Project-Based Voucher Apartments in Chicago
Some Chicago apartments come with rental assistance already attached to the unit. Here is what that means for how you apply, what you pay, and what happens if you move.
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When renters hear "voucher," they usually picture the Housing Choice Voucher program — the program many people still informally call Section 8. That is one kind of rental assistance, and it belongs to the household. A Project-Based Voucher, or PBV, works the other way around: the assistance is attached to a particular apartment in a particular building.
That single difference shapes almost everything else. You typically find PBV apartments by looking at buildings rather than by qualifying first and then searching. You usually apply to the property or to a waitlist kept for that development. And the reduced rent is not something you can pack up and take to your next apartment.
Waitlist status can change without notice. Confirm current availability, preferences, and application steps directly with the property or the Chicago Housing Authority. Chicago Affordable Housing Guide is an independent informational resource — we do not process applications, determine eligibility, or manage any waitlist.
Tenant-based voucher vs. Project-Based Voucher
| Tenant-based Housing Choice Voucher | Project-Based Voucher | |
|---|---|---|
| What the subsidy is tied to | Your household | A specific apartment or building |
| Where you search | Any private rental where the owner participates | Only buildings with contracted PBV units |
| Where you apply | Chicago Housing Authority waitlist, then to landlords | Usually the property, or a development-specific waitlist |
| If you move | The voucher can generally move with you | The assistance stays with the unit |
| How rent is figured | Generally a share of household income | Generally a share of household income |
General comparison for orientation only. Actual rules are set by the Chicago Housing Authority and by each participating property.
How renters find Project-Based Voucher apartments
- Start with the building, not the program. PBV units sit inside ordinary apartment communities, including mixed-income developments. Ask leasing offices directly whether any units at the property carry project-based assistance.
- Check the Chicago Housing Authority's published opportunities. CHA maintains information about property waitlists and openings. Because those lists open and close, treat any date you see elsewhere as unverified until you confirm it with CHA.
- Apply to each opportunity separately. Being on one property's list does not place you on another's, and it does not put you on the tenant-based voucher waitlist.
- Keep your applicant information current. Address, phone, household size, and income changes are the most common reason applicants lose their place or miss a notice.
How income and household qualifications are reviewed
Project-based assistance is generally aimed at low- and very low-income households, using income standards set through the Chicago Housing Authority rather than the City of Chicago's ordinance limits. Properties usually verify household composition, income from all sources, and any assets, then recertify periodically while you live there.
That is different from a rent-capped apartment. In an Affordable Requirements Ordinance apartment or a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit building, you qualify under a published area median income tier and pay a fixed maximum rent. You can compare tiers on our 2026 Chicago income limits page or with the Chicago AMI calculator, but remember those figures do not govern voucher programs.
Whichever route you take, the paperwork overlaps heavily. Our affordable housing document checklist covers what most Chicago properties and agencies ask for.
What to ask before you sign
- Is this specific unit covered by project-based assistance, or is the rent simply capped?
- How is my portion of the rent calculated, and which utilities are included?
- How often is income recertified, and what happens if my income rises?
- Is there a property-specific waitlist or preference I should know about?
- What are my options if I need to move before my lease ends?
This page is general education, not legal advice. Program rules change, and only the Chicago Housing Authority or the property can confirm what applies to your household.
Project-Based Voucher questions
What is a Project-Based Voucher?
A Project-Based Voucher (PBV) is rental assistance that a housing authority attaches to a specific apartment or building rather than to a household. When you rent that apartment, part of the rent is covered by the subsidy tied to the unit. If you move out, the assistance stays with the apartment for the next eligible household.
How is a Project-Based Voucher different from Section 8?
The program most people call Section 8 is the Housing Choice Voucher program, which is tenant-based: the household holds the voucher and can use it at any private apartment where the owner participates and the rent passes the agency's review. A Project-Based Voucher is unit-based, so the assistance cannot be taken to a different building.
Where do I apply for a Project-Based Voucher apartment?
Usually with the property itself, or through a waitlist the Chicago Housing Authority maintains for that development. There is no single citywide application, and each property may screen applicants on its own terms. Confirm the current process and waitlist status directly with the property or CHA before you rely on any third-party summary.
What happens if I move out of a PBV apartment?
The subsidy generally remains with the apartment. Depending on program rules and how long you have lived there, some residents may become eligible to request a tenant-based voucher, but that is never automatic. Ask the property manager and the Chicago Housing Authority what applies to your household before giving notice.
Do income limits work the same way as ARO apartments?
No. In a Project-Based Voucher apartment your rent is generally calculated from your household income, similar to other rental assistance. In an Affordable Requirements Ordinance or Low-Income Housing Tax Credit apartment the rent is a fixed capped amount tied to an area median income tier. Income limits and eligibility requirements vary by program and property.
Related Guides & Next Steps
How Section 8 vouchers work in Chicago
Housing Choice Voucher basics, landlord questions, and the CHA waitlist.
Chicago Housing Authority programs and waitlists
Public housing, vouchers, and how CHA applications work.
Chicago affordable housing programs compared
ARO, LIHTC, vouchers, CHA, PBV, and privately managed housing side by side.
How LIHTC apartments work in Chicago
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit basics, income tiers, and how rents are set.
Chicago affordable housing application checklist
Interactive checklist you can save, print, or export to PDF.
Step-by-step guide to applying for affordable housing
Timeline, document organization, and follow-up after you submit.