About Renting

Eligible Income Limits and Voucher Payment Standards

  • Who is eligible?
    • Extremely low and very low (50 percent income) families who are domiciled in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
    • Not less than 75% of families admitted during the fiscal year from the waitlist shall be extremely low-income families
    • Area median income levels as determined by HUD can be seen here:  Dauphin County Area Median Income Limits
  • Payment Standards:
    • The maximum housing assistance paid on behalf of a tenant.  The payment standard is the beginning amount used for calculating the housing assistance payment.  The maximum housing assistance that eligible families can receive under the program is the difference between 30% of the net household income and the current payment standard.
  • Currently, the voucher beginning January 1, 2024 payment standards based on dwelling size are:
    • Efficiency= $1,007
    • 1 bedroom = $1,174
    • 2 bedroom = $1,464
    • 3 bedroom = $1,879
    • 4 bedroom = $1,949
    • 5 bedroom = $2,241
    • 6 bedroom = $2,535

 Rent

  • The HHA will give the owner a monthly sum equal to the difference between the rent the family is paying and the unit’s approved rent. The rent is established based on local comparable rent standards for non-subsidized rents.  It is illegal for HCV Program rents to be set significantly higher than open market rents in the same area.
  • rent reasonableness-
    • all proposed rents must be comparable and reasonable as compared to similar unassisted units 

Housing Assistance Program Contract (HAP)

  • The HAP Contract is a written contract between the Harrisburg Housing Authority and an owner to provide Housing Assistance Payments on behalf of an eligible family.
  • Maximum term of HAP
    • is the same as the term of the lease (not less than one year, subject to any HAP or Contract requirements that allow for termination of the contract).  The HAP contract may be extended indefinitely if the family remains in occupancy under the terms and conditions of its original lease

Obligations of the Family

  • Family Contributions
    • The family’s contribution to the program is 30 percent of their adjusted income. The family’s share of the rent may be adjusted up or down depending on changes in the family’s income or household members. Any new admission or any family who moves may not pay more than 40% of their adjusted monthly income toward the initial rent.
    • The HHA will review tenants annually or any time during the year if there is a change in family size or income.
  • Utilities

Water, Sewer & Trash

  • These bills are to be paid by the owner up to the utility allowance designated on the utility schedule for the appropriate family bedroom size listed on the voucher.  If the unit is separately metered for water, the owner may request that the tenant pay any amount exceeding the utility allowance, except for any late charges.  A copy of the city’s water bill must be attached to the tenant’s billing.

Lead Paint Abatement

  • The City of Harrisburg is participating in a Federal Grant Program for Lead Paint Abatement.

Eligibility Clearance 

  • Each property submitted for participation is subject to an eligibility clearance with the City of Harrisburg.
  • Each unit must be current with taxes and city utilities and have no liens on the property.
  • For questions regarding eligibility, please contact the Bureau of Operation and Revenue at  (717) 255-6514

HHA’s Disapproval of an Owner

  • In accordance with CRF 982.306(7)(d), the HHA must not approve a unit if the owner is the parent, child, grandparent, sister or brother of any member of the family, unless the HHA determines that approving the unit would provide reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with disabilities. 

For Questions Regarding the HCV Program:

  • Contact: The Section 8 Office at:  (717)234-9664