2008 City of Oakland
Notice of Funding Availability for Affordable Rental and Ownership Housing

Section 8 Project Based Assistance Option

The Oakland Housing Authority (OHA) will utilize the City of Oakland’s Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Affordable Rental and Ownership Housing as the first step in the competitive selection process required for the approval of Project Based Section 8 units. OHA is prepared to provide Section 8 Project-Based Voucher Assistance (PBV) for a minimum of 10 units per project, up to a maximum not exceeding 25% of the total number of units in the project (therefore projects must be at least 40 units in size). Exceptions to the 25% per project cap will be considered on a case by case basis for units set aside for qualifying elderly, disabled, or families receiving support services.

If selected, OHA's Board of Commissioners must approve the project before a formal PBV award can be made. Projects meeting all HUD and OHA criteria, including fulfilling the requirements of an environmental (NEPA) review and subsidy layering review, may then execute an Agreement to Enter into Housing Assistance Payment (AHAP) Contract with OHA and subsequently a Section 8 Project Based Voucher Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract when the units are ready for tenanting. The initial term of the HAP Contact may be for a maximum of up to 15 years and is renewable subject to funding availability. Rents established for Section 8 Project-Based units are determined based on comparable market rents for similar unassisted rental units in the area in which the project is located and may not exceed 110% of the area’s Fair Market Rent (FMR) as published annually by HUD.

The purpose of this allocation is to create rental units that are safe, decent and sanitary for Section 8 eligible low-income families. All financing of project costs and operating expenses will be the responsibility of the project owner/developer. Projects must also submit a preliminary marketing plan and a management plan which includes waiting list management and tenant selection criteria. In creating a site based PBV waitlist, owners/managers must comply with OHA’s outreach policies when advertising the availability of project-based voucher units. The project owner/developer is responsible for and must bare all expenses in creating a site based PBV waiting list that is in accordance with OHA criteria.

PBV reference materials:

• AHAP form HUD 52531A (4-90)
• AHAP form HUD 52531B (12-88)
• HAP form HUD 52530A (6-01)
• Proposed FY 2009 FMR Table
• HUD Subsidy Layering Review Checksheet
• OHA Utility Allowance Schedule for Section 8 Housing (11-08)
• Federal Register 24 CFR Part 983 Project-Based Voucher Program
• Federal Register 24 CFR Part 982.401 – Housing Quality Standards (HQS)
• OHA Section 8 Administrative Plan - Chapter 15, Part VIII Project Based Vouchers
• PBV Threshold Requirements Questionnaire