Voucher-Friendly Housing in Philadelphia

PHA is one of the largest public housing authorities in the country, serving the city of Philadelphia. It operates traditional developments — such as Wilson Park, Bartram Village, and Raymond Rosen — along with mixed-income communities and the Housing Choice Voucher program. Rent in PHA public housing is income-based, set at roughly 30% of adjusted household income.

PHA maintains waitlists for public housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program. Waitlists open and close periodically depending on availability and funding. Applicants can list development preferences and are contacted as units become available. Check current waitlist status directly with PHA before applying.

Philadelphia's Fair Practices Ordinance prohibits source-of-income discrimination — most landlords are barred from refusing to rent to you simply because you would pay with a Housing Choice Voucher, and the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations still accepts and processes these complaints. One important caveat: in 2022 the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down Pittsburgh's similar ordinance, holding that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act did not give cities that authority. That ruling has cast legal doubt on whether Philadelphia's ordinance is ultimately enforceable, and Pennsylvania has no statewide protection. The ordinance remains in effect and is still enforced locally, but if a landlord rejects your voucher it is worth contacting the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations or a legal aid provider to confirm where the law currently stands.

Apply through the Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) at pha.phila.gov when waitlists are open. Rent is based on income (about 30% of adjusted household income); eligibility is generally limited to households at or below local income limits. Call PHA at (215) 684-4000 for current waitlist information.