Mainstream Vouchers

The Mainstream Vouchers (previously referred to as the Mainstream 5-Year Program and/or the Section 811 Voucher Program) were originally authorized under the National Affordable Housing Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-625). The Mainstream Vouchers provides ten

Mainstream vouchers assist non-elderly persons with disabilities. Aside from serving a special population, Mainstream vouchers are administered using the same rules as the Tenant-based Rental Assistance program (14.871). Funding and financial reporting for Mainstream vouchers is separate from the regular tenant-based voucher program. Please see PIH Notice 2020-01 for more information. The 2017, 2018, and 2019 Appropriations Acts provided funded for new Mainstream vouchers. Since 2018, HUD has awarded over $500 million in funding to public housing agencies (PHAs) to support 50,000 new Mainstream vouchers.

Public housing agencies (PHA)that is defined as any State, county, municipality or other governmental entity or public body (or agency or instrumentality thereof) which is authorized to engage in or assist in the development or operation of housing for very low-income families.

A family that includes a non-elderly person with disabilities that is income-eligible under the Housing Choice Voucher program regulations at 24 CFR 982.201(b) (1) as well as other wise eligible under the regulations at 24CFR 982.201, may be selected from the PHA's housing choice voucher waiting list and receive a voucher.

In the Mainstream Voucher Program, the PHA must demonstrate in its application a need for these vouchers by providing information documenting that the demand for housing for non-elderly persons with disabilities would equal or exceed the requested number of vouchers. Currently, most Mainstream Voucher programs are relatively small and do not support a separate division by itself in a PHA's organizational records. Typically, staff that work on the HCV program (i.e., waitlist, recertification, inspection functions) perform the same required functions for the Mainstream Voucher Program. If the PHA does not have a separate accounting for Accounting Brief #25: FDS Reporting Guidance for the Mainstream Voucher Program, then the PHA will need to account for the Mainstream Voucher Program costs using a reasonable cost allocation method as required under 2 CFR 200. PHAs should not use a fee concept in determining the administrative costs of the Mainstream Voucher Program where the PHA's HCV Program would charge a set fee to the Mainstream Voucher Program regardless of the actual costs incurred by the Mainstream Voucher Program. The use of the fee concept incorrectly assumes that all administrative fees earned by the Mainstream Voucher Program is the actual cost of the program. As such, a fee methodology could result in an overstatement of the HCV program administrative expenses and the actual costs of the HCV and Mainstream Voucher Program would be co-mingled in the HCV Program. This program is excluded from coverage under 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles.

Provides housing assistance payments to participating owners on behalf of eligible tenants to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing at rents they can afford. Housing assistance payments are generally the difference between the local payment standard and 30 percent of the family's adjusted income. Mainstream Vouchers can be provided to families that include a non-elderly person with disabilities. Mainstream Vouchers can be provided to families that include a non-elderly person with disabilities.

Funds are renewed annually.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Submission of Application for Housing Assistance Payments Program (Form HUD-52515).

See NOFO and PIH Notice 2020-01.

HUD generally makes the final decision based on the results of the rating and ranking process.

Notices and Funding Availability will be announced on through NOFO or Notices.

Expiring increments of Mainstream voucher assistance are automatically renewed by HUD if funding is appropriated by Congress.

After the assistance awards are publicly announced, HUD will provide a debriefing, if requested, to unsuccessful applicants.