keeping the unit clean and following lease rules.

For Section 8, you get a voucher and a packet of information about how the program works. You then search for an apartment on your own. Once you find a place, the landlord has to agree to accept the voucher. CHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards, and if it passes, they sign a contract with the landlord. You move in and pay your share of rent each month; CHA pays the landlord directly.

Both programs require you to report changes in your income, family size, or address. If you do not report changes, you could lose your housing or voucher. CHA will tell you how often you need to recertify your income and what happens if circumstances change.

If you have questions about your process or status

If you have submitted an process and want to know where you stand, call (610) 876-5300 and ask to speak with someone in the intake or waiting list department. Have your process number or name ready. They can tell you whether your process was received, whether you are missing any documents, and roughly where you are on the waiting list.

If you were denied, CHA must give you a written reason. You have the right to request a hearing to appeal the decision. The denial letter will explain how to request a hearing and what important date you have to do so. If you do not understand the reason, call and ask for clarification — staff can often explain what documents or information would help your case.

If you are having trouble reaching CHA by phone, visiting the office in person is usually faster. Bring any documents related to your process so staff can look up your file while you are there.

Other housing resources in Chester if CHA waiting lists are closed

If Chester Housing Authority's waiting lists are closed or the wait is very long, other organizations in Chester and Delaware County offer affordable housing help. Community Action Agency of Delaware County runs programs for low-income renters and homeowners. Catholic Social Services and other nonprofits help people find affordable housing and may have shorter waiting lists or different requirements than CHA.

You can also contact 211 Pennsylvania (dial 2-1-1 or visit 211pa.org) to find local housing resources, emergency rental help, and other programs you might be able to use while waiting for CHA. Some programs help with deposits, first month's rent, or emergency housing if you are at risk of losing your place.

Ask CHA staff directly whether they know of other programs currently accepting people. They work with other agencies and can point you toward options that might move faster or have different rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I make too much money for Chester Housing Authority?

CHA sets income limits based on family size and updates them yearly. Call (610) 876-5300 and tell them your household size and approximate income — they can tell you in minutes whether you are within the limit. Income limits are usually around 50 to 80 percent of the area median income, but the exact number changes each year.

Can I explore for both public housing and Section 8 at the same time?

Yes. You can be on both waiting lists. If you get offered public housing first, you can accept it and ask to be removed from the Section 8 list, or stay on both lists in case circumstances change. Ask CHA how their system handles dual applications so you understand what happens if both become available.

What if I have a criminal record or eviction history?

CHA reviews criminal and eviction history but does not automatically deny you. They look at how recent it was, what the offense was, and whether you have shown change since then. Call and ask whether your specific situation would likely disqualify you, or visit in person to discuss it with a staff member who can review your case.

Do I have to live in Chester to use Chester Housing Authority?

You must live or work in Chester to be served by CHA. If you live outside Chester, you would explore to your own city or county's housing authority instead. Ask CHA which authority covers your area if you are unsure.

What if my landlord will not accept my Section 8 voucher?

Landlords cannot legally refuse a Section 8 voucher just because it is a voucher, but they can refuse for other reasons (credit, income, references). If you believe you were discriminated against because of the voucher, report it to CHA or to the Fair Housing Center of the Greater Philadelphia Region. CHA can also help you understand what landlords are looking for and how to strengthen your process.