Program Overview
Currently, we administer up to 1,003 Vouchers, of which 75 are Project-Based. We offer a Family Self-Sufficiency Program that works cooperatively with the community and local agencies in providing services.
The LCHA's Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8 provides rental assistance to families and individuals with incomes between 30% and 50% of the median income for Lancaster, PA. Income-eligible families may rent affordable housing on the private market.
Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 clients are permitted to choose where they want to live, as long as the rent has been determined to be reasonable, the unit meets the requirements of the Housing Choice Voucher Program/Section 8, the unit passes current inspection standards, and the client will not pay more than 40% of their income in rent and utilities.
A family's housing needs change over time with changes in family size, job locations, and for other reasons. The Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 program is designed to allow families to move without the loss of rental assistance. Moves are permissible as long as the family notifies the Housing Authority ahead of time, terminates its existing lease within the appropriate provisions, and finds acceptable alternate housing.
Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 are portable anywhere within the United States and its territories as long as there is a Housing Authority operating in the area where the client wants to transfer. To exercise this option you need to check with the issuing Housing Authority for any restrictions.
We are not accepting applications at this time.
As needed, applications are selected by date and time for placement on the Housing Choice Voucher/Section 8 waiting list. Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 are in great demand but in very short supply. The wait for a Voucher can be very long.
For information on LCHA Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Programs, please email us at housing.info@lchapa.com
Who Qualifies?
For the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher program, a family or individual must be under the annual income limits, as determined by HUD for the Lancaster, PA area at the time they first receive Section 8 housing assistance.
2023 Section 8 Income Limits
% of Median | 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person | 7 Person | 8 Person |
30% | $20,100 | $22,950 | $25,800 | $30,000 | $35,140 | $40,280 | $45,420 | $50,560 |
50% | $33,450 | $38,200 | $43,000 | $47,750 | $51,600 | $55,400 | $59,250 | $63,050 |
​What are the Payment Standards?*
Efficiency | $1032 |
One Bedroom | $1167 |
Two Bedroom | $1,466 |
Three Bedroom | $1,898 |
Four Bedroom | $1,953 |
Five Bedroom | $2,245 |
* The above monthly rent amounts include all utilities.
Families may pay slightly more rent with a voucher, but they may not pay more than 40 percent of their income toward rent and utilities. Voucher rents must be certified as reasonable in comparison to unassisted market rents in the area.
Section 8: Roles & Responsibilities
Responsibilities within the Rental Voucher Program
Once the Housing Authority approves an eligible family's lease and housing unit, the family and the landlord sign a lease and, at the same time, the landlord and the Housing Authority sign a housing assistance contract which runs for the same term as the lease. This means that the client, the landlord and the Housing Authority have obligations and responsibilities within the rental voucher program.
Client's Role
When a client selects a housing unit, and the Housing Authority approves the unit and lease, the client signs a lease with the landlord for at least one year. The client may be required to pay a security deposit to the landlord. After the first year the landlord may initiate a new lease or allow the client to remain in the unit on a month-to-month lease.
When the client is settled in a new home, they are expected to comply with the lease and the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher program requirements, pay their share of rent and utilities on time, maintain the unit in good condition and be responsible for normal housekeeping maintenance of the rental unit.
Serious or repeated lease violations can result in the termination of housing assistance under the federal regulations.
The client is responsible for notifying the Housing Authority of any changes in income or family composition.
Landlord's Role
The role of the landlord in the rental voucher program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to a client at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher program's housing standards and the landlord is responsible for the upkeep of the property and must maintain these standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments.
The Landlord is expected to maintain the property's overall condition and see that the basic plumbing, electrical, heating and cooling systems, etc. are functioning properly. In addition, the landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the lease signed with the client and the contract signed with the Housing Authority.
Should the family violate the terms of the lease or fail to pay the rent, the landlord would evict the family through the normal court eviction procedure and send the Housing Authority copies of any notices that are served to the tenant so the Housing Authority can respond properly.
Housing Authority's Role
The Housing Authority administers the rental voucher program. In order for the program to work the Housing Authority must provide the following: prompt and professional service to the client and the landlord; a review of all applications to determine whether an applicant is eligible for the program; issuance of a voucher and, if necessary, assist the client in finding a place to live; approve the unit, the landlord, and the tenancy; make housing assistance payments to the landlord in a timely manner; ensure that both the client and the unit continue to qualify under the program; ensure that landlords and clients comply with the program regulations.
The Housing Authority operates the Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Programs under an approved HUD Administrative Plan, that complies with the requirements under the Quality Housing and Responsibility Act, which is available for review at the Authority offices. If the landlord fails to meet his/her obligations under the contract, the Housing Authority has the right to terminate assistance payments.
HUD's Role
To cover the cost of the program, HUD provides funds to allow the Housing Authority to make housing assistance payments on behalf of the families and HUD pays the Housing Authority a fee for the costs of administering the program.