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Publication of this Brochure was Funded by a State College Borough Community Development Block Grant

What is Public Rental Housing?

Public housing is housing owned and run by the government through a local housing authority.  To live in public housing you must meet certain eligibility requirements.

In public housing your rent and utilities are generally less than in private housing.  Rent in public housing usually is no more than 30 percent of your income.  However, effective October 1, 1999, tenants can choose to pay a flat rate.

What is Subsidized Rental Housing?

Subsidized housing is when the government, through the Housing and Urban Development Section 8 program and other agencies, such as Rural Development, pays part of your rent.  Subsidized housing can include projects and complexes where the rent is subsidized, as well as Housing Choice vouchers (section 8) for privately owned rental units. To qualify for these programs you must have a low or moderate income.   Tenants usually pay no more than 30 percent of their income. 

How Do I Apply?

To apply for public or subsidized housing contact your local housing authority or the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

There are usually waiting lists to get into the public and subsidized housing programs.  If you are denied admission, you have a right to get a written notice that explains why.  You also can ask for a meeting.

Can I Be Evicted?

You can be evicted from public and subsidized housing for:

• not paying your rent;
• violations of the lease;
• any criminal acts that threaten the health and safety of the other tenants or disturbs the peace, including drug-related activity.

You may also be evicted from subsidized housing at the end of the term of the lease for no reason.

To evict you the landlord or housing authority must give you a written notice. If you are being evicted for not paying your rent, you should receive a 14 day notice.  If the eviction is because of a threat to health or safety a "reasonable" notice is required.  Pennsylvania law requires a 15 day notice for evictions for reasons other than nonpayment of rent. 

Victims of domestic violence may have extra protection against eviction.

Changes in Your Income?

Tenants in public housing must report changes in their income!  Usually, a tenant will report their income to the housing manager once a year and the manager will change the rent as needed.  But, if the source of your income changes (you lose your job, you start getting child support, etc.), you must report the change at once so your rent can be changed.  These changes must be reported within 10 days of the change.

If your income goes up and your rent does not, you may be asked to pay a large amount of back rent all at one time.  So, if you think your rent has not been changed correctly, talk to your manager.

If you have a complaint or disagreement with the housing authority, you have the right to request a grievance hearing.

If you have specific questions about public or subsidized housing contact your local housing authority or your local legal services program.

MidPenn Legal Services serves residents of:
Adams, Bedford, Berks, Blair, Dauphin, Centre, Clearfield, Cumberland, Fulton, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Mifflin, Perry, Schuylkill and York Counties

This pamphlet is meant to give general information and not specific legal advice.  MidPenn Legal Services, (MPLS) in providing this information, is in no way agreeing or implying that it will represent individuals who use the enclosed information.  Although this information is believed accurate at the time of preparation, MPLS assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of this information.  Individual situations require individual analysis.  2008