4 Ways To Find Project Based Section 8 Assistance No Matter Where You Live In America

Table of Contents

1. Introduction

2. What is Project Based Section 8?

3. How To Qualify and Program Rules

4. Which Tool To Use?

   1. Option 1: HUD Resource Locator

   2. Option 2: The HUD Open Data Portal (GIS)

   3. Option 3: National Housing Preservation Database (NHPD)

   4. Option 4: Master List By State

Introduction

The government provides American citizens with so many housing opportunities that it gets overwhelming no matter what city, town or state and a person resides in. Most people scramble for years to find resources, but a lot of times, they don’t know where to look or they thought they found them all. You may often hear stories of people who’ve been on Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher list for 15 years when Project Based Section 8 assistance is just as good.

What is Project Based Section 8?

Project Based Section 8 is rental assistance that is assigned directly to specific apartment buildings. There are three types of programs under Project Based Section 8 that look similar but have different rules.

1. ​Project Based Vouchers (PBVs) — are locally funded and managed by a local Public Housing Authority (PHA).

   
   

2. Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) — are federally funded and managed directly to the building owner.

   
   

3. Mod Rehab (Moderate Rehabilitation) — is managed by the local Public Housing Authorities. When these properties undergo modern updates or RAD conversions.

Pros

• Eligibility: Eligibility for all is zero income minimum.

  
  

• Choice Mobility: Grants you the opportunity to request a Choice Mobility, which allows you to convert it to a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) (also known as Section 8 voucher or Tenant Based Voucher).  

  
  

  • To qualify: You must live in a Federal RAD PBRA Conversion building for 2 years, or a Local Project Based Voucher / Mod Rehab building for 1 year. Traditional PBRA properties do not qualify.

    
    

• FSS Program: Once you get a job or a higher paying salary, the Housing Authority or Apartment Building saves a portion of your increased rent in a private escrow account. Once you meet the career or education goals you set up (typically a 5 year program, though you can graduate early), you are given a check for the entire lump sum tax free. Although your rent goes up, this program turns that increase into a personal savings account.

  
  

  • Bonus: If you are in a Local PBV or Mod Rehab building and request a portable Choice Mobility voucher, your FSS escrow program and your growing savings balance automatically travel with you to your new voucher. (Note: If you move out of a Federal RAD PBRA building, transferring your FSS account depends on whether the local housing authority agrees to accept it).

Cons

All types of Project Based assistance are permanently tied to the building structure itself and are not transferrable to another property or person while you live there.

Finding PBV’s have always been hard but the resources are there so we’ve constructed a step-by-step process how to qualify, where to find established properties that already offer Project Based Section 8 using three websites, which tool is best to use, questions to ask management when you contact them and a master sheet for cities and towns that already exist in each state no matter where you live in America.

How To Qualify and Program Rules

To qualify for a Project Based Voucher (PBV) or Project Based Section 8 (PBRA) property, the minimum income requirement is $0.00. Whether you have $0 income or $0 income with assets, you can only apply to properties where the tenant share of rent is based on your income.

Check Rent Listing / Flyer

• Listing Must State Any of These Keywords

  •  "Rent is 30% of income"

  • "Section 8 Project Based assistance available"

  • ​"Rent subsidized by local Housing Authority (e.g., HPD / NYCHA / AHFC)"

  • "Tenant share of rent is determined by housing authority rules"

  • "Eligible tenant pays 30% of their income and will need to qualify for Section 8.

  • "PBV" or "Project-Based Voucher"

    
    

• Listed Dollar Amount

  If a listing displays a specific price like "$930/month", do not walk away. Many mixed income buildings advertise full rent, even though they have PBV where your tenant share drops to $0.

The Backup Plan (NHPD Mapping Tool)

​If the listing is unclear or lists a specific dollar amount without explaining if PBV is available, copy the property address and paste it into the NHPD Mapping Tool.

​

Look at the property details. If ANY of these three fields say "Yes," it is in a Project Based program:

​

• Project Based Voucher: Yes (Choice Mobility voucher available after 1 year)

• Mod Rehab: Yes (Choice Mobility voucher available after 1 year)

• Project Based Section 8: Yes (2 Year Choice Mobility voucher only for RAD Conversion properties)

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTE

​A "No" in the NHPD tool is not always 100% accurate because databases miss local Housing Authority PBV information.

​

If the mapping tool says "No" or you are still unsure, contact the building directly and ask this exact question:

​"Do you have Project Based Voucher (PBV) or Section 8 units where rent is set to 30% of household income?

Which Tool To Use?

Option 1 HUD Resource Locator

HUD Resource Locator lists all Federal Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA) properties and local public housing authorities.

Note: The HUD Resource Locator only displays properties that are already open, occupied, and active.

