To find out if you live in project-based housing with the subsidy administered by the PHA Project-Based Department, you may look up your rental property or find your property on this PHA Project-Based Department list.
NOTE: Some project-based housing developments administer their own subsidies. If you live in project-based housing and PHA is not involved, please see HUD Project-Based Housing (Section 8, Section 202, Section 811).
Recertification
- Regular Recertification. PHA Project-Based tenants recertify their household information and income every two years. They can submit information and documents online, by mail or in person at 2013 Ridge Ave. Important note: Some PHA Project-Based tenants will also have to recertify annually with their property manager for compliance with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
- Interim Recertification. If there are changes in household size or income between recertifications, the tenant may request an interim recertification to add/remove a household member or reduce the rent. PHA Project-Based tenants do not need to report increases in income between recertifications unless they told PHA they had zero income at their last recertification.
- Rent Calculation. PHA Project-Based tenant rent is calculated as approximately 26-28% of their monthly income minus a utility allowance. All tenants who pay for utilities have a utility allowance included in their rent calculation.
- For more information about recertifications in PHA Project-Based housing, go to Chapters 8, 9, 10 and 16 of the PHA Administrative Plan.
Transfer/Moves
- Requesting transfer. Tenants who want to move from their PHA Project-Based unit may submit a transfer request to their property manager. The property manager may facilitate transfer to a different unit within the same development or another development owned by the same owner.
- Domestic Violence Transfers. If a tenant needs to move for reasons related to violence in the home from an intimate partner or family member, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) requires the PHA Project-Based development owner to assist with transfer if they own other project-based developments. If the owner does not have an available unit, then PHA is required to facilitate transfer to a different PHA Project-Based unit or in certain circumstances issue a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher.
- Repair Transfers. For transfers due to failed inspection, PHA is required to facilitate transfers to a different PHA Project-Based unit or in certain circumstances issue a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher
- Moving Out. If a tenant is evicted or moves out of a PHA Project-Based unit voluntarily, they lose their housing subsidy.
- For more information about transfers in PHA Project-Based housing, see Chapters 17 and 23 of the PHA Administrative Plan.
Repairs
- Requesting repairs. PHA Project-Based tenants may request repairs by phone or by mailing a letter to the management office or owner.
- Inspections. PHA inspects PHA Project-Based units every two years. Tenants may request a PHA inspection by phone 215-684-2285 or by email hcvinspections@pha.phila.gov. PHA is required to stop payments to the landlord after two consecutive failed inspections.
- For more information about a tenant’s legal rights to address repair issues, go to Repairs.
Eviction
- Good Cause Protection. PHA Project-Based owners must renew leases at the end of a lease term and can only terminate a lease for non-payment of rent or breach of a condition of the lease.
- For additional information about the eviction process, go to Evictions.
Rules & Regulations
- The PHA Administrative Plan outlines the rules for project-based housing administered by the PHA Project-Based department.
- Many of the housing developments administered by the PHA Project-Based department are also Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing, so tenants may also be asked to comply with LIHTC regulations as established by the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA).