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. Projects are typically selected for PBVs through a competitive process managed by the PHA; although in certain cases projects may be selected non-competitively.
A PHA can use up to 20 percent of its authorized voucher units to project-base units in a specific project if the owner agrees to either rehabilitate or construct the units, or the owner agrees to set-aside a portion of the units in an existing development. In certain cases, the PHA may use an additional 10 percent of its authorized voucher units for PBV assistance. Information as to whether a PHA manages the PBV program may be found by contacting the local PHA.
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 of 1998. Significant changes to the program were subsequently enacted in law in 2000, by the Fiscal Year 2001 Appropriations Act, and in 2008, by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. The latest statutory changes to the PBV program were enacted recently by the Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA). A detail account of the HOTMA changes, and further guidance, is provided under PIH Notice 2017-21, published October 30, 2017.
Learn more about the PBV program by viewing the Introduction to PBV video.
PBV Guidance and Regulations
- 87 FR 3570 (Jan. 24, 2022): Initial implementation guidance on the Fostering Stable Housing Opportunities (FSHO) amendments, including impacts on the PBV program and project caps. For more information about FSHO, visit HUD’s FUP or FYI pages.
- PBV Repositioning FAQs(PDF)
- HOTMA Implementation Proposed Rule Slides for PBV, HQS, and Utility Allowances
- HOTMA Implementation Proposed Rule Webinar for PBV, HQS, and Utility Allowances (mp4) Google Chrome is Preferred Web Browser to view
- PBV Regulations (24 CFR Part 983). PBV regulations are not yet updated to conform with the HOTMA changes to the PBV program. For more information about the HOTMA changes, see PIH Notice 2017-21, which is listed below.
- PIH Notice 2020-19: provides guidance concerning the process of making rent reasonableness determinations. For more information on rent reasonableness requirements, see the HCV Guidebook - Rent Reasonableness
- PIH Notice 2017-21 Implementation Guidance: Housing Opportunity Through Modernization Act of 2016 (HOTMA) — Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Provisions.
- Program Cap Calculation Worksheet – the worksheet has recently been updated. If you already downloaded an earlier version, please re-download and use this latest version.
- Submitting Project-Based Vouchers Program Cap Reviews – this video explains the process of submitting program cap information to HUD.
- 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.
- PIH 2017-21 Webcast and Training Slides
- 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
(Updated) 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))
- Davis-Bacon Labor Requirements (80 FR 12511; March 9, 2015)
- (New) Tips to Increase PBV Unit Occupancy: This document contains strategies that PHAs and Property Owners can implement for PBV units to improve occupancy.
PBV Forms
There are a number of forms that are applicable to the PBV program, which are listed below. These forms were recently updated and more information concerning the use of the updated forms may be found here.
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.