Steps

1. Access the Tool

   Go to resources.hud.gov and click "Find Affordable Housing Opportunities Near Me"

   
   

2. Search Location:

   1. Type your target city/town and state (e.g., Hempstead, NY or Patchogue, NY) into the search box.

   2. Click the magnifying glass icon on the bottom right of the screen for a list.

      
      

3. Adjust Your Map View:

   1. Large Cities: Zoom in on your specific neighborhood (e.g., Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY) to narrow down the pins.​

   2. Small Towns: Zoom out slightly to capture the entire surrounding town/county radius.

      
      

4. Identify PBRA Properties​

   1. Look for properties marked with a purple "PB" building icon, which indicates Project Based Rental Assistance (PBRA).​

   2. Click "Export to Excel" or "Export to PDF" to save your property list, or write down the property details.​

      
      

5. Verify Choice Mobility (Optional)

   If you want a Choice Mobility opportunity (the right to request a portable Tenant Based Housing Choice Voucher after living in the building for 1–2 years), verify if the building converted under RAD using either tool:​

   
   

   Option A (HUD Multifamily Spreadsheet): ​

   Confirm the column IS_SEC8_RAD_DEMO_CONV_IND says Y.​ ​

   
   

   Option B (NHPD Map): ​

   Search the property address and confirm it says Yes under Project Based, Project Based Section 8 or Mod Rehab.​

Contact Properties & Apply

• Copy the Management Company contact details (address, phone number, and email).​

• Call or email the leasing office directly to ask if their building based waitlist is currently open.

• Search the property management company’s name online to check for online application portals.​

Option 2 The HUD Open Data Portal (GIS)

The HUD Open Data Portal (GIS) is a master list of every Federal HUD assisted multifamily contract in a given state.

Note: HUD updates every few months, so the new constructed building only show up in this spreadsheet after the waiting list has already opened, filled up, and closed.

Steps

1 Go to the HUD Open Data Site Multifamily Properties - Assisted.

2. Set Location & Choice Mobility Filters

Filter Location (STD_ST): ​Select states (e.g. NY, NJ), or skip this step to see all states.

​Filter Choice Mobility (IS_SEC8_RAD_DEMO_CONV_IND):

​If seeking Choice Mobility rights (the ability to request a portable voucher after 1–2 years): Filter and select Y.

If seeking without Choice Mobility: Select nothing and select PROGRAM_TYPE1​ Section 8.

3. Filter by Target Tenant Group

Narrow applicant needs:

Family

​CLIENT_GROUP_NAME — Select “Family”​

​PCT_AGE62PLUS: Set to -4 to 90

​Elderly (62+ Senior Housing) - Strictly for seniors aged 62 and older (with or without disabilities).

​CLIENT_GROUP_NAME — Select Elderly”​

​PCT_AGE62PLUS: Set to Greater than 70

Special Needs / Disabled - ​Independent or supportive living options for individuals with physical, developmental, or chronic disabilities.

​CLIENT_GROUP_NAME — Select “Disabled”

Finding Contact Information:

Look for columns labeled MGMT_AGENT_ORG_NAME (the management company) and PROP_MGMT_PHN_NUM to get the management phone number.

Option 3 National Housing Preservation Database (NHPD)

The National Housing Preservation Database (NHPD) is a clean database that organizes both local and federal project based section 8 programs.

Note: This database only updates to the public every 4 months.

Steps

1. Go to National Housing Preservation Database (NHPD) Mapping Tool

2. Location & Primary Filters

   Enter City/Town/State in the search box above OR select your county/city in the filter dropdown.

​⚠️ CRITICAL RULE: Do NOT use both the search bar and the location dropdown at the same time. Doing both will hide all properties on the map.

3. Select Primary Funding Stream:

   For Standard Independent Housing:

   Select Section 8 (for PBRA & PBV)

   
   

   For Supportive Housing / SROs:

   Select both Section 8 and Other HUD (Mod Rehab).

   
   

   Set Bedroom Unit:

   Always select Yes for One Bedroom Units. Skip this setting if you need supportive housing.

4. Open Pin to Confirm Program:

   Project Based Section 8 = YES

   ​OR

   ​Project Based = YES ➔ apply

   OR

   Mod Rehab = YES apply for Supportive Housing​

   
   

   ​If all 3 say NO. Do not apply without confirming by contacting the building directly because a "No" in the tool isn’t always accurate.

   
   

5. Property Info:

   Write down the Property Name, Physical Address, and Property Management / Owner Group so you can contact their leasing office directly to inquire about open waitlists.

Questions To Ask Properties

For Federal Subsidies Call Management and ask:

“Is your Project Based Section 8 (PBRA) waitlist open?”

For Local Subsidies (Public Housing Authorities), call management and ask

“Is the waiting list for the Project Based Voucher (PBV) units at this property currently open or opening soon?”

Option 4 Master List By State

Here are master lists or links with PBV information or applications we have found that have Project Based Section 8 assistance from local Public Housing Authorities.

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Ohio

Oklahoma

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

West Virginia

Wisconsin

Wyoming

Washington, D.C.

Puerto Rico

Guam

U.S. Virgin Islands

Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)