Subsidized Housing

Subsidized housing helps people of low and moderate income who need a little economic assistance to cover the rising cost of housing. For more than 50 years, Brandywine Communities has worked to develop, manage, and advocate for affordable housing for Allegheny County’s elderly, people with special needs, and families with low to moderate incomes.

A Section 8 voucher refers to a specific kind of subsidy that allows the recipient to live in an affordable housing option of their choice. As long as a landlord agrees to participate, the Section 8 voucher will cover part of the cost of rent. Some Brandywine Communities properties participate in the Allegheny County Housing Authorities' Section 8 Housing Voucher Program and the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh.

Rent is based on income and the remaining portion is paid by the local Housing Authority or HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development). Residents pay 30% of their monthly income for rent. Each resident in a subsidized unit must be re-certified annually to determine continued eligibility for the program. If a resident’s income changes, they are required to notify us so that we can adjust their rent amount.

For income-eligible tenants, rent is a fixed-rate that differs based on site and size of unit, but is lower than rent at market rate apartments. Rent for the low-income tax credit program apartments is not based on the resident's income and does not change if the resident's income changes. All households are re-certified annually to verify continued eligibility. Income limits are listed in description of available apartments. Projected rent and utility payments must be under 50% of household gross annual income to be considered affordable.