THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

The Rental Assistance Program, often referred to as "Section 8", helps low income County residents by assisting them with their monthly rent payments.

Eligibility:  Eligibility is limited to very low and low income residents of Lancaster County. These income limits are updated annually.  At least 75% of the households receiving assistance must initially qualify as a very low income household.

Income Limits

All types of rental housing (single family homes, apartments, duplexes, and mobile homes) are eligible as long as the rent is reasonable in comparison to the fair market rent limits established by US Department of Housing and Urban Development and the unit is decent, safe, and sanitary. Any units for which a household receives rental assistance  must pass an annual inspection to ensure that the unit is safe and decent.

Financial Assistance:  Under the program, income-eligible tenants pay a minimum of thirty percent of their monthly incomes for rent and utilities and the Lancaster County Housing Authority pays the remaining portion of the rent. Tenants are given a housing voucher and they are responsible for locating a suitable rental unit. The landlord must agree to participate in the Program.

Apply:  Unfortunately, the need for rental assistance far outweighs the number of housing vouchers available to the County. Applications are available only during limited time periods, and most often there is a lengthy waiting list.

OTHER RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

The Family Self Sufficiency Program provides assistance to families that are currently holding Section 8 vouchers. The primary goal of the program is to help families develop the skills and resources they need to become self-sufficient. The families that are enrolled in this program have five years to reach the goals they have set up for themselves.