What the Philadelphia Housing Authority does

The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) is the public agency that runs public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program (Section 8) in Philadelphia. It owns and manages about 13,000 public housing units across the city and administers roughly 20,000 vouchers that help people rent from private landlords. PHA is a separate entity from the city government, though it receives federal funding and operates under federal rules.

If you live in a PHA public housing building or hold a PHA voucher, PHA is your landlord or the agency that pays part of your rent to your private landlord. If you are looking for housing in Philadelphia and want to know whether you can get into public housing or receive a voucher, you need to understand how PHA's waiting lists work and what the income limits are.

Key Takeaways

  • PHA manages public housing units and Section 8 vouchers separately, and both have their own waiting lists with different timelines — public housing can take years, while voucher wait times vary.
  • Your household income must fall below a set limit to be considered, and PHA verifies income through tax returns, pay stubs, and other documents before you are admitted.
  • You can explore for public housing or a voucher through PHA's online portal or in person at their office, and you will receive a confirmation number that tracks your place on the waiting list.
  • Once you have a voucher or a public housing lease, you pay a portion of your rent based on your income, and PHA or the voucher program covers the rest up to a limit.
  • If you are already a PHA tenant or voucher holder and have a dispute with PHA, you have the right to a hearing before PHA can evict you or terminate your information.

Public housing versus Section 8 vouchers at PHA

PHA offers two main forms of housing information, and they work differently. Public housing means you live in a building that PHA owns. PHA sets the rent based on your income, typically 30 percent of your gross monthly income, with a minimum rent. You sign a lease with PHA, and PHA is your landlord. Maintenance, repairs, and building management are PHA's responsibility.

Section 8 vouchers (also called Housing Choice Vouchers) work the opposite way. You find your own apartment from a private landlord, and PHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference, usually 30 percent of your income. The landlord must agree to accept the voucher, and the unit must pass a PHA inspection. You sign a lease with the private landlord, not with PHA, though PHA remains involved in rent payments and lease enforcement.

Waiting lists for public housing and vouchers are separate. Public housing waiting lists in Philadelphia are typically closed or have very long wait times measured in years. Voucher waiting lists also have long waits, though they sometimes reopen. Check PHA's website or call their main office to learn the current status of each list.

Income limits and what PHA counts as income

To be considered for PHA housing or a voucher, your household's gross monthly income must be at or below 50 percent of the area median income (AMI) for Philadelphia. This limit changes each year. For example, a single person's limit might be around $1,700 to $1,900 per month, and a family of four might be around $2,700 to $3,100, but these figures vary annually and depend on family size. Contact PHA directly for the current year's limits, as they are updated every spring.

PHA counts most forms of income: wages from employment, self-employment income, Social Security, SSI, unemployment benefits, child support, alimony, and rental income. PHA does not count certain income, such as income of children under 18 in school full-time, some foster care payments, and some education grants. If you receive benefits from multiple sources, bring documentation for all of them when you explore.

PHA will ask for recent tax returns, pay stubs, bank statements, and letters from benefit programs to verify your income. If your income changes after you are admitted, you must report it to PHA, as it affects your rent calculation and may affect your continued may be able to access.

how the process works for PHA housing or a voucher

You can explore online through PHA's website or in person at the PHA office located at 2000 Hamilton Street, Philadelphia, PA 19130. Online applications are available when the waiting list is open. When you explore, you will need to provide your name, date of birth, Social Security number, current address, and contact information for all household members. You will also need to list your income sources and provide documentation.

After you submit your process, PHA will send you a confirmation number. Keep this number — it proves you applied and shows your place on the waiting list. PHA will contact you if your process is incomplete or if they need more information. Do not assume your process was received unless you have a confirmation number.

If the waiting list is closed, you cannot explore at that time. PHA announces when lists reopen through its website, local news, and community organizations. You can call PHA's main line to ask whether a list is currently open.

