What the Harrisburg Housing Authority does

The Harrisburg Housing Authority (HHA) is a public agency that owns and manages rental housing in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and administers the Section 8 voucher program for the city and surrounding areas. It does not build or finance homes for purchase — it rents apartments to low-income households and helps tenants pay rent through federal subsidies. If you live in Harrisburg and need affordable rental housing, or if you already rent and want to reduce what you pay, the HHA is the body that runs both programs.

The agency operates public housing developments (apartments it owns directly) and manages Section 8, which is a voucher program that lets you rent from a private landlord while the HHA pays part of your rent. The two are separate paths with different waiting lists, different income limits, and different process processes.

Key Takeaways

  • The Harrisburg Housing Authority runs two separate programs: public housing (apartments it owns) and Section 8 vouchers (rent subsidies you use with a private landlord).
  • Both programs have waiting lists, and both require your household income to fall below a set limit that changes each year.
  • You contact the HHA directly to learn about current openings, waiting list status, and what documents you will need to bring.
  • Section 8 typically takes longer to process than public housing, and both programs may have closed waiting lists depending on demand.
  • The HHA office is located in Harrisburg, and you can reach them by phone or in person to ask about your options.

Public housing managed by the Harrisburg Housing Authority

Public housing means apartments owned and operated by the HHA itself. You pay rent directly to the HHA, and your rent is set at 30 percent of your household's adjusted gross income — so the lower your income, the lower your rent. The HHA covers the rest of the cost through federal funding.

To live in HHA public housing, your household income must be at or below 80 percent of the area median income for Harrisburg. That income limit changes each year and depends on your household size. The HHA will tell you the current limit when you contact them. You will also need to pass a background check and meet lease requirements, which typically include no history of drug-related criminal activity and no evictions in the past three years.

Public housing waiting lists in Harrisburg are often closed, meaning the HHA is not taking new applications because the list is already long. You can call or visit the HHA office to find out whether the list is open. If it is closed, ask when it might reopen — some agencies reopen their lists once a year or when units become available.

Section 8 vouchers and how they work

A Section 8 voucher is a rent subsidy that lets you choose your own apartment from a private landlord, as long as the landlord agrees to take Section 8 tenants and the apartment meets HHA standards. You find the apartment, the landlord agrees to rent to you, and the HHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent each month. You pay the difference — typically 30 percent of your income.

Section 8 income limits are the same as public housing (80 percent of area median income), but the waiting list is usually much longer and often closed. The HHA maintains a single waiting list for Section 8 vouchers, and processing can take months or years depending on how many people are ahead of you. When a voucher becomes available, the HHA contacts you and gives you a set amount of time to find an apartment and have the landlord sign the lease.

Once you have a voucher, you can use it to rent almost any apartment in the Harrisburg area, as long as the rent does not exceed the HHA's payment standard for that bedroom size and the unit passes an inspection. The landlord must be willing to participate in the program — not all landlords do.

How to contact the Harrisburg Housing Authority

The HHA office is located in Harrisburg and you can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about waiting list status, current openings, and what documents you need. You can also visit in person to pick up an process or ask questions face-to-face.

When you call or visit, have your household size and approximate income ready so the HHA can tell you whether you may be within the income limit. Ask specifically whether the waiting list you are interested in (public housing or Section 8) is open or closed. If it is closed, ask when it last reopened and whether there is a timeline for the next opening.

You will need to bring proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer), proof of identity, and proof of residency in the Harrisburg area. The HHA will give you a complete list of required documents when you explore.

Income limits and how they are calculated

Both public housing and Section 8 use the same income limits, which are set at 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Harrisburg. The HHA calculates your household income by adding up the gross income of all household members, including children and non-relatives living with you. Income includes wages, self-employment earnings, Social Security, disability benefits, unemployment, child support, and other regular payments.

The income limit changes each year and depends on your household size. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four. The HHA publishes the current year's limits, and you can ask for them when you contact the office. If your income is above the limit, you will not be able to join either program, but you may be able to reapply in the future if your income decreases.

Background checks and lease requirements

The HHA will run a criminal background check and check your rental history before approving you for either public housing or a Section 8 voucher. The agency looks for drug-related criminal convictions, violent felonies, and evictions. Having a criminal record does not automatically disqualify you, but certain convictions — particularly drug-related ones — will.

You must also have a clean rental history, which typically means no evictions in the past three years and no history of not paying rent. If you have an eviction on your record, the HHA may still consider you, but it will be a factor in the decision. If you have been homeless or are currently homeless, the HHA has programs and preferences that may help — ask about this when you explore.

Once you are approved and living in HHA housing (either public or Section 8), you must follow the lease, which includes keeping the unit in good condition, not disturbing neighbors, and reporting maintenance problems. Lease violations can result in eviction.

What happens after you are approved

If you are approved for public housing, the HHA will contact you when a unit becomes available and give you a move-in date. You will sign a lease and begin paying rent at 30 percent of your income. The HHA handles all maintenance and repairs.

If you are approved for a Section 8 voucher, the HHA will give you a voucher packet and a set amount of time (usually 60 to 120 days) to find an apartment. You search for apartments on your own, negotiate with the landlord, and once you have a lease signed, you submit it to the HHA for approval. The HHA inspects the unit, and if it passes, the lease is finalized and the subsidy begins.

In both cases, you will have an annual recertification appointment where the HHA verifies your income and household composition to make sure you still meet the program requirements. Your rent may change if your income changes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get approved for public housing or Section 8?

Public housing approval typically takes a few weeks to a few months, depending on how quickly you provide documents and how long the background check takes. Section 8 can take much longer — sometimes a year or more — because the waiting list is usually longer and the HHA processes applications in order. Once you are approved for Section 8, you then have 60 to 120 days to find an apartment.

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

Yes. The two programs have separate waiting lists and separate applications, so you can explore to both. If you are approved for public housing first, you can move in while waiting for a Section 8 voucher, or you can decline the public housing offer and wait for Section 8 if you prefer to choose your own apartment.

What if my income is above the limit?

You will not be able to join either program if your income exceeds 80 percent of the area median income. You can reapply in the future if your income decreases, or you can look into other affordable housing programs in Harrisburg that may have higher income limits.

Do I need a credit score or good credit to be approved?

The HHA does not check credit scores. It checks your rental history, criminal background, and income. A bad credit history will not disqualify you, but evictions or a history of not paying rent will.

Can I use my Section 8 voucher outside of Harrisburg?

Section 8 vouchers are portable, which means you can use them in other cities and states if you move. However, you must notify the HHA and the voucher will be transferred to the housing authority in your new location. The payment standard (the maximum rent the HHA will cover) may be different in a new area.