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Two kinds of project-based Section 8
| Project-Based Vouchers (PBV) | Project-Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | Local housing agency, using part of its voucher funding | HUD Office of Multifamily Housing, through contracts with private owners |
| Where you apply | The agency’s PBV list or the property | The property’s management office |
| Rules | 24 CFR part 983 (plus much of part 982) | 24 CFR parts 880–886 and HUD Handbook 4350.3 |
| Moving with assistance | After one year, you can request the next tenant-based voucher | No automatic right to a voucher |
| Typical buildings | Mixed-income and affordable developments, supportive housing, some rehabbed public housing (RAD) | Older HUD-assisted apartments, many senior buildings |
Both types charge about 30% of adjusted income for rent (using the same total tenant payment formula as vouchers) and require income eligibility—most new residents must be under 50% or 80% of area median income depending on the program, with a share reserved for extremely low-income households.
Finding project-based apartments
- HUD’s resource locator (resources.hud.gov) maps HUD-subsidized multifamily properties and public housing.
- Your housing agency can list its PBV properties and explain how its PBV waiting lists work.
- Senior and disability buildings under Section 202 and Section 811 often have project-based assistance too.
- Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) conversions turned many public housing buildings into PBV or PBRA properties; ask your housing agency which developments converted.
Call or visit each property to ask whether its waiting list is open, whether it has units with rental assistance (some properties have only a portion of assisted units), and how to apply.
Applying and screening
- Each property keeps its own list in PBRA; apply to several.
- Tenant-selection plan: PBRA properties must have a written plan describing eligibility, preferences, screening criteria, and how the waiting list works. Ask for a copy.
- Rejection notice: if you are rejected, the owner must tell you in writing why and give you 14 days to respond or request a meeting.
- PBV screening: the housing agency determines program eligibility; the owner screens for suitability under its own criteria.
- Fair housing: properties may target elderly households if designated, but cannot otherwise discriminate based on protected characteristics.
Rent and recertification
Rent is calculated with the same framework as vouchers: the highest of 30% of adjusted income, 10% of gross income, or a minimum rent (up to $25 in most PBRA properties; up to $50 in PBV). If you pay utilities, you receive a utility allowance, and the property collects rent minus that allowance.
You must recertify income annually and report changes as your lease and program rules require. PBRA properties follow HUD Handbook 4350.3 for these procedures.
Moving out with a voucher (PBV only)
If you have lived in a PBV unit for at least one year, you may end your lease with proper notice and request continued tenant-based assistance:
- Contact the housing agency first, before giving the owner notice, to request a voucher.
- If a voucher isn’t immediately available, the agency must give you priority for the next available one.
- Once you receive it, give the owner written notice under your lease and search like any voucher holder.
- If you leave before one year, you give up the right to a tenant-based voucher.
Survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking do not need to give advance notice or contact the agency first when a move is needed for safety, and cannot be terminated for such a move.
Transfers within the property
If your household size changes or a household member needs an accessible unit, ask about a transfer to a different-size or accessible unit in the same property. Owners must consider reasonable accommodations and follow their transfer policies.
When contracts end
PBRA contracts are renewed periodically. If an owner decides not to renew (an “opt-out”) or prepays a HUD mortgage, residents are generally entitled to advance notice and, if eligible, enhanced vouchers that let them stay in the building even if the rent rises above normal payment standards, or move with assistance. See special-purpose vouchers.
Frequently asked questions
Is project-based Section 8 the same as a voucher?
No. With a tenant-based voucher, the subsidy follows you to any qualifying rental. With project-based assistance, the subsidy stays with the apartment. If you move out, you lose the assistance—except that PBV residents can request a tenant-based voucher after one year.
How do I apply for project-based Section 8?
For HUD Multifamily (PBRA) properties, apply directly at each property’s management office; each keeps its own waiting list. For Project-Based Voucher units, apply through the housing agency’s PBV list or the property, depending on how the agency structures its lists.
Are waits shorter for project-based housing?
Sometimes. Because each property keeps its own list, some lists—especially at senior buildings or in less-demanded areas—move faster than a housing authority’s tenant-based voucher list. Applying to several properties improves your chances.
Can the property turn me down?
Yes, if you do not meet eligibility or its written tenant-selection criteria, which must comply with HUD rules and fair-housing law. The property must give you a written rejection notice with reasons and a chance to respond or meet within 14 days.
What if my building’s contract ends?
When a PBRA owner opts out of its contract, eligible residents usually receive enhanced vouchers that let them stay or move with assistance. You should receive advance notice (generally one year). Contact legal aid if you receive an opt-out notice.
Sources and verification
Use these sources to check program rules. Funding, openings, and local procedures must be confirmed with the agency handling your application.
Update note (2026-10-01): Replaced a missing source link with an official program page or governing regulation. This was a source-link update, not a complete review of every claim.
- Project-Based VouchersU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- 24 CFR 983.251 — How participants are selected (PBV)Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- 24 CFR 983.261 — Family right to move (PBV)Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
- Search for HUD-subsidized apartmentsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
- Multifamily Housing ProgramsU.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Found a changed rule or a broken link? Report a correction for this guide.