Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. You may apply to HACP’s Low-Income Public Housing communities, as long as the waiting lists for those communities are open. Please see the “How to Apply for Housing” section of the HACP website for more information on applying for our Low-Income Public Housing communities.

You may also visit the HUD Low-Rent Apartment Search. For the units listed on this site, the government gives funds to apartment owners, who lower the rents they charge low-income tenants. You can find low-rent apartments for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, families, and individuals.

If this interests you, visit the site, answer the questions and you will be given a list of properties and contact information.

All units must pass NSPIRE inspections to make sure they meet a number of health and safety requirements set by the federal government.

The inspection process is required because government funds are not to be used to fund substandard housing and all families, regardless of their income, have a right to live in housing that is safe, decent, and sanitary.

The phone number for the inspection department is 412-643-2788. You may also e-mail Melissa.Burton@hacp.org for inspection results and inspection appointment dates.

The HACP’s administrative fee is $51.56 (effective April 1, 2026).

According to HUD, a Section 3 business must have one of the following:

• At least 51% owned and controlled by low- or very-low-income persons.
• At least 51% owned and controlled by current public housing residents or Section 8-assisted housing residents.
• 75% or more of the labor hours performed for the business over the previous 3-month period are performed by Section 3 workers (low-income workers).

The benefits of being a Section 3 business include:

1. Priority for Government Contracts
Section 3 businesses receive priority consideration for contracts and subcontracts on HUD-funded projects.

These projects often involve funding programs such as:

• Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
• HOME Investment Partnerships Program
• Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Public housing modernization and development projects

This means contractors are encouraged or required to hire Section 3 businesses whenever possible.

2. Access to More Subcontracting Opportunities

Large contractors working on HUD projects must demonstrate efforts to subcontract with Section 3 businesses.
As a Section 3 business you may receive:

• Invitations to bid
• Direct referrals from prime contractors
• Inclusion in procurement lists used by cities and housing authorities

This can significantly increase your chances of winning work.

3. Competitive Advantage in Procurement
When agencies evaluate proposals, they often consider Section 3 participation plans.

If your business is certified:

• You help contractors meet Section 3 compliance goals.
• Contractors may prefer partnering with you because it helps them satisfy HUD reporting requirements
• This gives you a strategic advantage over non-Section 3 competitors.

4. Increased Visibility and Networking
Section 3 businesses are usually placed in local or regional directories maintained by:

• Housing authorities
• City or county governments
• Community development departments

This exposure can lead to:

• New partnerships
• Joint ventures
• Long-term business relationships

5. Workforce Development Opportunities
Section 3 encourages hiring Section 3 workers, which may connect your business with:

• Workforce training programs
• Apprenticeships
• Local hiring initiatives

This can help businesses build a trained workforce at lower recruiting costs.

6. Access to Community Development Projects
HUD funding supports thousands of projects such as:

• Affordable housing construction
• Housing rehabilitation
• Infrastructure improvements
• Property management and maintenance
• Professional services (architecture, engineering, consulting)

Section 3 businesses are positioned to benefit from these ongoing investments.

You must provide Regional Housing Legal Services with documentation that you are a business.

This may include: Copy of Incorporation, Certificate of Good Standing, Fictitious Name Certification, List of owners/stockholders, Partnership Agreement, Operation Agreement, or any additional documentation.

You must also provide documentation for at least one of the following categories:

• Section 3 Owned Enterprise
• Subcontracting 25 percent of the dollar awarded to qualified Section 3 business
• At least 30 percent of their workforce are currently Section 3 residents or were Section 3 eligible residents within 3 years of date of first employment with the business

You must provide certification for Section 3 Residents (at least 51% of the business owners).

List of subcontracted Section 3 business(es) and subcontract amount supporting documentation for each subcontracted Section 3 Business.

You must provide:

• A list of all current full-time employees
• A list of employees claiming Section 3 status
• Certification for Section 3 residents (supporting documents showing Section 3 status immediately prior to date of first hire).

Contact Riverside Center For Innovation, and then Apply for Section 3 Certification.

As vouchers become available, HACP contacts names from a waiting list and screens individuals and families for program eligibility.

Families who meet the income guidelines and pass a criminal background check are issued vouchers. These vouchers allow you to have a portion of your rent paid by HACP and HUD (U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development).

There is no cost. The HCV Program is a government service provided free of charge.

It is illegal for anyone to charge applicants, voucher holders or program participants for ANY services provided by the HCV Program, including obtaining a voucher, applying to the program, or being placed on the waiting list.

If someone attempts to sell you a voucher, application, or place on the waiting list, notify HACP immediately by contacting the HACP Hotline at: 412-456-5111.

HACP’s Housing Choice Voucher Program waitlist is currently CLOSED.

Find more HCV Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions on the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List landing page.

Please refer to the Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List landing page for details about the waiting list process.

The latest waiting list closed on March 15, 2024.

If you submit a pre-application when the waiting list is open, you will be notified by the HACP whether or not you were placed on the waiting list.

You may also access the HACP Applicant Portal to determine if you have been selected by random lottery and placed on the HCV waiting list.

When your application number reaches the top of the list, you are notified by mail. This makes it extremely important for families on the waiting list to alert the HACP in writing of any change in contact information.

For more information, or to check your status, call: 412-520-3848.

Property Owners/Investors who have a property for rent should advertise and market it.

Voucher holders will contact you directly if they are interested in your property. If a family or individual with a voucher passes your screening process, you will submit a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) packet provided by the voucher holder and submit it to HACP.

Then, HCV Program inspection staff will contact you to schedule an inspection.

HACP conducts criminal background checks on all applicant families for individuals 18 years of age and older. Members of an applicant household must pass a criminal background check and meet income guidelines before a voucher is issued.

HACP does not conduct criminal background checks on families already participating in the HACP HCV Program. Property owners/investors should conduct their own screening process for all prospective tenants regardless of whether or not they are applicant voucher holders or participant voucher holders.

Yes. If a voucher holder previously rented a unit under the HCV Program, HACP may provide the contact information for the property owner/manager of that unit to assist you in your screening process.

These requests must be in writing to the HCV Landlord Support Representative. Please call the HACP Housing Choice Voucher Department at 412-456-5090 for more information.

To report any suspected fraudulent activity by an HACP employee, HCVP applicant, HCVP voucher holder, HCV program participant or participating property owner/manager, please call the HACP Hotline at 412-456-5111. All reports are kept confidential.

Should you become aware of a suspected HCV program applicant, voucher holder, participant or property owner or manager violating the rules and regulations of the HCV Program, please report it to HACP’s HCV Program Hotline at 412-456-5111. All reports are kept confidential.