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Housing Choice Voucher

Housing Programs

Project-based vouchers (PBVs) are a component of a public housing agency’s (PHA’s) Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program. PHAs are not allocated additional funding for PBV units; the PHA uses its tenant-based voucher funding to allocate project-based units to a project. Projects are typically selected for PBVs through a competitive process managed by the PHA; although in certain cases projects may be selected non-competitively. A PHA can use up to 20 percent of its authorized voucher units to project-base units in a specific project if the owner agrees to either rehabilitate or construct the units, or the owner agrees to set-aside a portion of the units in an existing development. In certain cases, the PHA may use an additional 10 percent of its authorized voucher units for PBV assistance.

​To learn more about PBVs - review HUD's Frequently Asked Questions about PBVs and Public Housing Repositioning (click on link).

The Falmouth Housing Authority (FHA) has been administering 45 project-based vouchers through the following entities:

 

    • Cape Cod Apartments: (62 and older*): The Falmouth Housing Authority has agreed to enter into project-based contract for 71 units with the Cape Cod Apartments in Falmouth through a tenant-protection action. This means that standard procurement was not required for the issuance of the contract through HUD. The Cape Cod Apartments provide studios and one-bedroom affordable housing units that are privately managed. Review their Tenant Selection Plan here. *Per their TSP, residents must be aged 62 or older.

 

  • ​Section 8/Mainstream: The Falmouth Housing Authority administer's the housing choice voucher program (also known as Section 8), which is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled 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. Through this program, FHA administers 46 Mainstream vouchers and 319 Housing Choice/Section 8 vouchers.
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  • DIAL - Disabled Individual Adult Living: This program is unique to Cape Cod and is a partnership between the following housing authorities: Barnstable, Bourne, and Falmouth. The Falmouth Housing Authority administers 80 vouchers that are designed for disabled individuals that are 18 years of age or older. Participants are able to find their own housing with their studio or one-bedroom vouchers.
Information & Forms

Information & Forms

Housing Choice Vouchers Model Admin Plan
Annual & Interim Recertification Packet
Notices regarding VAWA - Violence Against Womens Act

How the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program Works

Qualified tenants receive a Housing Choice Voucher from a housing authority, such as FHA, and pay a portion (approximately 30%) of their income toward rent. Falmouth Housing Authority pays the difference between the tenant's rental portion (as determined by the housing authority) and the total contracted rent.

​The housing authority pays the rental subsidy (aka Housing Assistance Payment-HAP) directly to you or your designated payee each month under a HAP contract. As a landlord, you will rent to program families just as you would rent to non-program (non-subsidy) families. You sign a contract with the housing authority and you sign a lease with the participant, who then becomes your tenant.

​In short, although the housing authority is not a party to the lease agreement between a landlord and their tenant, the housing authority plays a crucial role as it relates to participant obligations to the program. The housing authority calculates the monthly subsidy to be released directly to the landlord/owner; the participant pays their income-based portion.

​Learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher Program at hud.gov

Contact the Board of Health

Be sure to contact the Board of Health to inquire regarding the requirements for renting properties in Falmouth. Rental permits must be renewed annually and are required for both long-term and short-term rental units. For Falmouth landlords, contact the Board of Health at 508-495-7485.

Request for Tenancy Approval

When a participant seeks to rent a unit, they will have the necessary paperwork to initiate the process. This required paperwork, Request for Tenancy Approval, is a packet of forms that must be completed and signed by the owner and the participant. Instructions to complete the paperwork are included in the packet. The completed packet should be returned to the housing authority so that the lease up process may begin. Rent reasonableness will be conducted to ensure that the landlord is not requesting more rent for a HCV/Section 8 unit than comparable units that are not subsidy-assisted.

Inspections

The Housing Choice Voucher program requires an initial (prior to lease up) and an annual inspection of the unit to determined if housing quality standards are in compliance with HUD regulations. Upon receipt of the RFTA, the inspection company will arrange for the inspection of the unit. You will be informed regarding the date/time of the inspection. You, or someone 18 years or older and has authorization to sign on behalf of the company must be present during the inspection.

Tenant Screening

The landlord may implement their own legal screening process, including applications and background checks. Screening for suitability is the responsibility of the landlord. The housing authority screens tenants for program eligibility, not for suitability. The selection of the tenant(s) is ultimately at the discretion of the landlord. All initial lease ups must be for at least one year. For more information regarding landlord/tenant law, review The Attorney Generals Guide to Landlord and Tenant Rights.