Housing Choice Voucher Program
PHA administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), also known as Section 8, a federal rental assistance program that allows very low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses and apartments. Program participants are free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program. Most HCVs are “tenant-based,” meaning people can use them to rent any private apartment that meets program guidelines and if the family decides to move, the voucher goes with the family to lease another suitable unit.
In all of the PHA’s housing voucher programs, a housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.
Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) Voucher Program
VASH is a collaborative program that pairs HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance with VA case management and supportive services for homeless veterans. These services are designed to help homeless veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing and access the health care, mental health treatment, substance use counseling, and other supports necessary to help them in their recovery process and with their ability to maintain housing in the community. The VA determines whether the individual or family qualifies for the program and provides verification and supporting documentation of that determination to the PHA. Upon receipt of the referral, PHA will make a determination of eligibility to receive housing assistance.
Project Based Vouchers (PBV)
Project-based vouchers (PBVs) are part of the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Although most Housing Choice Vouchers are “tenant-based,” meaning people can use them to rent any private apartment that meets program guidelines, housing authorities are allowed to project-base a portion of their vouchers, and PHA has a PBV program. PBV vouchers are assigned to a specific unit for a period of up to 20 years through a contract with the landlord. Families who apply to the PHA for the PBV program are placed on the PHA’s PBV wait list. Families are referred to the PBV landlord from the PBV waiting list for a specific unit. When the family moves from the PBV unit, the voucher remains with the unit.
Mainstream Vouchers (MSV)
The Mainstream Voucher program is designed to help persons with disabilities live independently in the community. Mainstream Vouchers must be used to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities and their families. To be eligible for the program, applicants must:
- Must meet Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program eligibility requirements
- Be a family that includes at least one person with a disability between the ages of 18-61
- Provide verification of transitioning out of institutional or other segregated setting, at serious risk of institutionalization, or homelessness.
Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV)
The EHV program vouchers assist individuals and families who are;
- Homeless;
- At risk of homelessness;
- Fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or
- Were recently homeless or have a high risk of housing instability.
In order to ensure those most in need are assisted first, HUD requires the PHA to partner with the RI Continuum of Care (CoC) for direct referrals. The CoC determines whether the individual or family qualifies under one of the four eligibility categories mentioned above and provide verification and supporting documentation of that determination to PHA. Upon receipt of the referral, PHA will make a determination of eligibility to receive housing assistance.
