What the Lehigh County Housing Authority does

The Lehigh County Housing Authority (LCHA) is a public agency that manages affordable rental housing and rental information programs across Lehigh County, Pennsylvania. It does not build or own all the housing it oversees — instead, it administers federal funding, maintains a waitlist for public housing units, and runs the Section 8 voucher program that helps low-income residents pay rent at private landlord properties.

The Authority operates from offices in Allentown and serves residents throughout the county. If you are looking for affordable housing or rental help, LCHA is where you start, though the process and timeline depend on which program you need and current funding availability.

Key Takeaways

  • LCHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers, but both have long waitlists that can take months or years to reach.
  • You must meet income limits based on your household size, and LCHA will verify your income and background before approval.
  • Public housing is owned and managed by LCHA; Section 8 vouchers let you rent from private landlords while LCHA pays part of your rent.
  • You can contact LCHA directly by phone, mail, or in person to ask about current waitlist status and what documents you need.
  • Emergency rental help may be available through other county programs, so ask LCHA staff whether you should also look into those options.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers

LCHA operates two main programs, and they work differently. Public housing means LCHA owns the building and you rent directly from the Authority. You pay rent based on your income — typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income — and LCHA covers the rest of the operating costs. Public housing units are scattered throughout Lehigh County in various buildings and complexes.

Section 8 vouchers work the opposite way. You find a rental property on the private market, the landlord agrees to accept Section 8, and LCHA pays a portion of your rent directly to the landlord. You pay the difference. This gives you more choice in where you live, but you must find a landlord willing to participate, and the voucher amount is set by LCHA based on the local market rent for your area.

Both programs have income limits. For a single person, the limit is typically around 50 percent of the area median income; for larger households, it is higher. LCHA will ask for recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer to verify your income. If you are unemployed or receive benefits, you will need documentation of that income instead.

How to contact LCHA and what to expect

The Lehigh County Housing Authority's main office is located in Allentown. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about waitlist status, program requirements, and next steps. The staff can tell you whether a waitlist is currently open for new applicants or closed due to length.

If you decide to pursue housing through LCHA, you will need to provide proof of identity, proof of income, and permission for a background check. The Authority will also verify your rental history and may contact previous landlords. The entire process from first contact to approval typically takes several weeks to several months, depending on how quickly you gather documents and how busy the office is.

You can also visit the office in person to ask questions or pick up process materials. Having your documents ready — Social Security numbers for all household members, recent pay stubs or benefit letters, and a photo ID — speeds up the process.

Waitlists and how long they take

Both public housing and Section 8 have waitlists, and both can be long. The length varies depending on how many people are ahead of you and how many units or vouchers become available. In some cases, a waitlist may be closed entirely, meaning LCHA is not taking new applications until the current list moves down.

When you are on a waitlist, LCHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available. You are expected to respond within a set timeframe — usually a few days — or you may lose your place. If you move, change your phone number, or have a change in your household, you must notify LCHA so they can reach you.

Some people wait months; others wait years. The wait depends on local demand and how quickly units turn over. You can call LCHA periodically to ask about your position on the list, though they may not be able to give you an exact timeline.

Income limits and household size

LCHA uses federal income limits that change each year. These limits depend on your household size and are set at a percentage of the area median income for Lehigh County. A single person has a lower limit than a family of four, and the limits are higher for larger households.

If your income is above the limit, you do not meet the basic requirement for either program. If your income is below the limit, you move forward in the process. LCHA will ask for documentation — pay stubs from the last 30 days, a letter from your employer, tax returns, or proof of benefits like Social Security or unemployment.

If your income changes after you are approved, you must report it. Some programs allow you to stay if your income rises slightly, but others have rules about how much your rent can increase or whether you must leave the program.

Background checks and rental history

LCHA will run a background check as part of the approval process. This includes a criminal history check and a check of your rental history. If you have evictions on your record, unpaid rent, or criminal convictions, you may be denied. However, LCHA has some flexibility — they may overlook older issues or consider the circumstances.

You have the right to see what the background check says about you and to dispute any errors. If you are denied, LCHA must tell you why and give you a chance to respond or provide additional information.

If you have a history that concerns you, it is worth calling LCHA before you explore to ask whether you are likely to be approved. Being honest about your situation upfront can help you understand your options.

Other rental help in Lehigh County

LCHA is not the only source of rental help in the county. Lehigh County also runs emergency rental information programs funded by the state and federal government. These programs pay landlords directly for back rent or upcoming rent if you have experienced a recent hardship like job loss or illness.

Emergency information is faster than LCHA's regular programs — decisions can come in weeks rather than months — but it is temporary and does not put you on a path to permanent affordable housing. Ask LCHA staff whether you should also look into emergency programs while you wait for a Section 8 voucher or public housing unit.

Community action agencies and nonprofit organizations in Lehigh County also offer rental help, financial counseling, and information about other resources. LCHA staff can point you toward these organizations if you need when ready help.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get on the LCHA waitlist?

Contact LCHA by phone or visit their office in Allentown to ask whether the waitlist is open. If it is, they will give you an process and tell you what documents you need to bring. You will need proof of identity, proof of income, and permission to run a background check. Once you submit your process, you are placed on the list in the order applications were received.

Can I be on both the public housing and Section 8 waitlists at the same time?

Yes. You can explore for both programs simultaneously. Some people prefer one over the other, but being on both lists increases your chances of getting housing sooner. Let LCHA know if you have a preference, but explore for both is allowed.

What if I was denied by LCHA before?

You can ask LCHA why you were denied and whether circumstances have changed. If you were denied for income, criminal history, or eviction, you may be able to reapply later if your situation improves. Ask staff whether it makes sense to explore again and what you should do differently.

How much will I pay for rent in public housing or with a Section 8 voucher?

In public housing, you typically pay 30 percent of your gross monthly income as rent. With Section 8, you pay the difference between the voucher amount and the actual rent — usually 30 percent of your income as well, but it depends on the unit and the local market. LCHA can give you examples based on your income.

What happens if my income increases after I am approved?

Report any income change to LCHA right away. In public housing, your rent will likely increase. In Section 8, your voucher amount may stay the same, but your share of the rent could go up. Some programs have limits on how much your rent can increase or rules about when you must leave the program if your income gets too high.