What the Reading Housing Authority does

The Reading Housing Authority (RHA) is a public agency that runs public housing, administers rental vouchers, and manages affordable housing programs in Reading, Pennsylvania. It does not set policy for all housing authorities — each one operates independently within its state and federal framework. The RHA answers to a local board and receives funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), but the day-to-day decisions about who gets housing and how programs run are made in Reading.

The agency manages three main things: public housing units it owns directly, the Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly Section 8), and other affordable housing initiatives. If you live in Reading and need affordable housing, or if you already receive information through the RHA, understanding which program you are in and who to contact for specific problems will save you time and frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • The Reading Housing Authority runs public housing, voucher programs, and affordable housing initiatives separately — the rules and waiting lists are different for each.
  • Public housing is owned and managed by the RHA directly; voucher programs let you rent from a private landlord and the RHA pays part of the rent.
  • Waiting lists for both public housing and vouchers are typically long and may be closed to new applicants; you can call the RHA to ask the current status.
  • The RHA's office handles rent payments, maintenance requests, lease violations, and program rule questions — not the individual property managers.
  • If you have a dispute with the RHA or a property manager, you have the right to a hearing before the RHA board, and you can bring a representative.

Public housing versus voucher programs

The RHA owns and operates public housing buildings directly. When you live in public housing, the RHA is your landlord. You sign a lease with the RHA, pay rent to the RHA (usually a percentage of your income), and call the RHA's maintenance line when something breaks. The RHA sets the rules for the building, conducts inspections, and can evict you through the RHA's own process if you violate the lease.

The Housing Choice Voucher program works differently. The RHA gives you a voucher that covers part of your rent — typically the difference between 30 percent of your income and the fair market rent for your area. You find a private landlord willing to accept the voucher, sign a lease with that landlord, and the RHA pays the landlord directly each month. You are a tenant of the private landlord, not the RHA, though the RHA still inspects the unit and enforces program rules. If the landlord wants to evict you, they go through regular court eviction, not an RHA process.

Waiting lists for both programs are separate. You can be on the waiting list for public housing and the voucher program at the same time, but they move independently. The RHA's website or a phone call to their office will tell you whether either list is currently open to new names.

How to contact the Reading Housing Authority

The RHA's main office is located in Reading and handles all program questions, rent payments, maintenance requests, and disputes. You can reach them by phone during business hours to ask about waiting list status, report a maintenance problem, request a lease modification, or ask about program rules. The office address and phone number are on the RHA's official website.

If you need to submit documents — such as proof of income for a rent adjustment or a request for a reasonable accommodation — ask the office whether you can email, mail, or deliver them in person. Some documents have important date, so confirm the important date when you submit.

For emergencies outside business hours (such as no heat in winter or a burst pipe), the RHA usually has an emergency maintenance line. Ask for that number when you call during the day, or check the RHA's website for the after-hours procedure.

Rent calculations and income recertification

In both public housing and voucher programs, your rent is based on your income. The standard formula is 30 percent of your gross monthly income, though the RHA may set a minimum rent. If your income changes, you must report it to the RHA. The RHA will recalculate your rent and send you a new lease or voucher payment schedule.

The RHA requires you to recertify your income once a year. You will receive a notice with a important date — usually 30 to 60 days — and a list of documents you need to bring or mail in. Acceptable documents include recent pay stubs, tax returns, Social Security statements, or a letter from your employer. If you do not recertify by the important date, the RHA may terminate your lease or voucher.

If your income drops significantly between recertifications, contact the RHA to request an interim recertification. Your rent will not go down automatically; you have to ask. If your income rises, you are required to report it, and your rent will increase at the next recertification.

Maintenance requests and repairs

In public housing, call the RHA's maintenance line to report a repair. Describe the problem clearly — for example, "the kitchen faucet is leaking" rather than "the sink is broken" — and provide your unit number and phone number. The RHA will schedule a time for maintenance to visit. Emergency repairs (no heat, no water, electrical hazard) should be reported as emergencies and typically receive faster response.

In a voucher program, you report repairs to your private landlord first, not the RHA. Your lease should specify how to report problems and how long the landlord has to fix them. If the landlord does not make repairs, you can contact the RHA to report a lease violation, but the RHA does not do the repair itself — it enforces the landlord's obligation to do so.

If the RHA does not respond to a maintenance request in a reasonable time, or if you believe the repair is urgent, call the RHA's office to escalate the request. Keep a record of when you called, what you reported, and when maintenance came (or did not come).

Lease violations and disputes

The RHA can issue a notice of lease violation if you break a program rule — for example, unauthorized occupants, criminal activity, or non-payment of rent. The notice will tell you what the violation is, when it occurred, and what you must do to cure it (fix it) or when a hearing will be held.

You have the right to a hearing before the RHA board before your lease is terminated. At the hearing, you can present your side of the story, bring witnesses, and have a representative (such as a lawyer or advocate) speak for you. The RHA must prove the violation occurred. If you cannot afford a lawyer, contact a local legal aid organization to ask whether they can help.

If you disagree with a rent calculation, an income recertification decision, or a maintenance dispute, you can also request a hearing. The process is the same: you get written notice, you have the right to a hearing, and you can bring a representative.

Reasonable accommodations and disabilities

If you have a disability, you may be may have access to to a reasonable accommodation — a change to the rules or the unit to allow you to use and enjoy the housing. Examples include a reserved parking space closer to your unit, permission to have a service animal, or a modification to the unit such as a ramp or grab bars.

To request an accommodation, contact the RHA in writing and describe your disability and the specific change you need. You do not have to disclose your diagnosis; you only need to explain the relationship between your disability and the accommodation you are requesting. Include supporting documentation from a doctor or other professional if you have it. The RHA has a set time frame (usually 10 business days) to respond.

If the RHA denies your request, ask for the reason in writing. You can request a hearing to challenge the denial. Disability rights organizations in Pennsylvania can provide guidance if you believe the RHA has discriminated against you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for public housing or vouchers?

Waiting times vary and change frequently. Call the RHA's office or check their website to ask the current average wait time and whether the list is open. Some lists close when they become very long and reopen periodically. You can ask to be added to a closed list and will be contacted when it reopens.

What happens if I move while I have a voucher?

You can move to a new unit while keeping your voucher, but you must notify the RHA before you move and get written approval for the new address. The new unit must pass an RHA inspection and the rent must be within the program's payment standard. If you move without approval, the RHA may terminate your voucher.

Can the RHA evict me without a hearing?

No. The RHA must give you written notice of the violation, and you have the right to a hearing before the RHA board before your lease is terminated. The only exception is if you pose an when ready threat to safety, in which case the RHA may terminate when ready but must still offer a hearing afterward.

What if I cannot pay my rent?

Contact the RHA when ready. Explain your situation and ask whether you can make a partial payment or arrange a payment plan. Do not ignore the rent — unpaid rent is grounds for eviction. The RHA may also refer you to emergency information programs if you have experienced a recent hardship.

How do I know if I am paying the correct rent?

Ask the RHA for a written breakdown of how your rent was calculated. It should show your gross income, the percentage used (usually 30 percent), any deductions the RHA allows, and the minimum rent if one applies. If the calculation looks wrong, request a recalculation and bring documentation of your actual income.