The Venango County Housing Authority currently administers two (2) separate programs.
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program assists lower income persons, elderly and persons with disabilities to obtain decent, safe and affordable housing in Venango County with housing assistance payments. The amount of rent assistance will depend on the size of your household and the income received by all family members.
The Authority owns and operates a 20 - unit Public Housing community known as Cherry Hill Apartments, located at 19 Rockwood Avenue, Oil City, Cornplanter Township. This community exists to assists lower income persons, elderly and persons with disabilities to have a decent, safe and affordable place to live. Rent costs are determined by the family size and income.
Both Programs are funded by grants provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The Venango County Housing Authority administers these programs through an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD through the Pittsburgh Field Office.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
6 Steps from Start to Move-In...
Step 1:
Call our office at (814) 677-5926 and request a Pre-Application packet which will generally be mailed out that same day. Or, stop by the office and personally receive it. The Pre-Application must be returned to us no later than 14 days or you will be removed from the Waiting List.
Step 2:
Once we receive the Pre-Application, a Tenant Information Form (TIF) will be mailed to you to complete. We require a copy of the birth certificate and social security card for each household member. We also require copies of the last 6 paystubs from your employment, if applicable, and proof of all other income received by or on behalf of household members. This includes Social Security benefits, cash assistance, SSP, child support and all other money received including cash gifts. Child support recipients must provide three (3) months of current payments received. You may also provide us with proof of child care expenses you have recently paid. If you have no income, you will be required to provide a notarized statement verifying you have no earned or unearned income. If you lived in another state, you will be required to provide the address(es) of your prior residence(s).
Step 3:
A staff member will conduct a criminal history background check for each adult member of the household at our expense. Additionally, we conduct checks through national and state sex offender databases.
Step 4:
If all information has been received and all requirements are met, you will be issued a Voucher and a Landlord Packet. You should look for a house, apartment or other residence which will meet your needs and which is owned by a Landlord who does or will participate in the Section 8 Program. Once you locate a safe and decent housing unit for which you qualify, and the owner will participate in this program, give the owner the Landlord Packet and ask that it be completed and returned to us as soon as possible.
Step 5:
Once the Landlord has completed and submitted the Packet, you must call our office at (814) 677-5926 and schedule and appointment for an inspection. Our Inspector(s) will conduct the inspection on the housing unit applying the Housing Quality Standards as set forth by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. If the housing unit fails the inspection, you and the Landlord will be notified promptly in writing with a copy of the inspection report listing deficiencies. Once all repairs have been made, you must call us at (814) 677-5926 and schedule a new appointment for a re-inspection.
Step 6:
Once the housing unit has passed the inspection, you will need to enter into a written lease with the Landlord. The lease must be acceptable to us. If everything is in order, we enter into a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract with the Landlord. You are then ready to move in and enjoy your new residence.
Public Housing
4 Steps from Start to Move-In...
Step 1:
Call our office at (814) 677-5926 and request a Pre-Application packet which will generally be mailed out that same day. Or, stop by the office and personally receive it. The Pre-Application must be returned to us no later than 14 days or you will be removed from the Waiting List.
Step 2:
Once we receive the Pre-Application, a Tenant Information Form (TIF) will be mailed to you to complete. We require a copy of the birth certificate and social security card for each household member. We also require copies of the last 6 paystubs from your employment, if applicable, and proof of all other income received by or on behalf of household members. This includes Social Security benefits, cash assistance, SSP, child support and all other money received including cash gifts. Child support recipients must provide three (3) months of current payments received. You may also provide us with proof of child care expenses you have recently paid. If you have no income, you will be required to provide a notarized statement verifying you have no earned or unearned income. If you lived in another state, you will be required to provide the address(es) of your prior residence(s).
Step 3:
A staff member will conduct a criminal history background check for each adult member of the household at our expense. The criminal records are requested through the Pennsylvania State Police. Additionally, we conduct checks through national and state sex offender databases.
Step 4:
Once all of your information is received, reviewed and found acceptable, you will be cleared for residency at Cherry Hill Apartments once an apartment becomes available for which your family qualifies and you are next on the list of qualified families. A lease must be executed and a security deposit of $99.00 paid. All pets must first be approved by Management and you will be required to pay a separate $300.00 pet deposit and execute a separate pet rider to the lease. Rent is determined by your household composition, income and other factors which will be discussed in advance of signing a lease.
For complete Public Housing operations details for admissions and occupancy, please ask to see the Admissions and Continuing Occupancy Policy (ACOP).
We are an Equal Housing Opportunity provider and
an Equal Opportunity Employer
Copyright 2010. Housing Authority of the County of Venango. All rights reserved.