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Providence Housing Authority

Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)

New Applicants

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 can 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.

Two parents help their child ride a bike
The Leased Housing Department (Section 8) provides rental assistance to over 2,700 households through the following programs:
  • Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)
  • Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)
  • Project Based Vouchers (PBV)
  • Mainstream Vouchers (MSV)
  • Moderate Rehabilitation Program (Mod-Rehab)

Eligibility

To qualify for the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program, your household must meet:
  1. Income Limits
    • Household income must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
  2. Citizenship / Eligible Immigration Status
    • At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen.
  3. Background Screening
    • Criminal background and subsidized housing eviction history will be reviewed.
    • Applicants with certain criminal offenses may be denied eligibility.
  4. Other Requirements
    • You must provide all required documentation and comply with program rules.
Effective for Area Median Income of $114,300
Household Size
50% AMI
1
$40,050
2
$45,750
3
$51,450
4
$57,150
5
$61,750
6
$66,300
7
$70,900
8
$75,450
Effective for Area Median Income of $114,300
The subsidy standard (voucher size) determines the number of bedrooms PHA will approve for your household.
Household Size & Makeup
1 person
0–1 bedroom
2 people
1 bedroom
3–4 people
2 bedrooms
5–6 people
3 bedrooms
7–8 people
4 bedrooms
Children of opposite sex over age 6 may be assigned separate bedrooms

Applying for Section 8 Online

Apply via RI Housing
Select Providence to be added to the Providence Housing Authority (PHA) waitlist.

Wait List Process

Already Registered?
  • Log in to the Central Wait List to view or update your status.
  • Update contact info to remain active on the list.
Help with login
Email for Project Based Voucher (PBV) list updates: waitlist@provhousing.org

Special Voucher Programs

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)

VASH is a collaborative program that pairs PHA HCV Participants with Veterans Administration case management and comprehensive supportive services for homeless veterans. To learn more about the VASH program, visit the VA’s website or contact the VA at (401) 265-4114 for more information on qualifications.

PHA’s VASH program has tenant based and project-based vouchers.
VASH Units
  • Veterans for Tomorrow – 115 Douglas Ave (20 units)
  • Sgt. Belanger Housing – 963 Chalkstone Ave (11 units)
  • Crossroads Summer Street Housing - 160 Broad Street (10 units)

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

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.

Emergency Housing Voucher Program (EHV)

Please note the PHA is no longer accepting applications for this program.

Project-Based Rental Assistance

The PHA’s Leased Housing department contracts with private property owners to rent some or all the units in their housing developments to eligible low-income families. In spring of 2020, the PHA transitioned to an online based application system for its public housing and project based rental assistance programs.
PHA has awarded project based rental contracts to property owners across the City of Providence. Each site is listed below. To apply for Project-Based rental assistance, visit – https://pha-web.com/portals/onlineApplication/2023
Development
# of Units
Location
Neighborhood
Referral From
Crossroads RI Family Housing
21
Cranston, Linwood, Lidia, Steuben, Webster & Updike St.
West End
Coordinated Entry System (CES) only
Elmwood Commons
30
Ontario & Warrington St.
Elmwood
Avenue of Providence
9
Congress, Elmwood, Mawney, Moore & Broad St.
Elmwood
Sutterfield Apartments
60
Admiral, East, General, Middle, South & Phebe St.
Wanskuk
Maplewoods
7
Huber Ave.
Manton
Open Doors
19
Plainfield St.
Silver Lake
Open Doors only
Visions Apartments
6
Bernon, Goddard, Mansfield & Wayne St.
Smith Hill
University Heights
21
Nicholas Brown Yard
College Hill
Copley Chamber I
8
Broad St.
Upper South Providence
Coordinated Entry System (CES) only
Copley Chamber II & III
8
Broad St.
Upper South Providence
Jordan Caffey Townhomes
8
Portland St., Linden St., Harverd St., Somerset St., Taylor St.
Upper South Providence
Jospeh Caffey Apartments
8
Somerset St.
Upper South Providence
King Street Commons
7
King St.
Olneyville
Parcel 9 - Phase 1
8
George M. Cohan Boulevard
Fox Point
Parkis Historical Properties
5
Parkis Ave.
Elmwood
Potters - Tigrai, LP
7
Salisbury St., Ocean St., Plain St., Public St., Potters Ave.
Lower South Providence
Summer Street Apartments
34
Summer St.
Upper South Providence
Travelers Aid Housing
8
Broad St.
Upper South Providence
Coordinated Entry System (CES) only
Trinity Place
8
Bridgham St., Whitmash St., Elmwood Ave., Broad St., Elmwood Ave.
Elmwood/Westend
Justice Assistance Holding
5
Goddard St., Lydia St.
Smith Hill

Looking for a Unit?

Click here to search for an apartment using www.HousingSearchRI.org.

