Project-Based Vouchers
Overview
Project-based vouchers (PBVs) are a component of a public housing agency’s (PHA’s) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. PHAs are not allocated additional funding for PBV units; the PHA uses its tenant-based voucher funding to allocate project-based units to a project.
The PBV program was enacted in 1998, as part of the statutory merger of the certificate and voucher tenant-based assistance programs under the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) of 1998. Significant changes to the program were subsequently enacted by the Fiscal Year 2001 Appropriations Act; the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008; the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (EGA); the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO) amendments; and the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). While some of the regulatory requirements of the HCV program also apply to the PBV program, HUD also issues regulations that apply only to PBV.
Participation in the PBV program is voluntary. Not all PHAs operate a PBV program. Information as to whether a PHA manages a PBV program may be found by contacting the local PHA. A PHA can generally project-base up to 20 percent of its authorized voucher units, but in certain cases can project-base additional units that exceed this cap. Projects are typically selected non-competitively.
A PHA can project-base existing units or units that will be rehabilitated or newly constructed in accordance with applicable requirements. A PHA may have an ownership interest in the units, but this is not a requirement.
Learn more about the PBV program by viewing the Introduction to PBV video.
PBV Guidance
Regulations
PBV Regulations (24 CFR Part 983). PBV regulations reflect effective provisions of recent laws, including HOTMA. However, PBV regulations do not yet reflect certain PBV program changes made by the EGA (see EGA Initial Guidance for details).
HOTMA Voucher Final Rule Guidance
- (New) Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016-Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher Implementation; Additional Streamlining Changes (HOTMA Voucher Final Rule). This Federal Register notice, published May 7, 2024, explains amendments to PBV regulations to reduce the burden on public housing agencies or made pursuant to Sections 101, 105, and 106 of HOTMA. This rule was effective June 6, 2024, except for the provisions with indefinitely delayed effective dates. A correction to the rule was published in the Federal Register on May 28, 2024 (89 FR 46020 (May 28, 2024)).
- See archived information about the proposed rule here.
- (New) PIH Notice 2024-19: HOTMA HCV and PBV Final Rule- Guidance on Effective and Compliance Dates and PHA Implementation Preparation
- (New) Overview training of the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule (May 20, 2024) (PDF) (Webinar) This webinar provides a brief introduction to some of the most significant changes as a result of the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule.
- (New) Implementation training of the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule (June 20, 2024) (PDF) (Webinar) This webinar provides an overview of the effective and compliance dates of the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule, including the information outlined in Notice PIH 2024-19.
- Comprehensive HOTMA resources, including archived guidance, is available on the HOTMA Resources page.
- Frequently Asked Questions (PBVs and HOTMA Voucher Final Rule) This is a list of frequently asked questions on PBVs and the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule.
- Questions related to the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule should be directed to HOTMAVoucher@hud.gov
PIH Notices
There are a number of notices that are applicable to the PBV program, which are listed below. HUD is in the process of updating certain notices to reflect changes in the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule. For guidance on how to use the current notices before the new notices are published, see PIH Notice 2024-19.
- (New) PIH Notice 2024-19: HOTMA HCV and PBV Final Rule - Guidance on Effective and Compliance Dates and PHA Implementation Preparation
- PIH Notice 2023-15: Process for Requesting Subsidy Layering Reviews for Project-Based Vouchers
- PIH Notice 2023-06: Notice on Remedies PHAs have for Poor Performing Owners in the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher Program
- PIH Notice 2017-13: OHHLHC 2017-01. Guidance on HUD's Lead Safe Housing Rule Pertaining to Elevated Blood Lead Levels for the Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, and Project-Based Voucher Programs PIH Notice 2017-21. Implementation Guidance: Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) - Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Provisions
Other Tools and Guidance
- Existing Policy on Non-Rent Fees in Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) (PDF)
- Tips to Increase PBV Unit Occupancy. This document contains strategies that PHAs and Property Owners can implement for PBV units to improve occupancy
- General PBV FAQs
- PBV Repositioning FAQs (PDF)
- Subsidy Layering Reviews Administrative Guidance (88 FR 15443 (Mar. 13, 2023)). For more information about SLRs, visit HUD's Housing Voucher Financial Management Division page or view the SLR Briefing/Tutorial video.
- Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act: Initial Guidance on Property Inspections and Environmental Reviews (85 FR 11381 (Feb. 27, 2020)). This guidance remains in effect for environmental reviews. The remaining provisions on small rural PHAs and inspections have been added to the CFR.
- Poverty Rate by Census Tract- Use this tool to determine if an address falls into a tract that has an average poverty level of 20 percent or less to determine if a unit qualifies for the PBV percentage limit (program cap) 10 percent increase or the income-mixing requirement (project cap) 40 percent increase.
- (New) Notice of Certain Operating Cost Adjustment Factors (OCAF) for 2024 (88 FR 83571) (Nov 30, 2023)
PBV Forms
There are a number of forms that are applicable to the PBV program, which are listed below. HUD is in the process of updating these forms to reflect changes in the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule. For Guidance on how to use the current forms before the new forms are published, see PIH Notice 2024-19.
AHAP and HAP Contracts for New Construction and Rehabilitation
- HUD-52531-A: PBV Agreement to Enter Into Housing Assistance Payments Contract for New Construction or Rehabilitation Part 1
- HUD-52531-B: PBV Agreement to Enter Into Housing Assistance Payments Contract for New Construction or Rehabilitation Part 2
- HUD-52530-A:
HAP Contracts for Existing Housing
- HUD-52530-B:
PBV Tenancy Addendum
- HUD-52530-C: PBV Tenancy Addendum
- HUD-52578-B: PBV Statement of Family Responsibility
Related Programs
- HCV: while the HCV and the PBV programs are different, the PBV program is a component of the HCV program and some of the regulatory requirements of the HCV program also apply to the PBV program. PBV regulations specify such applicable HCV requirements. For more information about the HCV program, click here.
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD): RAD allows PHAs to leverage public and private debt and equity to reinvest in the public housing stock. In RAD, units move to a Section 8 platform (either through conversion to the PBV program or the Project-Based Rental Assistance program) with a long-term contract. For general information about RAD, click here. For information about RAD PBV specifically, click here.
- Choice Neighborhoods: A PHA may place former public housing units under the PBV program in conjunction with a Choice Neighborhoods grant award
- Repositioning: A PHA may place former public housing units under the PBV program in conjunction with the removal of the public housing units under Section 18 or Section 22 of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 and an approval from HUD's Special Applications Center.