Philadelphia Sees Huge Demand for Vouchers
The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) reports that it received an overwhelming 54,000 applications for its Housing Choice Voucher Program during a recent two-week period.
Using an online application system for the first time, the housing authority received 33,000 applications, or 61 percent, through the Web. Another 21,000 applications came via telephone. PHA recruited employees from all of its departments to work shifts taking calls.
The demand shows that even more families, seniors and disabled citizens need help paying their rent than initially thought, according to Executive Director Carl Greene.
PHA estimates that each year about 2,500 voucher holders leave the program, creating opportunities for those on a waiting list.
With 17,000 households, the voucher is PHA's largest program.
Using an online application system for the first time, the housing authority received 33,000 applications, or 61 percent, through the Web. Another 21,000 applications came via telephone. PHA recruited employees from all of its departments to work shifts taking calls.
The demand shows that even more families, seniors and disabled citizens need help paying their rent than initially thought, according to Executive Director Carl Greene.
PHA estimates that each year about 2,500 voucher holders leave the program, creating opportunities for those on a waiting list.
With 17,000 households, the voucher is PHA's largest program.
posted by Donna Kimura at 4:41 PM
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