Current Program Participants

Two parents help their child ride a bike

Recertifications

  • Annual: Will be mailed 120 days prior to your HAP contract
  • Interim: Contact your program representative

HQS Inspections

  • Required before and annually after moving in
  • Contact your representative to report your landlord for going against rules.

Discrimination

Discrimination can take many forms, impacting individuals in both obvious and subtle ways. Below are some common examples of discrimination:
  • Disability Discrimination – Treating someone unfairly due to a physical or mental disability.
  • Family Status Discrimination – Discriminating against an individual because of their family responsibilities, such as being a parent or caregiver.
  • Religious Discrimination – Unequal treatment based on a person's religious beliefs or practices.
  • National Origin Discrimination – Treating someone unfavorably because of their country of origin, ethnicity, or accent.
Fair Housing Practicing Act
Please Report to HUD or RI Human Rights Commission

Homeownership Program

The PHA also assists Section 8 participants with Homeownership which allows qualifying Section 8 residents to use their voucher as a form of mortgage payment assistance.
Contact your program representative for more information.

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program

Helps participants achieve independence through education and employment.
Contact: (401) 709-6406 or (401) 709-6402

Resident Advisory Board (RAB)

The Resident Advisory Board (RAB) works with PHA in shaping the future of our community by working closely to improving services, facilities, and overall quality of life.
Who Can Join?
  • Residents in good standing at their development/programming
  • Residents 18 years or older, on a lease
  • Residents who want to make a difference and want to help the community succeed in a positive way
No experience is necessary, just a passion to make a difference in your community.
Responsibilities
  • Advise PHA on the development of The Annual Plan and 5 Year Plan for HUD
  • Be willing to work collaboratively with other PC members and the PHA in planning and providing important feedback on programs policies, activities and partnerships
  • Support programs and initiatives
  • Attend monthly meetings
Please contact the PHA’s office of Strategy and Development for more information.

FAQ Sheet

  1. How do I notify the PHA if I have a change in my income?
    You must notify your program representative within 10 days of the change. You may do this by faxing a letter to your Program Representative at (401) 351-1191 or delivering a letter addressed to your Program Representative to the Administrative Offices drop box at 100 Broad Street. Be sure to follow up by calling your Program Representative to make certain your letter was received. Faxing or email, portal
  2. Why is reporting all my income and any changes so important?
    HUD requires this as an HCV participant. This is serious program violation.
  3. Can I add someone to the voucher/lease?
    Any additions to the voucher must undergo PHA and Landlord approval.
  4. If someone has a criminal record, is he/she automatically ineligible?
    No. Felony criminal activity within the past five (5) years of an application may result in a determination of ineligibility, however, PHA considers the nature of any criminal history, evidence of rehabilitation and mitigating circumstances in making eligibility determinations. If an applicant is determined ineligible, that person has the right to a hearing during which additional information may be presented to a PHA hearing officer.
  5. What should I do when I want to move?
    Contact your Program Representative.
  6. What should I do if I have a maintenance issue?
    Contact your landlord first. If he/she does not respond within a reasonable time, call your Program Representative to schedule a complaint inspection.
  7. What should I do if I receive a legal notice from the landlord?
    Provide a copy to your Program Representative.
  8. 10. What should I do if the landlord is asking me to pay more money for rent?
    Notify your Program Representative immediately.
  9. What should I do if I receive a termination of assistance from the PHA?
    Request an informal hearing within ten days of the date the letter was sent and follow the instructions in the letter.
  10. What should I do if I think that I have been discriminated against?
    Report all cases of housing discrimination to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Complete HUD Form 903.1 which is included in your briefing packet or ask your Program Representative for a copy. You can also file online at www.hud.gov.
  11. Can a Landlord refuse to rent a unit to me because I have a Section 8 voucher?
    No, in Rhode Island refusing to rent to a Section 8 voucher holder is considered unlawful and discrimination based on source of income. Report cases of this type of discrimination to the Rhode Island Human Rights Commission. Contact information for the Commission is: Rhode Island Commission for Human
    • 180 Westminster Street, 3rd Floor
      Providence, RI 02903
    • Phone: (401) 222-2661
    • Fax: (401) 222-2616
    • TTY (Relay RI): (401) 222-2664
  12. What should I do if the landlord sells the property?
    Contact your Program Representative.
  13. What should I do if the landlord wants to terminate the lease?
    Provide a copy of the notice to your Program Representative. You should not vacate until you speak to your Program Representative and a legal advisor about your rights.
  14. If a member of my household has a disability and needs special considerations to live in our unit, how do I ask the PHA for help?
    You may at any time during your residency request reasonable accommodation for the disability/disabilities of a household member, including reasonable accommodation so that the Tenant can meet lease requirements or other requirements of residency. You must provide proper medical documentation regarding the need for the reasonable accommodation requested. Contact your Property Management Office to discuss your household member’s needs and request a Reasonable Accommodation form.