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You can participate in affordable housing programs that can support you with a regular income, incentives, and additional resources. As an affordable housing landlord, you also contribute to housing equity and stability in the city.

Landlords must have a current Rental License or a receipt from the Department of Licenses & Inspections showing that you have applied for a license.

Become an affordable housing landlord

Interested in becoming a new affordable housing landlord? Send an email to landlords@phila.gov to inquire about all of the varied affordable housing programs.

Maintain your affordable housing units

A Housing Choice landlord is responsible for providing decent, safe, and sanitary housing at a reasonable rent. Learn about all your responsibilities as an HCV landlord.

Looking for additional support?

• Contact Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Owner Services Department at (215) 684-3875 or hcvlandlords@pha.phila.gov
• Connect with the PHA’s Owner Liaison
• Contact the Office of Homeless Services Landlord Engagement Program at (215) 686-7182 or landlords@phila.gov

Incentives, subsidies, and resources

The benefits of participating in affordable housing are tremendous. Landlords with certified HCV units can access:

• Steady cash flow from various subsidies.
• Financial assistance to cover upkeep and repairs.
• Free advertising and marketing for units.
• An additional pool of qualified tenants, as well as tenant referrals and screening support.
• A housing counselor to help expedite processes, address conflicts and concerns, and minimize the time your unit is vacant.

Learn about available resources from these City, State, and Federal agencies:

Division of Housing and Community Development (DHCD)

• DHCD funds programs that help create better designed neighborhoods with engaged residents. Those programs help:
• Families avoid foreclosure and eviction.
• People experiencing homelessness find permanent housing.
• Developers build new affordable homes and preserve existing ones.

Office of Homeless Services

OHS’ Landlord Engagement Program offers:

• Support with tenant pre-screening and selection.
• Funding to help cover expenses after move-out.
• Landlord and tenant education.
• Landlord liaisons and housing specialists to answer questions.
• Neutral mediators to help address concerns and conflicts.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)

• The Developer Opportunity Fund: tax credits and support for new and smaller developers, specifically M/W/DSBEs, and community developers. To learn more, contact Jordan Laird at (717) 780-3843 or jlaird@phfa.org.
• Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement Fund (PHARE): funding and tax credits for developers working to increase the availability of affordable housing.

Philadelphia Gas Works (PGW)

• Are you the owner or manager of a multifamily property with low-income residents? If so, your property may qualify for PGW’s Low Income Multifamily Efficiency (LIME) program. LIME offers FREE energy efficiency upgrades in buildings where at least 75% of residents meet income-eligibility guidelines. Contact Nick Skari at nskari@cmcenergy.com for more information or to apply for LIME.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA)

• Housing Choice Voucher Program: tenant-based vouchers for private landlords
• Unit-Based Voucher Program: project-based vouchers for privately developed and owned housing
• Monetary incentives: a summary of monetary rewards to HCV owners for participating in or adding more units to the program, including signing bonuses, the Owner Assurance Fund, and security deposit assistance.

Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC) 

• Rental Improvement Fund: forgivable loans to cover repairs that resolve a safety, health, habitability, energy or water efficiency concern.
• Eviction Diversion: free resources for residential landlords and tenants to resolve issues while avoiding a costly or drawn-out court process.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

• Multifamily Housing Programs: loans and financial assistance for mortgage payments and construction or repairs, as well as subsidies to provide supportive housing for the elderly and people with disabilities.
• Continuum of Care program: funding for homelessness assistance projects to nonprofits and state and local governments working to end homelessness.