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  2. Project Based Vouchers

Project-Based Vouchers

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Overview

The Project-based voucher (PBV) program is a component of the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) are not allocated additional funding for PBVs; if a PHA decides to operate a PBV program, the PHA’s PBV program is funded with a portion of its appropriated funding (budget authority) available under the PHA’s voucher ACC. A PHA can generally project-base up to 20 percent of its authorized voucher units, but under certain circumstances a PHA can project-base additional units.

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 the PBV program.

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 project-base existing units or units that will be rehabilitated or newly constructed in accordance with applicable requirements. Proposals for PBV awards must be selected competitively unless the criteria are met for a PHA to select a project noncompetitively.

The PBV program is not the same as Project-based Rental Assistance (PBRA). PBRA is a program administered by HUD’s Office of Housing through which owners contract directly with HUD to reserve affordable units. PBRA does not use vouchers and is governed by different provisions of Section 8 of the US Housing Act of 1937 than the voucher program.

Learn more about the PBV program by viewing the Introduction to PBV video.

 

PBV Regulations and Guidance

Note: The HOTMA Voucher Final Rule (see below) made changes to the HCV and PBV programs. As a result, certain provisions of HUD notices that were issued prior to publication of the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule on May 7, 2024 are outdated. For a full list of notices that are outdated, see PIH Notice 2024-19. Until HUD provides updated guidance, PHAs are responsible for compliance with the HOTMA Voucher Final Rule requirements as described in PIH Notice 2024-19.

Regulations

PBV regulations (24 CFR part 983) generally reflect effective provisions of statutory requirements, including those mandated by HOTMA. However, PBV regulations do not yet reflect certain PBV program changes that are not yet effective pending publication of new forms (e.g., PHA-owned certifications and rehabilitated housing riders). Additionally, PBV regulations do not yet reflect certain PBV program changes required by the EGA (see EGA Initial Guidance for details). Many HCV regulations (24 CFR part 982) also apply to the PBV program. (See 24 CFR 983.2).

HOTMA Voucher Final Rule Guidance

PIH Notices

There are many 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.

PBV Notices

  • 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 2017-21: Implementation Guidance: Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) - Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Provisions

Related Notices

  • PIH Notice 2025-28: Cost-Savings Measures in the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project Based Voucher (PBV) Programs PIH Notice 2013-27: (EV relinquishment)
  • PIH Notice 2025-18: (PHA Plan) – Automation of and Revisions to the Public Housing Agency (PHA) 5-Year Plan and Annual Plan Templates and Certification Forms
  • PIH Notice 2025-13: Implementation of the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2025 Funding Provisions for the Housing Choice Voucher Program
  • PIH Notice 2024-34: Updated and Consolidated Policy Guidance on Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program Payment Standards
  • PIH Notice 2023-13: Guidance on housing individuals and families experiencing homelessness through the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Programs
  • 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 2021-08: Financial Reporting Requirements for the Housing Choice Voucher and Mainstream Voucher Program Submitted through the Financial Assessment Subsystem for Public Housing (FASS-PH) and the Voucher Management System (VMS)
  • PIH Notice 2020-23: Use of Proceeds under Section 18 Disposition or Section 22 Voluntary Conversion
  • PIH Notice 2020-19: Rent Reasonableness – Defining Assisted Units for the Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher Programs
  • PIH Notice 2019-01/H Notice 2019-02: Funding Availability for Set-Aside Tenant Protection Vouchers
  • PIH Notice 2018-12: Process for Public Housing Agency Voluntary Transfers and Consolidations of Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Vouchers
  • H Notice 2018-02: Funding Availability for Set-Aside Tenant-Protection Vouchers – Fiscal Year 2017 Funding
  • PIH Notice 2017-20: Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) - Housing Quality Standards (HQS) Implementation Guidance
  • 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; amendments appear in Notice CPD 2026-02; Notice H 2026-03; Notice OLHCHH 2026-01; Notice PIH 2026-03: Implementation of the Reduced Elevated Blood Lead Level Triggering Response in Certain Assisted Target Housing
  • PIH Notice 2016-22 HA: Environmental Review Requirements for Public Housing Agencies
  • PIH Notice 2016-05: Streamlining Administrative Regulations for Programs Administered by Public Housing Agencies

Other Guidance and Tools

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

HAP Contracts for Existing Housing

PBV Tenancy Addendum

 
  • 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.