What are the two main types of rental assistance provided under HCV?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program primarily provides two main types of rental assistance: tenant-based assistance and project-based assistance. Tenant-based assistance offers vouchers directly to eligible participants, allowing them to find their own housing in the private market where they can choose their landlord and negotiate lease terms with their chosen providers, as long as the housing meets program requirements. This flexibility enables families to seek accommodation in areas that suit their needs and preferences.

On the other hand, project-based assistance is attached to specific housing units rather than to individual tenants. This means that a particular property receives a subsidy for a certain number of units, allowing eligible tenants to reside in those specific units at affordable rent levels. This type of assistance is often found in certain developments or properties designated for low-income families.

The other options listed do not represent the primary forms of rental assistance under the HCV program. Homeownership assistance and emergency rental assistance, while they serve significant functions in the broader housing support landscape, are not the core types of rental assistance within the HCV framework. Likewise, transitional housing and supportive housing, as well as short-term and long-term lease assistance, do not directly align with the HCV program’s categorization of tenant-based and project-based rental assistance, which clearly