Housing Authority of the County of Mckean

Smethport, Pennsylvania

Last Updated

19 hours ago

About Housing Authority of the County of Mckean

The Housing Authority of the County of McKean, based in Smethport, McKean County, Pennsylvania, offers housing assistance programs to eligible residents. Currently, both its Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program and Public Housing program are open for applications, providing opportunities for individuals and families seeking housing assistance.

This Authority manages approximately 896 assisted housing units across its programs. This includes 552 units supported by Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and 344 units designated as Public Housing. Eligibility for these programs is determined by income limits. For instance, a very low-income family of four in the McKean County, PA area typically faces an income limit of $42,250 per year.

Applicants interested in housing assistance are encouraged to reach out directly to the Housing Authority of the County of McKean to understand specific eligibility requirements and obtain application forms.

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Accepting applications — no deadline
Open until further notice
Open Now
Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preferences include McKean County residency for 6+ months, elderly, disabled, veteran, active military, working 20+ hours/week, and victim of domestic violence; a super preference exists for natural disaster displacement.

Public Housing Waitlist

Status

open

How to Apply

Multiple

Apply Now — Official Portal

Additional Notes

Preferences include McKean County residency for 6+ months, elderly, disabled, veteran, active military, working 20+ hours/week, and victim of domestic violence; a super preference exists for natural disaster displacement.

Status History

Public Housing Opened Feb 19, 2026
Public Housing unknown Feb 18, 2026

Official Application

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

Go to Official Site

WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING

Contact Information

Address 415 W Main St
City Smethport, PA 16749
PHA Code PA080
Section 8 Units 552
Public Housing Units 344

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 Housing Authority of the County of Mckean

1

Check Current Status

Housing Authority of the County of Mckean currently has 2 open waiting lists (HCV, Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.

2

Gather Required Documents

For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean, 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 $42,250/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 Housing Authority of the County of Mckean portal. Applications are free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf. If applying online, take a screenshot of your confirmation page for your records.

4

After You Apply

Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Mckean manages approximately 896 assisted housing units (552 Section 8, 344 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Smethport. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.

Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean

HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) open

The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean 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 Smethport. This program serves approximately 552 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.

Public Housing Public Housing open

Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Housing Authority of the County of Mckean manages approximately 344 Public Housing units in Smethport. 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 Housing Authority of the County of Mckean free?
Yes. Applying for any federally-funded housing assistance program is always free. Housing Authority of the County of Mckean administers 2 programs (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 415 W Main St, Smethport, PA.
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean?
Wait times at Housing Authority of the County of Mckean depend on demand in Smethport, funding levels, and your priority status. With approximately 896 assisted housing units, turnover determines how quickly the list moves. The most recent status change we tracked was on February 19, 2026 when the Public Housing list changed from "unknown" to "open." Families with children, elderly applicants, and disabled individuals may receive priority placement. Contact Housing Authority of the County of Mckean 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 Housing Authority of the County of Mckean, including Olean Housing Authority (19 mi), County of Potter Housing Authority (22 mi), Housing Authority of the County of Elk (25 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 Housing Authority of the County of Mckean?
You can reach Housing Authority of the County of Mckean by phone at (814) 887-5563. Their office is located at 415 W Main St, Smethport, PA 16749. You can also email them at JRieck@mcrha.org. Office hours may vary — call ahead to confirm.
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Mckean?
Income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Mckean are set by HUD based on the Area Median Income for McKean County, PA (currently $84,700). For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit (50% AMI) is $42,250. 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.

Housing Authority of the County of Mckean Income Limits

Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Mckean are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for McKean County, PA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $42,250. 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 $17,750 $29,600 $47,350
2 Persons $21,150 $33,800 $54,100
3 Persons $26,650 $38,050 $60,850
4 Persons $32,150 $42,250 $67,600
5 Persons $37,650 $45,650 $73,050
6 Persons $43,150 $49,000 $78,450
7 Persons $48,650 $52,400 $83,850
8 Persons $54,150 $55,800 $89,250
Source: HUD FY 2025 Income Limits Area Median Income: $84,700 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.