The Wayne County Housing Authority was created in 1971 under Pennsylvania Public Law 955, known as the “Housing Authorities Law,” as passed by the State Legislature in 1937. This law enabled local governments to create a separate legal, governmental entity to carry out the goals established by the Federal Housing Act of 1937.
The Wayne County Housing Authority is a separate and distinct municipal body with its own municipal code.
The Board of Commissioner’s has hired an Executive Director along with staff which perform administrative, financial, occupancy and management functions with regard to the programs administered by the Authority. The Housing Authority also has a maintenance staff which provides daily services to residents and maintains both interiors and exteriors of the buildings as well as the grounds along with inspections for the Housing Authority programs and projects.
The Wayne County Housing Authority (WCHA) through the programs administered provides housing assistance to eligible very low and extremely low-income families, senior citizens, handicapped and disabled adults. All residents assisted by the WCHA pay rent based solely on their annual income rather that the size, type, or location of their homes.
The WCHA has jurisdiction in both Wayne and Pike Counties. The WCHA administers 715 total assisted housing units. The Authority has a 73-unit complex designed exclusively for the elderly/handicapped/disabled adults. It is located at 615 Barker Street in Hawley Borough.
The Authority also operates a 30-unit apartment complex for low income families as well as elderly/handicapped/ disabled adults. This garden style apartment complex is located within the rural setting within the Waymart Borough.
Under the Housing Assistance Payment Program (Section 8), the WCHA also provides rental subsidy to very low-income families and/or elderly/handicapped/ disabled adults throughout both Wayne and Pike Counties. This program is designed to provide the applicant the opportunity to continue occupancy in their present apartments or choose to housing on the open market from private landlords who would be willing to participate in the program.
