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).

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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 3/21/07)

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How to Apply for Section 8 Assistance

• Apply Online using our new Online Application.
   
• 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 bevs@wchaonline.com.

If you are filling out a paper application, please return the application to our Greensburg office. Please be sure to answer all questions to the best of your ability. We will return incomplete applications. Applications received are date and time stamped and reviewed for eligibility and entered into the computer. Allow 4 to 6 weeks for processing and acknowledgement.

Periodically, Section 8 updates the waiting list. Applicants must return the update to remain on the active waiting list. Correspondence returned by the Post Office returns as undeliverable will be removed from the waiting list. Please call and ask for an UPDATE when changes occur (i.e., moving to a new address, adding or deleting persons on your application, and changes in your income). No changes can be made by telephone. All changes must be in writing. Changes may affect the length of time you are on the waiting list. We will contact you by first class mail. Please keep your address current.

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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