Housing Choice Voucher
Overview
PHA provides rental assistance to low-income families in the private rental market through the Housing Choice Voucher Program, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The program, formerly known as Section 8, was created by the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, as amended.
The program is designed to achieve the following goals:
- Provide improved living conditions for low-income families while maintaining rent payments at an affordable level
- Promote freedom of housing choice and integrate lower-income and minority families into mainstream society
- Provide an incentive to private owners to rent to lower-income families by offering timely assistance payments, a pool of families to select from, and regular inspections to ensure upkeep of the property.
The HCV waitlist is currently closed. The public will be notified through TV, radio, print advertising, and on this website when the HCV waitlist will be reopened. Applicants may check their status online or by calling 215-684-4300. Please have your six-digit client ID number ready.
If you are a Landlord interested in renting to a voucher holder please visit our Learn How to become an HCV Landlord page or call HCV Owner Services at 215-684-3875 for more information.
Departments
HCV recently reorganized the departments to better serve our customers.
Eligibility and Owner Services Department
- Serves as liaison between PHA and landlords; conducts reasonable rent determinations; and processes Housing Assistance Payments.
- Oversees Unit-based vouchers and HAP Contracts.
- Determines eligibility for applicants, issues vouchers, processes transfers, ports and executes lease signings and HAP contracts.
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-4005
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: PHAHCVLandlords
Continued Occupancy Department
- Manages regular and interim recertifications and verifies family and income information.
- Oversees special programs such as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Blueprint to end homelessness, Family Unification Program, Nursing Home Transistion and HCV’s Homeownership program
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-1023
Click here to visit HCV Client Portal
Inspections Department
Conducts Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, enforces standards, and takes action for HQS violations.
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-1023
Email: [email protected]
Emergency HCV
- The vouchers are housing choice vouchers (HCV), but are dedicated exclusively to those in the City of Philadelphia’s Homeless system
- Applicants cannot apply to PHA for EHVs, and must be directly referred from the City of Philadelphia’s Homeless Services System
- Provides extra supports including counseling and housing search assistance
What if I’m on the HCV Waitlist or want more information about the Emergency Housing Vouchers?
If you would like more information about EHVs or homelessness assistance programs, please contact the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services by using one of the options listed below:
- Call the Homelessness Prevention Hotline at (215) 686-7177 and follow the instructions. Due to high call volume, it may take 72 hours to receive a callback.
- Visit a City-funded intake center.
For additional information about the Emergency Housing Vouchers, please visit HUD’s EHV website page.
Additional Resources Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Providers:
EHV Frequently Asked Questions
Landlord Information
PHA will provide security deposit assistance up to one month’s contract rent for new Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV).
Advertise your available units with GoSection8.
PHA’s HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER WAITING (HCV) LIST LOTTERY APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW CLOSED.
Applications for PHA’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waiting List Lottery were accepted from Monday, January 23, 2023, at 6:00 A.M. through Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 5:59 P.M.
PHA will conduct a random lottery to place and sort 10,000 applicants on the PHA HCV Waiting List. A lottery preference for housing assistance will be given to applicants who live, work, or have been hired to work within the city of Philadelphia. PHA will notify all applicants of whether they were randomly selected to be placed on the HCV Waiting List by March 1, 2023 by sending a letter to the mailing and email address on the application.
Applicants may check their status or update your contact information, mailing address or phone number for a submitted application online at WWW.PHA.PHILA.GOV or by calling (215) 684-4300.
The HCV program provides rental assistance to eligible individuals and families by paying a portion of rent directly to private landlords. As funding is available, PHA will contact applicants for program eligibility determinations, and this process will begin for some applicants as early as this coming April.
Departments
HCV recently reorganized the departments to better serve our customers.
Eligibility and Owner Services Department
- Serves as liaison between PHA and landlords; conducts reasonable rent determinations; and processes Housing Assistance Payments.
- Oversees Unit-based vouchers and HAP Contracts.
- Determines eligibility for applicants, issues vouchers, processes transfers, ports and executes lease signings and HAP contracts.
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-4005
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: PHAHCVLandlords
Continued Occupancy Department
- Manages regular and interim recertifications and verifies family and income information.
- Oversees special programs such as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH), Blueprint to end homelessness, Family Unification Program, Nursing Home Transistion and HCV’s Homeownership program
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-1023
Click here to visit HCV Client Portal
Inspections Department
Conducts Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections, enforces standards, and takes action for HQS violations.
Phone: 215-684-4300
Fax: 215-684-1023
Email: [email protected]
Emergency HCV
- The vouchers are housing choice vouchers (HCV), but are dedicated exclusively to those in the City of Philadelphia’s Homeless system
- Applicants cannot apply to PHA for EHVs, and must be directly referred from the City of Philadelphia’s Homeless Services System
- Provides extra supports including counseling and housing search assistance
What if I’m on the HCV Waitlist or want more information about the Emergency Housing Vouchers?
If you would like more information about EHVs or homelessness assistance programs, please contact the City of Philadelphia’s Office of Homeless Services by using one of the three options listed below:
- Complete an online form: Contact the Prevention, Diversion & Intake Unit
- Call the Homelessness Prevention Hotline at (215) 686-7177 and follow the instructions. Due to high call volume, it may take 72 hours to receive a callback.
- Visit a City-funded intake center.
For additional information about the Emergency Housing Vouchers, please visit HUD’s EHV website page.
Do you need help paying your rent?
For Emergency Rental Assistance, visit PHL Rent Assist or call 215-320-7880. You must apply online at PHL Rent Assist. If you don’t have access to a computer, please call 311.
Additional Resources Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Providers:
EHV Frequently Asked Questions
Landlord Information
PHA will provide security deposit assistance up to one month’s contract rent for new Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV).