Rent calculation and what you pay each month

In both public housing and Section 8, your rent is based on your income. PHA calculates your portion as 30 percent of your gross monthly household income, though there is usually a minimum rent (often $50 to $100 per month, depending on PHA policy). If your income is very low, you may pay the minimum rather than 30 percent.

In public housing, you pay PHA directly each month. In Section 8, you pay your private landlord, and PHA pays the landlord the difference between your portion and the total rent, up to the voucher's payment standard for your area. If the landlord charges more than the payment standard, you pay the extra amount out of pocket.

If your income changes, you must report it to PHA within 30 days. PHA will recalculate your rent. If your income increases, your rent goes up. If your income decreases, your rent goes down. Keep PHA informed of job changes, loss of employment, or changes in benefits.

Your rights as a PHA tenant or voucher holder

PHA tenants and voucher holders have legal rights. In public housing, PHA cannot evict you without cause and without following the lease and giving you notice. Causes include non-payment of rent, lease violations, or criminal activity. PHA must give you written notice and an opportunity to cure (fix) the problem if it is curable, such as paying late rent.

If PHA wants to evict you, you have the right to a hearing before an impartial officer. You can present your side of the story, bring witnesses, and challenge PHA's claims. The hearing must happen before PHA can file for eviction in court. This is a critical protection — do not ignore a notice to vacate or a hearing notice.

Voucher holders also have rights. If PHA wants to terminate your voucher, it must give you written notice and a reason. You have the right to a hearing. Reasons for termination include fraud, lease violations, or failure to report income changes. If you are evicted by your private landlord while holding a voucher, you can request a new voucher in some cases, though this depends on the reason for eviction and PHA policy.

What to do if you have a problem with PHA

If you disagree with PHA's decision — such as a rent calculation, a lease violation notice, or a termination of information — you can request a hearing. This is called a grievance hearing in public housing or a hearing in the voucher program. You must request the hearing in writing within a set timeframe, usually 10 to 14 days from the notice. Send your request to the PHA office address on your notice.

At the hearing, you can explain your side, bring documents, and bring a representative (such as a lawyer or advocate). The hearing officer will listen to both sides and make a decision. If you disagree with the hearing decision, you may have the right to appeal to a higher level within PHA or to file a complaint with HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development).

If you need help, contact a legal aid organization in Philadelphia, such as Community Legal Services or the Homeless Advocacy Project. Many offer free or low-cost help to PHA tenants and voucher holders. You can also contact your city council member's office, which often has a constituent services team that can advocate on your behalf.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a PHA voucher or public housing?

Wait times vary. Public housing waiting lists in Philadelphia are typically closed or have waits of several years. Voucher waiting lists also have long waits, sometimes years. Call PHA or check their website to learn the current wait time for each program. Some people never reach the top of the list if they move away or their circumstances change.

Can I use a PHA voucher to rent anywhere in Philadelphia?

You can rent from any private landlord who accepts the voucher and whose unit meets PHA's standards. The unit must pass a PHA inspection for safety and quality. The rent cannot exceed PHA's payment standard for your area. Some landlords refuse vouchers, which is illegal in Philadelphia, but it still happens. If a landlord refuses, you can file a complaint with PHA or the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.

What happens to my rent if I get a job or my income increases?

You must report the income change to PHA within 30 days. PHA will recalculate your rent based on your new income, and your portion will increase. Your rent will go up on your next lease anniversary or at the next recertification, depending on PHA policy. Report changes promptly to avoid owing back rent.

Can PHA evict me if I cannot pay rent?

PHA can evict you for non-payment of rent, but only after following proper procedures. PHA must give you written notice and time to pay before filing for eviction. You have the right to a hearing where you can explain hardship or dispute the amount owed. If you are struggling to pay, contact PHA when ready to discuss your situation — some programs or payment plans may be available.

What do I do if PHA made a mistake on my rent calculation?

Request a grievance hearing in writing. Explain the error and bring documents that support your claim, such as pay stubs, tax returns, or benefit letters. The hearing officer will review the calculation and PHA's records. If PHA made an error, they must correct it and may owe you a refund or credit toward future rent.