Luzerne Section 8 Calculator — Luzerne County Income Limits & Rent Estimate

Housing Authority Serving Luzerne

• Agency: Luzerne County Housing Authority (LCHA)
• Jurisdiction: Luzerne Borough & Luzerne County, PA (county-wide)
• Waiting list status: Opens periodically — monitor lchaonline.org
• Application portal: lchaonline.org
• Main office: 35 E Union St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
• Phone: (570) 825-5475

Luzerne Borough is a small community of approximately 2,800 residents situated along the Susquehanna River in the Wyoming Valley, adjacent to Wilkes-Barre. The borough sits at the heart of Luzerne County’s post-industrial landscape — a region that has reinvented itself over the past two decades around healthcare (Geisinger, CommonSpirit), Amazon and other logistics operations, and regional retail. Luzerne County’s lower median income relative to the national average, combined with an aging housing stock and limited new construction, creates persistent need for rental assistance programs. The Luzerne County Housing Authority (LCHA) is the primary administrator of Housing Choice Vouchers for Luzerne Borough and all of Luzerne County, operating from its headquarters in Wilkes-Barre.

LCHA also manages several public housing developments across the county and works with Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services and local service agencies to connect voucher holders with employment assistance, childcare support, and emergency services. The agency’s relatively small service area — compared to large urban PHAs — allows for a more direct relationship between case managers and program participants, which can be advantageous during the housing search and inspection phases of the voucher process.

Income Limits & Fair Market Rent in Luzerne County

Luzerne County is part of the Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton, PA HUD Metropolitan Statistical Area. The 2026 Area Median Income for this MSA is approximately $72,000 for a family of four — reflecting a northeastern Pennsylvania economy where wages have historically trailed coastal metros but where housing costs remain correspondingly lower. Eligibility thresholds:

Household Size	30% AMI (Extremely Low)	50% AMI (Very Low)	80% AMI (Low)
1 person	$18,500	$30,800	$49,300
2 persons	$21,150	$35,200	$56,300
4 persons	$26,400	$44,000	$70,400
6 persons	$31,650	$52,800	$84,500

HUD’s 2026 Fair Market Rents for Scranton–Wilkes-Barre–Hazleton are approximately: Studio $700 · 1BR $850 · 2BR $1,050 · 3BR $1,350 · 4BR $1,600. These FMRs reflect one of the country’s most affordable large rental markets. Luzerne County’s supply of older single-family homes and small multi-unit buildings means that many rental units across Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Kingston, and surrounding boroughs fall comfortably within these FMR ranges. Voucher holders in this market typically find more eligible units per search than in coastal metros, reducing time-to-occupancy after voucher issuance.

Run your Luzerne rent estimate →

How to Apply for Section 8 in Luzerne

1. Contact LCHA to verify waiting list status — Call (570) 825-5475 or visit lchaonline.org to confirm whether the HCV list is currently accepting applications and learn about any scheduled opening dates.
2. Prepare your full documentation package — Photo ID for all adults, Social Security cards or numbers for everyone in the household, recent pay stubs or benefit award letters for all income sources, and birth certificates or school records for children.
3. Submit your application promptly — LCHA accepts applications at 35 E Union St, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701, and through online channels when available. Apply as early as possible and retain all confirmation documentation.
4. Apply to Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority as well — The Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority operates independently of LCHA and maintains its own waiting list for city residents. Applying to both agencies maximizes your options.
5. Notify LCHA of any changes to your household or contact information — Update LCHA immediately with new mailing addresses, phone numbers, or changes in household composition to prevent removal from the waiting list.
6. Prepare for the eligibility interview — When your name is reached, bring originals of all documents for all household members. Once approved, you’ll have a set search window — typically 60–90 days — to locate and lease an eligible unit.

Waiting List Tips for Luzerne

• Apply to Wilkes-Barre Housing Authority too: The city of Wilkes-Barre operates its own housing authority with a separate HCV waiting list. If you’re open to living in Wilkes-Barre, applying to both LCHA and WBHA improves your chances.
• Explore Hazleton Housing Authority: Hazleton is Luzerne County’s second-largest city and has its own housing authority. If you’re flexible about location within the county, apply to Hazleton as well.
• Ask about public housing waitlists: LCHA manages public housing developments that may have shorter wait times than the HCV tenant-based list. These are location-specific units but can provide immediate access to subsidized housing.
• Contact NEPA Alliance or local nonprofits: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance and local community action programs offer housing counseling, emergency rental assistance, and utility help that can support you while you wait for a voucher.
• Dial 2-1-1: Pennsylvania’s 211 system connects Luzerne County callers with emergency rental assistance, food resources, and housing case managers across the region.