Request For Tenancy Approval

About Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA)

Your participation in and satisfaction with Philadelphia Housing Authority’s (PHA’s) Housing Choice Voucher Program is important!

The purpose of this RFTA Instruction Guide is to help you navigate the leasing process and successfully submit all of the required documentation with the Request for Tenancy Approval (“RFTA”). The Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA), landlord (referred to as the “owner” in this document), and applicant/client (referred to as the “tenant” in this document), each have different roles and responsibilities in the leasing process. This guide contains information on tenant and owner responsibilities as well as forms that need to be completed before a unit can be approved. You should review the entire guide, not only the sections which apply to you.

Note that an incomplete Request for Tenancy Approval (“RFTA”) will not be accepted and attempting to submit an incomplete RFTA will delay the leasing process. Please read this guide carefully and if you have any questions regarding the leasing process, please contact PHA’s Owner Services Department at 215-684-5596 or via email at hc**********@ph*.gov

Once the completed RFTA has been accepted, PHA’s Housing Choice Voucher Program will:

• Schedule and complete an inspection of the unit;
• Complete a rent reasonableness determination if/when the unit passes inspection;
• Prepare a Lease and Housing Assistance Payment Contract; and
• Schedule and complete Lease and HAP contract execution at PHA’s HCV office.

Please note that if the unit does not pass the Housing Quality Standards inspection, and/or if the owner’s requested rent is not reasonable, the unit will not be approved. If the unit is not approved, PHA will notify the tenant to start a search for a new unit.

Delivery Instructions

The completed Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) must be delivered in person to the Philadelphia Housing Authority’s Housing Choice Voucher Office (by the tenant or by the owner) between the hours of 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday. Please note that PHA cannot move forward until the RFTA is completed in its entirety.

Housing Choice Voucher Office

2013 Ridge Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19121
8am – 5pm Monday – Friday