Wilkes Barre Housing Authority
Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
Last Updated
22 hours ago
About Wilkes Barre Housing Authority
Wilkes Barre Housing Authority (HUD agency code PA047) is the public housing agency serving Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. It administers 893 public housing units and 967 Housing Choice Vouchers.
Section 8 Waitlist tracks 2 waiting lists at this agency, covering Public Housing, HCV. As of Oct 5, 2026, 1 is open and 1 is closed.
Income eligibility is set by HUD for the Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA. A four-person household qualifies as Very Low Income at or below $41,850 per year, and as Low Income at or below $66,950 (HUD FY2025 limits). Most waiting lists at this agency apply the Very Low Income threshold.
Section 8 Waitlist has recorded 10 status changes at this agency, most recently on Jul 2, 2026.
Public Housing Waitlist
Status
open
How to Apply
In-person, Mail
Additional Notes
Applicants residing within the county must pick up applications in-person; out-of-county applicants can request applications by mail. All completed applications must be hand-delivered. Preferences include veteran, disabled, elderly, or living and/or working in Wilkes Barre.
Other Programs
1 programThese 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.
The waiting list was last opened and closed on October 4, 2026. Preferences include residency in Wilkes-Barre, working/elderly/disabled status, veteran's preference, and job training preference.
Status History
Official Application
Contact Wilkes Barre Housing Authority directly 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
-
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 Wilkes Barre Housing Authority
Check Current Status
Wilkes Barre Housing Authority currently has 1 open waiting list (Public Housing). Application windows can close with little notice, so apply as soon as possible.
Gather Required Documents
For Section 8 voucher programs at Wilkes Barre 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 $41,850/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 Wilkes Barre Housing Authority directly at 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 Wilkes Barre Housing Authority, keep your contact information updated. Most housing authorities will remove applicants who cannot be reached. Wilkes Barre Housing Authority manages approximately 1,860 assisted housing units (967 Section 8, 893 Public Housing), and wait times depend on turnover and demand in Wilkes Barre. You will be notified when your name reaches the top of the list for eligibility verification.
Programs at Wilkes Barre Housing Authority
Public Housing Public Housing open
Public Housing units at Wilkes Barre Housing Authority are owned and operated directly by the housing authority. Rent is set at 30% of your adjusted monthly income. Wilkes Barre Housing Authority manages approximately 893 Public Housing units in Wilkes Barre. You may request a transfer to other Public Housing developments but cannot use this benefit at private rental properties.
HCV Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) closed
The Housing Choice Voucher program at Wilkes Barre 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 Wilkes Barre. This program serves approximately 967 households. Vouchers are portable — you can take them with you if you move to a different city or state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is applying at Wilkes Barre Housing Authority free?
How long is the wait at Wilkes Barre Housing Authority?
Can I apply to other housing authorities while on this waitlist?
How do I contact Wilkes Barre Housing Authority?
What are the income limits for Wilkes Barre Housing Authority?
Wilkes Barre Housing Authority Income Limits
Income limits for programs at the Wilkes Barre Housing Authority are based on the Area Median Income (AMI) for Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA MSA. For a household of four, the current limit for Section 8 eligibility (Very Low Income) is $41,850. 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 | $17,600 | $29,300 | $46,900 |
| 2 Persons | $21,150 | $33,500 | $53,600 |
| 3 Persons | $26,650 | $37,700 | $60,300 |
| 4 Persons | $32,150 | $41,850 | $66,950 |
| 5 Persons | $37,650 | $45,200 | $72,350 |
| 6 Persons | $43,150 | $48,550 | $77,700 |
| 7 Persons | $48,650 | $51,900 | $83,050 |
| 8 Persons | $54,150 | $55,250 | $88,400 |
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 Wilkes Barre Housing Authority — including across state lines.