AffordableHousingOnline

Affordable Housing Online is monitoring the federal government's response to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. As of March 13, 2020, Public Housing Agencies across the nation are closing their doors to the public. Most offices are still running and will communicate by phone, email, or mail. Some offices have drop boxes installed outside, so documents can still be hand-delivered. Visit the housing authority's website for the latest on its current operations, if one is available. If there is no information online, contact the housing authority directly. Due to a high volume of calls and modified office hours in most areas, expect a long wait time (days or weeks) for a response. To find your local PHA's contact info, browse by state here.

An extensive list of coronavirus resources for low-income households can be found here.

View Affordable Housing Online's Resource for Coronavirus (COVID-19)

What Is the Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance Program?

The Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance program provides affordable apartment communities that are owned by private landlords with a rental subsidy that helps pay the rent for low income tenants. Called the Total Tenant Payment (TTP), program tenants pay either 1) 10% of their monthly income (gross income minus exclusions), 2) 30% of their monthly adjusted income (gross income minus exclusions and deductions) or 3) a minimum rent of $25. The Project-Based Section 8 rental subsidy may be available for every unit in a property, or a select number of units in the apartment community.

This program can be confused with the Section 8 Project-Based Voucher (PBV) program, which is managed by a Public Housing Agency as an offshoot of its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program.

Start the guide at Part 1: How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Project-Based Section 8 Program? or choose a topic from the list below.

Project-Based Section 8 Rental Assistance Guide

  1. How Do I Know If I'm Eligible for the Project-Based Section 8 Program?
    1. Confirm that you meet the basic qualifications.
    2. Calculate your household’s income.
    3. Determine if there are any restrictions.
    4. Be aware of common factors that may disqualify an application.
  2. How Do I Find an Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?
  3. How Do I Apply to a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?
    1. Obtain the application.
    2. Complete the application
    3. Submit the application.
  4. What Happens After Applying to a Project-Based Section 8 Apartment?
    1. Wait for the property to process applications.
    2. Confirm your waiting list status (If Applicable).
    3. Estimate your wait time (If Applicable).
    4. Stay in contact with the property (If Applicable).
    5. Move into offered unit.