Help me understand housing subsidies in Pennsylvania.
June 17, 2015 6:09 PM Subscribe
My family and I are moving to Pennsylvania for work. My 67 year old mother, who currently lives with us, will be moving as well. My mother was on disability (for Muscular Dystrophy), and is now on a meager (~$1100/mo) Social Security Check. I'm certain that she's eligible for some kind of subsidies, but I can't figure out what subsidies, where they can be used, and who to ask. Help!
We're moving to Montgomery county, just north of Philadelphia, on July 22nd. This job opportunity fell into our laps in April, so this whole move has been extremely fast paced. My younger brother was supposed to be locating her an apartment, and working with her to figure out the available subsidies, but he essentially dropped the ball, so I need to figure this all out, fast. I want to have the apartment rented for her to move in more or less when we move in to the new house.
Relevant facts and questions
*I'm currently willing and able to pay for an apartment, and I expect to do so for some time (a year or two) while she waits on a list. I'd like to have the subsidy take some or all of the burden of me and my family.
*I don't understand what kind of subsidies she'd be eligible for, or who to ask. My brother claims to have called some housing counseling and not gotten call backs. I've found a variety of organizations to call, but I'm in the position that I need to make some housing decisions *now*, and then apply for the subsidies
*I don't understand where what subsidies can be used. I don't want her to be stuck in a slum an hour away from me. Some kinds of vouchers (like Housing Choice Vouchers), are portable, but there's some verbage about "finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program."
*I'm really trying to avoid moving her into an apartment, and then finding out that no subsidy will work there, and having to move her.
Any advice, insights, experience, contacts, anecdotes, or encouragement would be deeply appreciated
We're moving to Montgomery county, just north of Philadelphia, on July 22nd. This job opportunity fell into our laps in April, so this whole move has been extremely fast paced. My younger brother was supposed to be locating her an apartment, and working with her to figure out the available subsidies, but he essentially dropped the ball, so I need to figure this all out, fast. I want to have the apartment rented for her to move in more or less when we move in to the new house.
Relevant facts and questions
*I'm currently willing and able to pay for an apartment, and I expect to do so for some time (a year or two) while she waits on a list. I'd like to have the subsidy take some or all of the burden of me and my family.
*I don't understand what kind of subsidies she'd be eligible for, or who to ask. My brother claims to have called some housing counseling and not gotten call backs. I've found a variety of organizations to call, but I'm in the position that I need to make some housing decisions *now*, and then apply for the subsidies
*I don't understand where what subsidies can be used. I don't want her to be stuck in a slum an hour away from me. Some kinds of vouchers (like Housing Choice Vouchers), are portable, but there's some verbage about "finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program."
*I'm really trying to avoid moving her into an apartment, and then finding out that no subsidy will work there, and having to move her.
Any advice, insights, experience, contacts, anecdotes, or encouragement would be deeply appreciated
I grew up in Philly, and the two resources that come to my mind are the PA Department of Aging, and the Montgomery County Office of Aging and Adult Services (MCAAS). I think the MontCo office may be a local office for the PA agency. I don't really have much more insight than that other to say my mom got reduced price prescription through the PACE program and the paperwork involved did not seem to be that burdensome to her.
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:43 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by Rob Rockets at 6:43 PM on June 17, 2015 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone! I'll try making these calls this morning!
As to why she can't live with us: We've done that with an in-law apartment for the last 8 years. It's not really working out anymore. We all need a little more space/separation.
posted by JonahBlack at 5:55 AM on June 18, 2015
As to why she can't live with us: We've done that with an in-law apartment for the last 8 years. It's not really working out anymore. We all need a little more space/separation.
posted by JonahBlack at 5:55 AM on June 18, 2015
Response by poster: I called the Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. They were very helpful, and directed me to their counterparts in Montgomery County. When I called MCAAS, they voicemail message indicated that I may have to wait 2 days for a call back.
The PCA rep suggested that she'd be limited to specific housing developments. I haven't looked at this, but that suggest the projects, which I'm not keen on.
