Housing Choice Vouchers

This tool assists users to determine if an address is in an area that meets the definition of "areas where vouchers are difficult to use" in 24 CFR § 983.3(b). An address in an area where vouchers are difficult to use qualifies for the 10% increased cap under the PBV percentage limitation requirement at 24 CFR 983.6(d)(1)(iv) and the higher (40%) project cap under the PBV income-mixing requirement at 24 CFR 983.54(b).

Areas where vouchers are difficult to use are any of the following:

1. A census tract with a poverty rate of 20 percent or less, as determined by HUD (labeled "Low Poverty" in the map legend)
2. A ZIP code area where the rental vacancy rate is less than 4 percent, as determined by HUD (labeled "Low Rental Vacancy" in the map legend)
3. A ZIP code area where 90 percent of the Small Area FMR is more than 110 of the metropolitan area or county FMR (labeled "High SAFMR" in the map legend)

User Instructions:

Option 1: In the address search bar on the bottom left-hand side of the screen, type the address you wish to look up and press the "Go" button. The map will zoom in on the address you entered and a pop-up window will appear that states whether the address is in an area that meets the definition of "areas where vouchers are difficult to use." Entering the address will also activate the box for "Show Areas Where Vouchers are Difficult to Use (Zoom 9+)" on the left-hand side of the screen, and the map will show areas that meet the definition of "areas where vouchers are difficult to use." Each area that meets the definition will be colored to match the applicable definition category(ies) in the map legend and areas that do not meet the definition will retain their original map color.

Option 2: Zoom in to level 9 or greater by using your mouse to drag the map until the address is in the center of the map and then clicking on the "Map camera controls" button that appears on the bottom right-hand side of the map and then clicking on the "Zoom in" button until the "Current zoom level" in the "PBV Area Lookup Tool Options" menu to the left of the map shows a zoom level of 9 or greater (up to zoom level 22). On the left-hand side of the screen, click on the box for "Show Areas Where Vouchers are Difficult to Use (Zoom 9+)" to view the areas that meet the definition of "areas where vouchers are difficult to use." Each area that meets the definition will be colored to match the applicable definition category(ies) in the map legend and areas that do not meet the definition will retain their original map color. If you click on the address with your mouse, a pop-up window will appear that states whether the area meets the definition.

Other Options:

• Click the "Clear Map" button in the "PBV Area Lookup Tool Options" menu to the left of the map to clear the map.
• Click the "Toggle full screen view" button that appears on the top right-hand side of the map to open the map in full screen (press the "Esc" button on your keyboard to exit full screen).