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What is the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and what do they do?

Is there a toll-free number I can call to find HUD-approved housing counseling agencies?

Where can I find a list of commonly asked housing questions?

Am I eligible for Section 8 Vouchers?

How do I apply for Section 8 Vouchers?

Is there Housing available for people over 62 or for people with disabilities?

How can I contact my local Housing Authority?

What is the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and what do they do?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the Federal agency responsible for national policy and programs that address America's housing needs, that improve and develop the Nation's communities, and enforce fair housing laws. Although HUD administers many programs, its major functions may be grouped into six categories:

• Insuring mortgages for single-family and multi-family dwellings, and extending loans for home improvement and for purchasing mobile homes
• Channeling funds from investors into the mortgage industry through the Government National Mortgage Association
• Making direct loans for construction or rehabilitation of housing projects for the elderly and handicapped
• Providing Federal housing subsidies for low and moderate-income families
• Providing grants to States and communities for community development activities
• Promoting and enforcing fair housing and equal housing opportunities.

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Is there a toll-free number I can call to find HUD-approved housing counseling agencies?

HUD has a toll-free housing counseling referral service that provides potential homebuyers, homeowners, and renters with the names and telephone numbers of their nearest HUD approved housing counseling agencies. Services provided by the agencies include: first time homebuyer information, mortgage default and delinquency counseling, reverse mortgage (HECM) counseling, financial management and property maintenance guidelines. potential homebuyers, homeowners, and renters with the names and telephone numbers of their nearest HUD approved housing counseling agencies. Services provided by the agencies include: first time homebuyer information, mortgage default and delinquency counseling, reverse mortgage (HECM) counseling, financial management and property maintenance guidelines.

Toll-Free Housing Referral Service

1-800-569-4287

1-800-358-6216 (TDD)

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Where can I find a list of commonly asked housing questions?

If you are looking for more information please refer to the HUD website.

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Am I eligible for Section 8 Vouchers?

Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the Public Housing Authority (PHA) based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. By law, a PHA must provide 75 percent of its voucher to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30 percent of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. The PHA serving your community can provide you with the income limits for your area and family size.

During the application process, the PHA will collect information on family income, assets, and family composition. The PHA will verify this information with other local agencies, your employer and bank, and will use the information to determine program eligibility and the amount of the housing assistance payment.

If the PHA determines that your family is eligible, the PHA will put your name on a waiting list, unless it is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the PHA will contact you and issue to you a housing voucher.

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How do I apply for Section 8 Vouchers?

If you are interested in applying for a voucher, contact the local PHA. For further assistance, please contact the HUD Office nearest to you.

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Is there Housing available for people over 62 or for people with disabilities?

Yes. For information on public housing opportunities please contact your local Housing Authority.

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How can I contact my local Housing Authority?

Here is a list of the Housing Authorities in the 8th district:

Bucks County Housing Authority
350 S. Main St., Suite 205, Doylestown, PA 18901
215-348-9469 (Central Bucks)
215-757-0206 (Lower Bucks)
215-721-0331 (Upper Bucks)
9 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday


Montgomery Housing Authority
104 W. Main Street, Suite 1
Norristown, PA 19401
Telephone: (610) 275-5720 http://www.montcoha.org/

Philadelphia Housing Authority
12 South 23rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-684-4000
http://www.pha.phila.gov/

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