PHA's Unit Based Program Developments
Click
here to view a list of developments with units in
PHA's Unit Based Program.
The list also includes developments under construction or
rehabilitation that have entered into an agreement for units
in PHA's Unit Based Program.
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Reminder:
Owners of UBV developments maintain their own waiting list.
Applicants must apply directly at the UBV development and are
selected by the Owner and not PHA.
Key
Definitions:
Development: name of the Unit Based development
Bedroom sizes: size of units available at the UBV
development
Neighborhood: Philadelphia neighborhood where UBV
development is located
Address: specific location of development
Tenant Eligibility Criteria: specific
requirements to be eligible to apply for units at the UBV
development
Contact information: owner website and phone number to
contact the UBV development with questions about application
requirements and/or how to apply
Click
here for a copy of PHA's Unit Based Client
Reference Guide.
What is the Unit Based Program?
• Under the Unit Based Program, PHA enters into Housing
Assistance Payments contracts with property owners to provide
rental assistance to eligible low-income households.
• The Unit Based Program (UBV) helps income eligible
families pay for housing (apartments, duplexes, condominiums,
single-family homes and townhouses). We call people that are housed
through the program: Participants.
• As a Unit Based Program Participant, you will pay the
Owner a portion of the rent for the unit you live in and PHA will
pay the rest based on your income level.
Why does PHA have a Unit Based Program?
The Unit Based Program is an innovative strategy to ensure
reliable, long- term affordability of quality housing. The program
commits project-based vouchers to privately-developed and owned
housing units in properties within Philadelphia's stable and
revitalizing neighborhoods.
The Unit Based Program is PHA's version of HUD's Project-Based
Voucher (UBV) Program using funds from the Housing Choice Voucher
(HCV) Program. Under the UBV Program, PHA attaches subsidy to
specific housing units in multi-family developments in
Philadelphia.
UBV Program Objectives:
• Expand affordable housing opportunities throughout
Philadelphia
• Provide Owners with reliable and straightforward rental
income
• Ensure long-term affordability at quality propertie
• Provide housing options for specific populations such
as:
What is the Difference Between the HCV Program and the
UBV Program?
• Under the tenant-based HCV Program, PHA issues a voucher
to an eligible family and the family selects an available unit of
its choice.
• Under the UBV Program, the rental assistance is attached
to the unit. If the family moves from the unit, the housing
assistance remains with the unit. Under certain conditions a
family may move from one UBV unit to another.
How do I apply for a UBV Program Unit?
Owners of UBV developments maintain their own waiting
list. Applicants apply directly at the UBV development and
are selected by the Owner from the Owner's waiting list according
to date and time of application and the bedroom size required by
the family. PHA may also refer applicants to the Owner from PHA's
HCV waiting list.
What Families are Eligible to Obtain UBV Program
Housing?
• Upon completion of Owner screening, the family is
referred to PHA for eligibility screening for the HCV program,
including income eligibility.
Who Screens the Tenants for the Assisted
Units?
• Owners set their own property-specific tenant screening
and selection criteria, which must apply to all the units at a
property regardless of whether it receives PHA subsidy.
• The lease used for participating properties must comply
with the UBV program policies.
• PHA will review the Owner's approved Tenant Selection
Plan to ensure compliance with Fair Housing and the UBV
Program.
What are Examples of Typical Screening
Criteria?
Typical screening criteria include:
• Payment history of rent and utility bills;
• Criminal background checks/drug-related criminal
activity; and
• Home visits to assess housekeeping skills/ability to care
for a unit.
What are the Income Limits?
• The income limit is 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI)
as established by HUD annually.
How Much Rent Do UBV Program Tenants Pay?
• UBV Program tenants pay between to 26-30% of their
adjusted income for rent based on their family size or specific UBV
program.
• The amount of rent that the tenant pays is reduced by a
utility allowance if the tenant pays for utilities such as gas and
electricity.
How much is the UBV Security Deposit?
• The owner sets the security deposit amount, which must be
in compliance with State and Philadelphia landlord-tenant laws.