Get Latest WorkWORLD

Tenant-Based and Project-Based Vouchers and Certificates Overview

Vouchers & Certificates

In the Housing Choice Tenant-Based Voucher program and the Housing Choice Project-Based Voucher program, and in the Project-Based Certificate (PCB) program, HUD pays rental subsidies so eligible families can afford decent, safe and sanitary housing. The programs are generally administered by State or local governmental entities called Public Housing Agencies (PHAs).

NOTE: Certificate programs are being phased out. The Tenant-Based Certificate program has been completely converted to Housing Choice Vouchers. Housing Choice Project-Based Vouchers are replacing Project-Based Certificates (PCBs). Units that are still operating under PCB rules will continue to be governed by the regulations at 24CFR983, codified as of April 1, 2003. (The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) is available at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/cfr/.)

Portability:

Tenant-Based Vouchers are fully portable; that is, the vouchers are tied to the family, not to the housing unit. To receive Tenant-Based assistance, the family selects a suitable unit. After approving the tenancy, the PHA enters into a contract to make rental subsidy payments to the owner to subsidize occupancy by the family.

If the family moves out of the leased unit, the contract with the owner terminates. The family may move to another unit with continued assistance so long as the family is complying with program requirements.

Project-Based Vouchers are somewhat portable. After living in the Project-Based unit for one year, the tenant may move out and receive a Tenant-Based Voucher or other comparable rental assistance. (Comparable rental assistance is defined as a subsidy or other means to enable a family to obtain decent housing in the PHA jurisdiction renting at a gross rent that is not more than 40% of the family’s monthly Adjusted Income.)

The tenant must give the owner advance written notice of intent to vacate the Project-Based Voucher unit in accordance with the lease. If a Tenant-Based Voucher (or comparable assistance) is not immediately available when the unit lease is terminated, the PHA must give the family priority to receive the next available Voucher or comparable assistance.

Project-Based Certificates (PCB) are not portable. In PCB programs, families live in specifically designated Section 8 housing developments or units. The assistance is tied to the unit, not the family. If the family chooses to move out of the unit, the Section 8 assistance does not necessarily go with them. (See Changes in Family Size or Composition for exceptions.)

Rent & Utilities:

In the Project-Based Certificate program and the Project-Based Voucher program, the family’s share of the rent and utilities is generally 30% of the family’s Adjusted Monthly Income. (See Total Tenant Payment for details.)

In the Tenant-Based Voucher program, the family's share of the rent and utilities can be higher than 30% of the family's Adjusted Monthly Income because the owner is allowed to charge more as long as the PHA and the tenant consider the rent to be reasonable. (See Family Rent to Owner for details.)

See Also:

Financial Eligibility for Section 8 Assistance

Family Rent to Owner (Tenant-Based Voucher Program)

Tenant Rent (Other Section 8 Programs)

Source:

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): 24CFR5 (General Rules), 24CFR982 (Tenant-Based Rules) & 24CFR983 (Project-Based Rules)

Back to:

Section 8 Housing Overview

Federal Rent Assistance

WorkWORLD™ Help/Information System

   Share/Save: Click the button or link at left to select your favorite bookmark service and add this page.

This is one topic from the thousands available in the WorkWORLD™ software Help/Information System.
Complete information about the software is available at: http://www.WorkWORLD.org