Section 8
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Voucher Program was enacted as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Rental assistance under this program is “tenant-based”, meaning assistance follows the program participant. Lycoming Housing proudly assists nearly 500 families in meeting their monthly rental obligations by partnering with many local, Section 8 – approved landlords. Under this program, tenants pay between 30% and 40% of their adjusted gross monthly income in rent, while LHA pays the remainder of the negotiated rent directly to the landlord under a Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract. Unlike the site-specific Public Housing Program, the HCV program provides eligible families with an expanded number of qualified housing opportunities throughout the county and offers the additional flexibility of identifying homes that will closely meet their personal needs.
Selection Process
When the Section 8 waiting list is open, applicants can apply online. The process has two phases: a preliminary application, where families are placed on the waiting list based on income, application timing, and eligibility preferences, and a final eligibility review when nearing the top of the list. At that stage, all information is verified. Applicants are responsible for keeping their information up to date using the Application Update Form.
LHA assigns preferences during the process, such as residency in Lycoming County, elderly or disabled status, displacement, veteran status, or employment or school attendance within the service area. All selected preferences are verified before a voucher is issued.
As applicants near the top of the list, they will be contacted to confirm continued interest and provide updates. If eligible, they will be invited to an interview, and background checks will be completed. Once approved, a voucher is issued, and applicants have 60 days to find housing.
01
Preliminary Application
Submit online during an open waitlist period.
02
Waitlist
Placement
Placement is ordered by application timestamp and verified preferences.
03
Final Eligibility Review
As you near the top, your information is re-verified.
04
Interview & Verification
LHA confirms household details and supporting documents.
05
Voucher
Issuance
If approved, households generally have 60 days to locate housing.
Eligibility Requirements
- Qualify as a family
- Have an income within the federally mandated income limits
- Meet citizen/eligible immigrant criteria
- Provide documentation of valid Social Security numbers
- Sign consent authorization documents
Waiting List Preferences
- Displaced
- Veteran
- County Resident
- Disabled
- Employed
- Less than 50% of Median Income
In addition to the verifying eligibility requirements, the LHA will perform criminal background reviews for each adult household member. All applicants are processed and placed on a waiting list according to date and time of application and preference eligibility.
Income Limits
2024 – 2025, Lycoming County, PA
| 1 Person | 2 Person | 3 Person | 4 Person | 5 Person | 6 Person | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Extremely Low 30% | 18,100 | 21,640 | 27,320 | 33,000 | 38,680 | 44,360 |
| Very Low 50% | 30,200 | 34,500 | 38,800 | 43,100 | 46,550 | 50,000 |
| Low 80% | 48,300 | 55,200 | 62,100 | 68,950 | 74,500 | 80,000 |
| Muncy Greene 20% | 12,080 | 13,800 | 15,520 | 17,240 | 18,620 | 20,000 |
