Low Income Apartments and Affordable Housing For Rent in Philadelphia, PA (2024)

FAQs

How to get low income housing fast in Pennsylvania? ›

If you or someone you know is currently experiencing homelessness, please call the Office of Homeless Services at (215) 686-7177 and/or visit one of the intake centers on this list of housing providers.

The Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) supports the City of Philadelphia's Philly First Home program. The program offers a home buyer assistance grant of up to $10,000 (or 6% of the purchase price, whichever is less) to help first-time home buyers.

Hardship funds grant assistance to customers who cannot qualify for other financial assistance programs, or to those that still have a critical need when there are no other resources. The funds make payments directly to companies on behalf of eligible customers. Contact your electric utility for more information.

Rental, utility and other expenses related to housing, separately or when combined, can be made only for up to 12 months plus an additional three months, if necessary, to ensure housing stability for the household, subject to the availability of funds.

How much does a single person need to make to live comfortably in Philadelphia? The SmartAsset study found a single person in Philadelphia would need to make a salary of $92,726 per year, pre-tax, to live comfortably in the city. That breaks down to an hourly wage of $44.58.

“Affordability” can feel very subjective. But there is a real definition: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standard for being affordable calls for your spending no more than 30% of your income to pay for your rent or mortgage, utilities, and other housing costs.

The Philadelphia Housing Authority is capping the waiting list at 10,000 applications. It's expected to take three to five years to clear the list.

Is Philadelphia still giving out rental assistance? ›

ERAP1 was implemented on March 8, 2021 and ended September 30, 2022. ERAP2 is currently taking applications.

The Housing First Model

Pathways to Housing PA was founded to positively transform the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges and chronic homelessness by supporting self-directed recovery and community inclusion.

To get subsidized housing, you must have a low or moderate income. Under the HUD (Housing and Urban Development) Section 8 Program and the Rural Economic and Community Development (formerly FmHA) Rental Assistance Program, part of the rent of qualifying lower income people is paid by the government.

At least 75% of the families admitted into the Section 8 Program in any fiscal year must be at or below 30% of the median income for the geographic area in which that person resides. Twenty-five percent of the families admitted may have incomes that exceed 30% of the median income for the area.

To apply, contact or visit the management office of each apartment building that interests you. To apply for either type of help, visit your local Public Housing Agency (PHA). Questions? Email or call our Public and Indian Housing Information Resource Center toll-free at (800) 955-2232.

Eligibility is determined by income and family size. Approximately 1-2 year waiting list.

The goal of the Emergency Housing Voucher program is to assist families and individuals experiencing homelessness by finding them affordable housing in the short term and establishing housing stability for them in the long term.

Which states offer the most subsidized housing units? Rhode Island had the most subsidized units per 100,000 people in 2022, with over 35 units per 1,000 people.