Bethlehem Housing Authority

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Last Updated

22 hours ago

About Bethlehem Housing Authority

Bethlehem Housing Authority (HUD agency code PA011) is the public housing agency serving Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania. It administers 1,475 public housing units and 513 Housing Choice Vouchers.

Section 8 Waitlist tracks 4 waiting lists at this agency, covering FSS, Other, HCV, Public Housing. As of Jul 15, 2026, 2 are open and 2 are closed.

Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA HUD Metro FMR Area. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $50,100 per year, and as Low Income at or below $80,150 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.

Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 5 status changes at this agency, most recently on Apr 24, 2026.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program waiting list is currently open. For application details, refer to the Bethlehem Housing Authority's website or contact them directly.

Other Programs Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now

Additional Notes

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program waitlist is open to Public Housing and Section 8 tenants in good standing with BHA who are willing to enter a five-year contract for economic self-sufficiency.

Other Programs

2 programs

These programs are administered by this housing authority but do not have active waitlist openings at this time. Statuses are verified nightly and subscribers will be notified when changes are detected.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
Closed

The Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) waiting list for Bethlehem Housing Authority is currently closed.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.
Public Housing
Closed

The waiting list is currently closed. Eligibility typically requires income eligibility and being a head of family, handicapped, or disabled, with some properties having age preferences (55+ or 62+) for elderly/disabled units.

This waitlist is currently closed. It is monitored nightly — you'll be alerted when it reopens.

Status History

Public Housing Opening Soon Apr 24, 2026
Public Housing Closed Feb 25, 2026
HCV Closed Feb 25, 2026
HCV Opened Feb 24, 2026
Public Housing Opened Feb 23, 2026

Official Application

Apply directly through the official Bethlehem Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 645 Main St
City Bethlehem, PA 18018
Phone
(610) ███-████
Email
███████@betha.com
PHA Code PA011
Section 8 Units 513
Public Housing Units 1,475

Important Notices

  • Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.

  • Ensure your contact information is always up to date with the PHA to avoid being removed from the list.

How to Apply at Bethlehem Housing Authority

1

Check Current Status

Bethlehem Housing Authority currently has 2 open waiting lists (Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Other Programs). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Bethlehem Housing Authority, you will typically need: government-issued photo ID for all adult household members, Social Security cards for all members, birth certificates for minors, proof of income (pay stubs, tax returns, benefit letters), and proof of current address. For a family of four, income must be below $50,100/year to qualify in this area. Having these ready before the waitlist opens can make the difference between getting on the list and missing the window.

3

Submit Your Application

Apply directly through the official Bethlehem Housing Authority portal. Applications are free — never pay to apply.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Bethlehem Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Bethlehem Housing Authority manages approximately 1,988 assisted housing units (513 Section 8, 1,475 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Bethlehem. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Bethlehem Housing Authority

FSS Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) open

The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program at Bethlehem Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Bethlehem. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

Other Other Programs open

The Other Programs program at Bethlehem Housing Authority provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in Bethlehem. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.

HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Bethlehem Housing Authority provides rental assistance that allows you to choose any privately-owned rental unit that meets program requirements. You pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the remainder up to the Fair Market Rent for Bethlehem. This program serves approximately 513 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing closed

Public Housing units at Bethlehem Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Bethlehem Housing Authority manages approximately 1,475 Public Housing units in Bethlehem. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is applying at Bethlehem Housing Authority free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Bethlehem Housing Authority administers 4 programs (Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS), Other Programs, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV), Public Housing) — none of which charge an application fee. If any website or person asks you to pay money to apply, it is a scam. Always apply directly through the housing authority's official portal or in person at their office at 645 Main St, Bethlehem, PA.
How long is the wait at Bethlehem Housing Authority?
Wait times at Bethlehem Housing Authority depend on demand in Bethlehem, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 1,988 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on April 24, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "closed" to "opening_soon." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Bethlehem Housing Authority directly for current estimated wait times.
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of housing authority waiting lists you can join simultaneously. There are 8 other housing authorities within 100 miles of Bethlehem Housing Authority, including Allentown Housing Authority (6 mi), Lehigh County Housing Authority (9 mi), Northampton County Housing Authority (9 mi). Applying to multiple PHAs in Pennsylvania and neighboring states is strongly recommended to increase your chances. Browse all housing authorities in Pennsylvania.
How do I contact Bethlehem Housing Authority?
Bethlehem Housing Authority's direct phone number and email address are listed in the contact panel on this page. Their office is located at 645 Main St, Bethlehem, PA 18018. Unlock the contact details to see them. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Bethlehem Housing Authority?
Income limits for Bethlehem Housing Authority are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA HUD Metro FMR Area (currently $100,200). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $50,100. Most Section 8 and Public Housing programs require your household income to be at or below this level. See the full income limits table below.

Bethlehem Housing Authority Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Bethlehem Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA HUD Metro FMR Area. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $50,100. Limits are set annually by HUD and vary by household size.

Household Size Extremely Low
30% AMI
Very Low
50% AMI
Low Income
80% AMI
1 Person $21,050 $35,100 $56,150
2 Persons $24,050 $40,100 $64,150
3 Persons $27,050 $45,100 $72,150
4 Persons $32,150 $50,100 $80,150
5 Persons $37,650 $54,150 $86,600
6 Persons $43,150 $58,150 $93,000
7 Persons $48,650 $62,150 $99,400
8 Persons $54,150 $66,150 $105,800
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $100,200 Effective April 1, 2025
What do these income limits mean?

Extremely Low Income (30% AMI) — Households earning at or below 30% of the Area Median Income. This is the threshold for the lowest-income tier of assistance. Many housing authorities give preference to applicants at this level.

Very Low Income (50% AMI) — The standard eligibility threshold for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and most Public Housing programs. Your household income must be at or below this limit to qualify.

Low Income (80% AMI) — Some programs, including Project-Based Vouchers and certain local initiatives, use this higher threshold. Check with this housing authority for specific program requirements.