Project Based Voucher Program
or
Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Project-Based Voucher (PBV) and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Programs are federally funded housing programs that provides rental assistance to eligible families based on family size and household income.
When the PBV and HCV waiting lists are open, applications are taken online only. When your name is pulled, you will be contacted by mail at the address or email address on your application.
We are excited to let you know we have 3 PBV properties:
- Whispering Pines
- Hidden Hills Trace (2018)
- White Water Village (2019)
We are not currently accepting applications.
To submit documentation to our HCV Department, please email documents to hcv@pchousing.org. Be sure to include the type of document and your first and last name in the subject line.
Program Responsibilities
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Landlord—Responsible for performing all management and rental functions and performing necessary maintenance. Also responsible for ensuring that the unit is safe, sanitary, and secure and meets HUD’s Housing Quality Standards. If the landlord is supplying utilities, they are responsible for paying utilities in a timely manner. Landlords are also responsible for complying with the HAP contract and the terms of the lease agreed to with the tenant.
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Families—Responsible for finding suitable housing and for providing PCHA with the income and family information needed to verify and certify program eligibility. Families must provide this information on an annual basis to maintain eligibility. Families must keep the unit in a sanitary condition and not damage the unit. They must allow PCHA to inspect the unit on a regular basis. Finally, families must abide by the obligations of the lease in order to remain in the Housing Choice Voucher program.
When all of these components are combined, the Housing Choice Voucher program works for everyone. Whether you are currently participating as a landlord or are considering participating, PCHA thanks you for your interest and willingness to accept rental assistance on behalf of families who deserve a safe, healthy and affordable home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications now closed. 2019 Applications were open April 1, 2019 from 9:00 am until April 3, 2019 at 5:00 pm.
How are project-based vouchers different from tenant-based vouchers?
Under the Tenant-Based housing choice voucher program, PCHA issues an eligible family a voucher and the family selects a unit of its choice. If the family moves out of the unit, the contract with the owner ends and the family can move with continued assistance to another unit.
Under the project-based voucher program, PCHA enters into an assistance contract with the owner for specified units and for a specified term. PCHA refers families from its waiting list to the project owner to fill vacancies. Because the assistance is tied to the unit, a family who moves from the project-based unit does not have any right to continued housing assistance. However, after one year of assistance a family may be eligible for a tenant-based voucher when one becomes available.
How much does the tenant pay for their rental share?
The tenant pays an amount that is roughly equivalent to 30% of their monthly income. The Housing Authority pays the balance of the total rent to the property owner.
In some cases, the tenant may pay more than 30% of their income. If the family rents a unit for which rent and utilities exceed the payment standard, the family’s portion of the rent may be higher. However, this formula does not mean the family can pay the difference between the requested owner rent and the Authority’s approved amount. If the rent for the unit is more than the payment standard, the family will be required to pay more than 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income but not to exceed 40% of their monthly adjusted income.
Families are prohibited from paying more than 40% of their monthly adjusted income for rent when the gross rent exceeds the payment standard. After the initial lease term, the family can pay more than 40% of their adjusted monthly income for rent.
What are the 2018 Income Limits?
Tenant-Based and Project-Based programs have income limits. See below:
Applicants must meet the Income Limits established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) applicable to the jurisdiction and to the number of persons that will reside in the HCV assisted dwelling unit. Applicants with gross annual income from all members of their household equal to or less than 50% of Area Medium Income (see HUD Income Limits), may be eligible to participate in the HCV program. In addition to household income, the AHA reviews the criminal background, if any, for all household members age 17 and older. Persons that have committed a felony, or are listed as a Registered Sex Offender, or have used, sold, distributed or manufactured methamphetamines are not eligible to participate in the HCV program.
PBV/HCV Income Limits
Published by the US Department of HUD effective 4/28/2020
Your income cannot exceed the amount listed under your family size.
If you are in need of housing now, you can apply for
Public Housing
1500 11th Avenue
Phenix City, AL 36867
Monday-Thursday 9:00 am – 12:00 pm and 2:30 pm – 5:30 pm.