Rent Rebates sound like what I'm looking for, but if I'm reading this right, then the total yearly rebate is only $650 for incomes <1>
To reiterate, I'm willing and able to pay for an apartment for her indefinitely, but if she's eligible for subsidies, then I'd much prefer to utilize them and direct the additional funds to better her quality of life.
posted by JonahBlack at 6:48 AM on June 18, 2015
The PCA rep suggested that she'd be limited to specific housing developments. I haven't looked at this, but that suggest the projects, which I'm not keen on.
Rent Rebates sound like what I'm looking for, but if I'm reading this right, then the total yearly rebate is only $650 for incomes <1>
To reiterate, I'm willing and able to pay for an apartment for her indefinitely, but if she's eligible for subsidies, then I'd much prefer to utilize them and direct the additional funds to better her quality of life.
posted by JonahBlack at 6:48 AM on June 18, 2015
She would likely only be eligible for low-income housing - which is often known as 'projects'. Housing vouchers to rent anywhere are generally given to people in the greatest need - so homeless, largely. Also, they have a maximum amount they'll compensate, which is generally low. You might not like the quality of the place you could get for her for their voucher.
posted by corb at 10:06 AM on June 18, 2015
posted by corb at 10:06 AM on June 18, 2015
The Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly know as Section 8, is administered through the Montgomery County Housing Authority. Their website says they are not currently accepting applications for the HCVS8 program right now, but you might want to keep an eye out for future waitlist openings. HCVS8 works by paying a portion of the tenant's rent, and there are indeed restrictions regarding unit size, maximum rent, etc, that are probably not terribly relevant right now, since the Housing Authority is not accepting applications. (If anyone wants details about how Section 8 works, MeMail me-- I work for a Housing Authority)
It does look like the Montgomery HA has some Public Housing units, both general housing and housing for elderly and disabled. I strongly recommend that you reconsider your lack of keen-ness for Public Housing (often called "the projects") and look into these as a possible option. Some Public Housing was (and is) in poor condition and badly run, but some properties are well-managed and in good condition-- and Public Housing units are subject to regulations that limit rent increases for tenants in ways that Section 8 and other subsidy programs do not.
I'm not personally familiar with the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, but they appear to be accepting applications for their affordable housing program and it looks like your mom is within income limits. They also list a number of properties that are probably below-market rentals with regulations that restrict rent levels. I would look through these listings and see if there are any properties you are interested in checking out further. You will likely have to contact the property manager directly to find out about waitlists and such-- you should do that as soon as you realistically can, as the waitlists at some affordable properties can be very long. As a bonus, if your mom does move into a regulated affordable unit and then manages to receive Section 8 at some future point, it's pretty common for regulated affordable units to fit nicely within Section 8 guidelines-- so she wouldn't need to move to get that additional subsidy.
posted by Kpele at 11:47 AM on June 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
It does look like the Montgomery HA has some Public Housing units, both general housing and housing for elderly and disabled. I strongly recommend that you reconsider your lack of keen-ness for Public Housing (often called "the projects") and look into these as a possible option. Some Public Housing was (and is) in poor condition and badly run, but some properties are well-managed and in good condition-- and Public Housing units are subject to regulations that limit rent increases for tenants in ways that Section 8 and other subsidy programs do not.
I'm not personally familiar with the Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, but they appear to be accepting applications for their affordable housing program and it looks like your mom is within income limits. They also list a number of properties that are probably below-market rentals with regulations that restrict rent levels. I would look through these listings and see if there are any properties you are interested in checking out further. You will likely have to contact the property manager directly to find out about waitlists and such-- you should do that as soon as you realistically can, as the waitlists at some affordable properties can be very long. As a bonus, if your mom does move into a regulated affordable unit and then manages to receive Section 8 at some future point, it's pretty common for regulated affordable units to fit nicely within Section 8 guidelines-- so she wouldn't need to move to get that additional subsidy.
posted by Kpele at 11:47 AM on June 18, 2015 [2 favorites]
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posted by modernhypatia at 6:26 PM on June 17, 2015