Mainstream Voucher Program

Consolidated Appropriations Acts, in 2017-2019 made approximately $500 million available for new Mainstream voucher assistance, the first funding for new Mainstream vouchers since 2005.  HUD awarded over $98 million in funding to 286 PHAs on September 4, 2018.  Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities.  Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as other housing choice vouchers.  Funding and financial reporting for the Mainstream Voucher Program is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program. 

Notice of Funding Availability.

FY19 Mainstream Voucher NOFA (FR-6300-N-43) – Applications due Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11:59:59 PM Eastern Time.  Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.  To find the NOFA on Grants.gov, search by the CFDA number: 14.879.

Public Housing Authorities may apply for funds through this NOFA to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities.  HUD expects to award $150 million, which will house approximately 18,000 families.  PHAs will receive additional points if they agree to adopt a preference for their housing choice voucher program for one or more targeted groups, including those who are transitioning out of institutional or other segregated settings, at serious risk of institutionalization, currently experiencing homelessness, previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project, and at risk of experiencing homelessness.  PHAs are encouraged to develop or continue partnerships with health and human services agencies to provide participants with voluntary supportive services and increase program access.

Please direct questions about the NOFA to MainstreamVouchers@hud.gov.  All questions will be answered via a NOFA Q&A document posted to this webpage.

NEW! FY19 Mainstream Voucher NOFA Q&A (updated 7/15/2019)

NEW! FY19 Mainstream Voucher NOFA Webinar

NEW! NOFA Application Materials
Many people have reported having issues downloading the instructions package in Grants.gov, so we have made the documents available below.

HUD-52515 Funding Application
SAMPLE_Attachment 1_HUD-52515_SA099
SAMPLE_Attachment 2_Rating Factor Certification_SA099

If you are an individual seeking housing assistance

Please reach out to your local HUD office and public housing agency (PHA) to learn more about the housing resources and opportunities within your community. For further information on how to locate the nearest HUD office and PHA, please click on the following link: https://resources.hud.gov/. 

Information for PHAs Administering Mainstream Vouchers

PIC/VMS Reporting – Vouchers awarded in September 2018 should be coded as MS5 on line 2n of the HUD-50058. All mainstream voucher assistance should be reported in VMS under the Mainstream 5 Year line.

The following FAQs were developed specifically for those awards made via the FY17 Mainstream Voucher Program NOFA: FR-6100-N-43:

Mainstream Voucher Program Implementation FAQs (3/22/2019)