Program: Project Based Voucher (PBV)
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.
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.
