What Westmoreland County Housing Authority does

Westmoreland County Housing Authority (WCHA) is a public agency that manages public housing units and administers rental information programs across Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. The authority owns and operates apartment complexes for low-income residents and handles the paperwork and payments for federal housing voucher programs. If you live in the county and need affordable housing or have questions about a lease, rent payment, or maintenance issue in a WCHA property, you contact them directly.

WCHA is separate from the county government itself. It operates under state law and federal housing rules, which means the process for getting help or filing a complaint follows specific steps and timelines. Understanding who does what — and where to go when something goes wrong — saves you time and frustration.

Key Takeaways

  • Westmoreland County Housing Authority manages public housing units and rental voucher programs in the county, and you contact them directly for lease, rent, or maintenance questions.
  • The main office is in New Kensington, and you can reach them by phone, mail, or in person during business hours.
  • If you are a current resident with a maintenance emergency, call the emergency line rather than waiting for regular office hours.
  • Complaints about WCHA policies or a lease dispute can be filed through their grievance process, which has specific important date and steps.
  • WCHA also administers Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), which work differently from public housing and have their own process and waiting list.

How to reach Westmoreland County Housing Authority

The main office is located at 1 Civic Center Plaza, New Kensington, PA 15068. You can call them at 724-339-8400 during business hours, which are typically Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You can also visit in person at that address or mail a letter to the same address if you prefer written communication.

If you are a current resident and have an emergency — such as no heat in winter, a burst pipe, or a serious electrical problem — ask for the emergency maintenance line when you call. WCHA maintains an after-hours number for urgent repairs that cannot wait until the next business day. Keep that number posted in your apartment if you live in a WCHA unit.

For questions about a specific program, such as Housing Choice Vouchers or public housing, ask the person who answers the phone which department handles your issue. This speeds up your call and gets you to someone who can actually answer your question rather than transferring you multiple times.

Public housing versus Housing Choice Vouchers

WCHA manages two different types of housing. Public housing means WCHA owns the building and you pay rent to them directly. You live in a WCHA-owned apartment complex, and WCHA handles maintenance, repairs, and lease enforcement. Housing Choice Vouchers (also called Section 8) work differently: you find a private landlord, and the voucher program pays part of your rent directly to that landlord while you pay the rest.

If you live in a WCHA-owned building, your lease is with WCHA and your rent goes to WCHA. If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, your lease is with a private landlord, and WCHA's role is to inspect the unit, process the landlord's payment, and manage your voucher. The rules, complaint processes, and what happens if there is a dispute are different for each type.

Both programs have waiting lists. WCHA maintains a single waiting list for public housing and a separate one for Housing Choice Vouchers. Wait times vary depending on how many units are available and how many people are ahead of you. You can contact WCHA to ask where you stand on the list if you have already applied.

Filing a complaint or grievance with WCHA

If you believe WCHA has violated your lease, failed to make a repair, or treated you unfairly, you have the right to file a grievance. This is a formal process with specific steps and important date. You must file within a certain number of days of the incident or when you discovered the problem — waiting too long can mean losing your right to complain.

Start by putting your complaint in writing. Include what happened, when it happened, who was involved, and what you want WCHA to do about it. Mail it to the main office or hand-deliver it and ask for a receipt showing the date you filed. Keep a copy for yourself. WCHA will acknowledge your grievance and schedule a hearing where you can explain your side and WCHA can respond.

The grievance process is free and does not require a lawyer, though you can bring one if you choose. If you disagree with WCHA's decision, you may have the right to appeal to a higher authority or pursue the matter in court, but that depends on the specific issue and what your lease says. Ask WCHA what your next step is if you lose the grievance hearing.

Rent payment and lease terms

If you live in a WCHA public housing unit, your lease sets out your rent amount, what utilities WCHA covers, what you are responsible for, and the rules you must follow. Rent is due on a specific date each month, usually the first. If you cannot pay on time, contact WCHA when ready — do not wait until you are behind. Some residents may be able to work out a payment plan or connect with emergency information programs.

Your lease also explains what happens if you break the rules or stop paying rent. WCHA can start eviction proceedings if you fall significantly behind, but they must follow legal steps and give you notice. If you receive an eviction notice, respond to it and contact WCHA to discuss your options. Ignoring it makes the situation worse.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher, your lease is with your private landlord, not WCHA. Your rent and lease terms are between you and the landlord. WCHA's role is to make sure the unit meets housing standards and to pay the landlord's portion of the rent. If your landlord tries to evict you, that is a matter between you and the landlord, though WCHA may be able to help you understand your rights.

Maintenance and repairs in WCHA units

If you live in a WCHA-owned apartment and something breaks or stops working, report it to WCHA's maintenance department. Call the main office during business hours or use the emergency line for urgent problems. Describe the problem clearly — for example, "the kitchen faucet is leaking" rather than "something is wrong with the sink." Give them your apartment number and the best time to reach you.

WCHA is responsible for maintaining the building structure, roof, plumbing, electrical systems, and heating. You are usually responsible for keeping your unit clean and not damaging things beyond normal wear and tear. If WCHA does not make a repair within a reasonable time, document the problem (take photos, write down dates you called), and file a grievance if necessary.

If you hold a Housing Choice Voucher and rent from a private landlord, your landlord is responsible for repairs, not WCHA. However, WCHA inspects the unit to make sure it meets housing standards. If the landlord refuses to make required repairs, you can report it to WCHA, and they may contact the landlord or remove the unit from the program.

Understanding the waiting list

Both public housing and Housing Choice Vouchers have waiting lists because demand exceeds the number of available units. When you explore, WCHA puts you on the list and assigns you a position based on when you applied. Wait times can be months or years depending on the program and how many units become available.

WCHA will contact you when a unit or voucher becomes available for you. Make sure they have your correct phone number and address so they can reach you. If you move or change your phone number, update WCHA when ready. If they cannot reach you when your turn comes, they may move to the next person on the list and you may lose your spot.

You can call WCHA to ask about your position on the waiting list, but they cannot tell you exactly when a unit will open up. Availability depends on when current residents move out, which is unpredictable. Some people wait a long time; others get called within months. If you need housing urgently, ask WCHA about other programs or resources in the county that might help you faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between public housing and Section 8?

Public housing means WCHA owns the building and you rent directly from them. Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) means you find a private landlord and the program pays part of your rent. Your lease, landlord, and complaint process are different for each.

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

Wait times vary. WCHA maintains separate waiting lists for each program. Call 724-339-8400 to ask where you stand on the list, but WCHA cannot predict when a unit will open. Some people wait months; others wait years.

What do I do if my landlord (in a voucher unit) will not make repairs?

Report it to WCHA. They inspect voucher units and can contact the landlord or remove the unit from the program if repairs are not made. Your landlord is responsible for repairs, not WCHA, but WCHA enforces housing standards.

Can I be evicted from a WCHA public housing unit?

Yes, if you stop paying rent or seriously violate your lease. WCHA must follow legal eviction steps and give you notice. If you receive an eviction notice, contact WCHA when ready to discuss your options rather than ignoring it.

How do I file a complaint against WCHA?

Put your complaint in writing, include what happened and when, and mail or hand-deliver it to the main office at 1 Civic Center Plaza, New Kensington, PA 15068. Ask for a receipt. WCHA will schedule a grievance hearing where you can explain your side.