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1. What does "project-based" rental assistance mean?

Project-based rental assistance means rental assistance comes with the apartment.
You will pay 30% of your income toward rent and utilities. The federal government, through the Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program, pays the difference between your payment and the actual rent charged.

2. How are Project-Based vouchers different from Housing Choice vouchers?

Under the Housing Choice (HCV) Program, you may select an apartment of your choice. When you move out of the apartment, you can transfer the rental assistance to another apartment of your choice.

Under the Project-Based (PBV) Program, the rental assistance is tied to specific apartments. It is not a mobile subsidy that can be taken with you from place to place. If you move, you do not have any right to continued housing assistance.

3. What are the benefits of participating in the Project-Based Voucher program?

Contract units are set aside for low-income individuals and families increasing affordable housing options. Eligible tenants always pay only 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent and utilities even if the rent for the apartment increases in the future. Your apartment is inspected to ensure that it is in good condition before it may be approved for the program.

4. What can I expect once I am selected from the waiting list?

You will receive a letter that an apartment is available and you will be instructed to contact the property owner for screening. Property owners each have their own tenant selection standards that they use to choose suitable tenants for their rental apartments. The owner will either approve or deny your application based on their standards. If the property owner offers the apartment to you, you have (5) days to accept the offer.

If you are approved by the owner and accept the offer, you must then complete a final Project-Based Voucher (PBV) eligibility screening at Portland Housing Authority. Please note that an owner may offer an apartment to more than one applicant. In that case, the applicant that first completes the final PBV eligibility screening will be chosen to occupy the apartment.

5. Can I be denied assistance?

Yes. Even if you can prove that you need housing, we are required by federal law and regulation to refuse assistance if you do not qualify.

6. What if I am already on the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program waiting list?

If you are already on Portland Housing Authority's (PHA) HCV program waiting list, applying for a project-based apartment will not affect your position on that list.
If your personal information, such as address, is different it will be updated using the information that you provide on your most recent pre-application form.

7. If my income changes, do I need to report the change to the Portland Housing Authority?

Yes. You must report any income changes in writing within 10 business days to Portland Housing Authority. If your income increases, the amount you pay for rent and utilities may increase. If your income decreases, the amount you pay may be reduced.

If you don't report an income increase, you could lose your housing assistance and be required to repay Portland Housing Authority for any overpayment.