Lackawanna County, Scranton housing authorities accepting housing voucher applications

May 12—Lackawanna County and Scranton housing authorities are accepting applications for Section 8 housing vouchers, but deadlines to apply are fast approaching.

The County of Lackawanna Housing Authority will accept applications postmarked by Friday, said Executive Director Patrick Padula. The Scranton Housing Authority has not set a deadline, but expects to shut down the program once it receives about 500 applications. It received 403 as of Tuesday, said Gary Pelucacci, executive director.

The federally funded program helps low-income families pay rent to participating landlords. Participants receive a voucher for some or all of the rent.

The amount of assistance is based on multiple factors, including the renter's income, family size and the number of rooms in the rental.

Once an application is received, the applicant is placed on a waiting list. The authorities work their way down the lists as units become available. Wait times vary, but can be up to one to 1 1/2 years, officials said.

"It depends on the number of people who come off the list," said Johnnie Jackson, deputy executive director of Lackawanna County's housing authority. "If no one moves or leaves the area, we can't offer a voucher to anyone on the list."

Officials said they're pleased to reopen the waiting lists. Lackawanna County has not accepted any new applications since February 2019, while Scranton's list had been closed since 2018.

"It's a pretty big waiting list," Pelucacci said. "Once someone gets on the program, they tend to stay on."

For an application from Lackawanna County's housing authority visit their website, hacl.org, call 570-342-7629 or pick up a packet in person at their office, 2019 West Pine St., Dunmore.

For an application for the Scranton Housing Authority, visit their office at 400 Adams Ave., Scranton, or call 570-348-4400.

Contact the writer: tbesecker@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9137; @tmbeseckerTT on Twitter.