What are tenant-based vouchers?
There are two types of Housing Choice vouchers. Tenant-based Vouchers and Project Bases Vouchers. Tenant-based vouchers increase affordable housign choices for very low-income families. Families with a voucher and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. What families are eligible to apply for tenant-based vouchers? Very low-income families (i.e. families with incomes below 50% of area median income) and a few specific categories of families with incomes up to 80% of the area median income. These include families that are already assisted under the 1937 U.S. Housing Act, such as families physically displaced by public housing demolition, and owners opting out of project-based section 8 housing assistance payments (HAP) contracts. (HUD determines median income levels for each area annually.) How does a SHA determine if a family is income eligible? The SHA compares the family’s annual income (gross income) with the HUD-established very low-income limit or low-in
Tenant-based vouchers increase affordable housing choices for very low-income families. Families with a tenant-based voucher choose and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately owned rental housing. What families are eligible to apply for tenant-based vouchers? Very low-income families (i.e. families with incomes below 50% of area median income) and a few specific categories of families with incomes up to 80% of the area median income. These include families that are already assisted under the 1937 U.S. Housing Act, such as families physically displaced by public housing demolition, and owners opting out of project-based housing assistance payments (HAP) contracts. (HUD determines median income levels for each area annually.) How does a Housing Authority determine if a family is income eligible? The Housing Authority compares the family’s annual income (gross income) with the HUD-established very low-income limit or low-income limit for the area. The family’s gross income cannot ex
Tenant-based vouchers increase affordable housing choices for very low-income families. Families with a tenant-based voucher choose and lease safe, decent, and affordable privately-owned rental housing. What organizations are eligible to apply for tenant-based voucher funding from HUD? PHAs authorized under State law to develop or operate housing assistance programs may apply for funding. How do PHAs apply for tenant-based voucher funding? PHAs respond to notices of funding availability (NOFAs) published in the Federal Register. Each NOFA identifies allocation areas, amount of funds available per area, and the selection criteria for rating and ranking applications. What families are eligible to apply for tenant-based vouchers? Very low-income families (i.e families with incomes below 50% of area median income) and a few specific categories of families with incomes up to 80% of the area median income. These include families that are already assisted under the 1937 U.S. Housing Act, such
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Massachusetts Housing Voucher Program (MHVP), and the Alternative Housing Voucher Program (AHVP) provide tenant-based rent vouchers that let people choose their own housing anywhere they want to live. Families with tenant-based vouchers can choose any apartment they want, as long as the rent is reasonable and the unit is safe and clean. If the family moves, the rental assistance goes with them. Am I eligible? Section 8, MRVP, and AHVP rent vouchers are for households with limited incomes. People of any age can get Section 8 or MRVP vouchers, but the AHVP is only for people under age 60 who are disabled. For Section 8, only certain categories of noncitizens are eligible. See Can noncitizens get rent vouchers? on MassResources.org. There are no immigration status requirements for MRVP and AHVP. What are the income limits? • For Section 8, household income must be no greater than 50% of the area median income. For dollar amounts, see What
