Section 8 Information

Please choose a link below to find out more about our Section 8 programs. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

• Tenant-Based Rental Assistance
• Project-Based Rental Assistance
• Low Incoming Housing Tax Credit Program
• Eligibility Qualifications
• Local Preferences
• Income Limits
• How to Apply

Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Programs

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and HOME Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Coupons.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the rules and regulations for these programs. There is a wailing list because the need for rental assistance is great. When a family is determined to be eligible for the program and funding is available, Section 8 issues the family a Voucher at a tenant briefing. The family decides where to live. They family must locate a housing unit that meets the programs rules. That can be where they live right now or a totally different unit. The PHA can help in some ways, but the primary responsibility for finding a suitable unit to rent is the family’s. At the time a family initially receives tenant-based assistance for occupancy of a dwelling unit, the family share is a percentage of their adjusted monthly income. Contract rents are based on HUD formulations.

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Project-Based Rental Assistance Programs

Section 8 Project-Based Voucher and Moderate Rehabilitation Units.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) determines the rules and regulations for these programs. There is a waiting list because the need for rental assistance is great. As vacancies occur at specific sites, a family is pulled from that waiting list and determined eligible. The family must move into a specific unit in order to receive rental assistance. The owner must approve the family as a suitable tenant. At the time a family initially receives project-based assistance for occupancy of a dwelling unit, the family share is a percentage of their adjusted monthly-income. See the enclosed list of project-based sites. Interested families may contact that site and set up an appointment to complete an applications packet and go through the screening process.

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Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program

The Housing Authority also manages low-income housing tax credit units. Applicants must be income eligible and able to pay the full monthly rent. Tax credit units also accept Section 8 Vouchers and HOME Coupons.

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Eligibility Qualifications

Adults (age 18 or older) must pass a criminal history background screening. Adults with a criminal history must be fingerprinted and run through the FBI’s files covering all 50 states. Applicants may be a single person or a group of persons who intend to share residency whose income and resources are available to meet the family’s needs. Two or more elderly persons or persons with disabilities living together, or one or more elderly persons or persons with disabilities living with one or more live-in aides, is a family.

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Local Preferences

Local preferences allow priority status to applicants who qualify and must submit documentation from social service agencies verifying their preference:

• Homeless or will be homeless within 6 months and living in a supervised public or a resident at an institution or in a group home preparing the individual to become self-sufficient (letters from shelter or agency).
  
  
• Participants in transitional housing programs (letter from agency).
  
  
• Natural disaster (fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, etc.) causing the unit to be uninhabitable within past 6 months (letter from Red Cross or Salvation Army).
  
  
• Code enforcement by Federal, State or local government action, public improvement or development (letter from local government agency).
  
  
• Participants/graduates in educational and training programs designed to prepare the individual for the job market (documents from school or instructor).
  
  
• Victim of domestic violence within past 6 months (letter from domestic abuse shelter or copy of PFA).
  
• Veternan's Preference (Honorable Discharge): Spouses and children of veterans.

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Income Limits

• Each year 75% of new Section 8 admissions must fall below the 30% income guideline.
  
  
• Each year 100% of tax credit admissions must fall below either 50% or 60% of the income guidelines depending on the sites.

Persons Per Household (effective 5/3/2011)

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How to Apply for Section 8 Assistance
 

• Apply in person at our Greensburg Section 8 office.
   
• Request an application by mail simply by calling (724) 832-7258, 337-7444, or 684-7704 ext. 3054.
   
• Request an application by email at JanetG@wchaonline.com.

IMMEDIATE RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME

When your name nears the top of the waiting list, we will contact you by first class mail and you will receive a letter with forms to complete to check your criminal background. After you pass the criminal check, you will be scheduled for an income eligibility interview and a briefing session.

It is your responsibility to keep your application up-do-date, when changes occur, such as moving to a new address. You can stop in and pick up an application update to complete or call and leave your name and address and we will drop one in the mail.

The Housing Authority may send out application updates every 12 to 24 months. If you do not respond to our inquiry or the Post Office returns your letter, your application maybe be permanently withdrawn.

Westmoreland County Housing Authority, Section 8 Department
154 South Greengate Road, Greensburg, PA 15601-6392
(724) 832-7258, 337-7444, 684-7704; Fax (724) 832-7488.

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