Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program provides rental assistance in the form of a voucher to low-income families who wish to live in privately owned housing. Eligible applicants will be issued a "Housing Choice Voucher". Holders are responsible for finding their own suitable housing with Schuylkill County (excluding the City of Pottsville) based upon the size of their family and the requirements of the program. Participants pay only a portion of the rent, which is between 30% and 40% of a family's adjusted gross income, utilities and other factors.

Section 8

The following Payment Standards are effective October 1, 2024 for all new Housing Assistance Payment Contracts and Annual Reexaminations with an effective date of November 1, 2024:

Portability

Port-in Instructions

If a family is interested in transferring their voucher to the Schuylkill County Housing Authority (SCHA), they must first contact their Initial Housing Authority (IHA) and request portability. The Schuylkill County Housing Authority’s jurisdiction covers the entire county of Schuylkill excluding the City of Pottsville.

Completed portability paperwork should be sent to:

Schuylkill County Housing Authority
245 Parkway
Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972
Phone: (570) 385-3400 ext. 128
Fax: (570) 385-7695
Email: lhale@schcoha.org

Once the completed portability packet is received from the IHA, the family will be mailed a packet to complete and return to SCHA with all requested documentation. Once SCHA receives the completed packet, SCHA will contact you to pick up the portability packet and the voucher from SCHA. SCHA must have the following information for all household members:

• Copies of Birth Certificates
• Copies of Social Security Cards
• Current income verifications

The Receiving Housing Authority (RHA), SCHA, abides by the issue and expiration dates of the voucher that was issued by the family’s IHA. SCHA will automatically extend the expiration date of the voucher an additional 30 days in accordance with HUD Portability policies. Please use your voucher time wisely and be aware of the expiration date. The family will need to contact their IHA to request any extensions on the voucher, and the IHA will need to send SCHA the updated paperwork.

SCHA is not responsible for any rental assistance until the unit has passed inspection and the dwelling lease and housing assistance payments contract is executed.

Port-out Instructions

If a family is interested in porting their voucher to another jurisdiction, they must:

• Provide written notice to their landlord in accordance with the lease and provide SCHA a copy of the written notice.
• The family must be in good standing with their landlord (rent paid and not be in violation of the lease).
• The family must complete the request for portability form and return it to SCHA.
• If the family is eligible for portability, their paperwork will be forwarded to the requested housing authority.
• Once the paperwork is sent, it will be the family’s responsibility to contact the RHA to complete the portability process.

Please pay attention to the expiration date of your voucher. If you need additional time, you must request the extension from Schuylkill County Housing Authority.

Applicants must reside within the jurisdiction of the Schuylkill County Housing Authority for a period of at least 1 year prior to exercising portability options.