Housing Authority of the County of Chester
West Chester, Pennsylvania
Last Updated
19 hours ago
About Housing Authority of the County of Chester
The Housing Authority of the County of Chester (PHA Code: PA046), located in West Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, manages approximately 2,700 assisted housing units. This total includes 2,457 Housing Choice Vouchers and 243 Public Housing units.
Currently, the Authority is accepting applications for its Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program and other unspecified housing programs. Programs such as Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), Mainstream, and Family Unification Program (FUP) are currently closed to new applicants. Public Housing is also closed, but recent activity indicates it may open for applications soon. For a family of four, the Very Low Income limit for this area (Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA) is $59,700 per year.
Other Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral only
Additional Notes
The Family Unification Program is open by referral only, with no in-person or online applications.
Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Multiple
Additional Notes
The wait list is open for Project Based Vouchers. Project Based Vouchers are applied for at the specific site or at our main Housing Authority office in West Chester.
View original notice — haccnet.orgother Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
Referral Only
Additional Notes
The Family Unification Program application is by referral only.
Other Programs
5 programsThese 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.
Two new voucher programs are also open. Application is by referral only. No in person or online applications can be made. These programs are called Mainstream Vouchers and the Family Unification Program.
The regular wait list is closed. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) formerly known as "Section 8" allows eligible participants who receive vouchers to search for their housing.
Two new voucher programs are also open. Application is by referral only. No in person or online applications can be made. These programs are called Mainstream Vouchers and the Family Unification Program.
The community-wide Public Housing Waiting List is currently closed.
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance, allowing housing authorities to leverage private funding for property rehabilitation while preserving long-term affordability for residents.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Housing Authority of the County of Chester directly at (610) 436-9200 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
Contact the housing authority directly for application information.
WARNING: DO NOT PAY ANYONE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING
Contact Information
Important Notices
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Waiting lists can close without notice once a specific number of applications is reached.
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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 Chester
Check Current Status
Housing Authority of the County of Chester currently has 3 open waiting lists (Other, PBV, other). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Housing Authority of the County of Chester, 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 $59,700/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.
Submit Your Application
Contact Housing Authority of the County of Chester directly at (610) 436-9200 to request an application. Applications are always free — never pay anyone to apply on your behalf.
After You Apply
Once accepted onto the waiting list at Housing Authority of the County of Chester, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Housing Authority of the County of Chester manages approximately 2,700 assisted housing units (2,457 Section 8, 243 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in West Chester. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Housing Authority of the County of Chester
Other open
The Other program at Housing Authority of the County of Chester provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in West Chester. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
PBV Project-Based Voucher open
Project-Based Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Chester are attached to specific apartment complexes or units in West Chester. Unlike the standard Housing Choice Voucher, PBV assistance stays with the property — not with you. However, after one year of occupancy, you may request a standard portable voucher. PBV waitlists often move faster because fewer applicants know about them.
other open
The other program at Housing Authority of the County of Chester provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in West Chester. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
FUP closed
The FUP program at Housing Authority of the County of Chester provides housing assistance to eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in West Chester. Contact the housing authority directly for specific program details and eligibility requirements.
HCV Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Housing Authority of the County of Chester 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 West Chester. This program serves approximately 2,457 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Mainstream Mainstream Voucher closed
Mainstream Vouchers at Housing Authority of the County of Chester are specifically designated for non-elderly individuals with disabilities. These vouchers work like standard HCVs but are reserved for this population and often have separate, shorter waitlists.
Public Housing Public Housing closed
Public Housing units at Housing Authority of the County of Chester 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 Chester manages approximately 243 Public Housing units in West Chester. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
RAD Rental Assistance Demonstration closed
The Rental Assistance Demonstration program at Housing Authority of the County of Chester converts Public Housing units to project-based assistance with long-term contracts. RAD units in West Chester maintain the same resident protections as Public Housing while enabling capital improvements to the properties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Housing Authority of the County of Chester free?
How long is the wait at Housing Authority of the County of Chester?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Housing Authority of the County of Chester?
What are the income limits for Housing Authority of the County of Chester?
Housing Authority of the County of Chester Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Housing Authority of the County of Chester are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $59,700. 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 | $25,100 | $41,800 | $66,850 |
| 2 Persons | $28,650 | $47,800 | $76,400 |
| 3 Persons | $32,250 | $53,750 | $85,950 |
| 4 Persons | $35,800 | $59,700 | $95,500 |
| 5 Persons | $38,700 | $64,500 | $103,150 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $69,300 | $110,800 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $74,050 | $118,450 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $78,850 | $126,100 |
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.
Nearby Housing Authorities
Applying to multiple housing authorities increases your chances of receiving assistance. These PHAs are closest to Housing Authority of the County of Chester — including across state lines.