Project Based Vouchers

(1) When an applicant is determined eligible for and offered a project based unit pursuant to 760 CMR 49.03, the applicant must accept the owner's offer within seven calendar days of the date of the written offer. An applicant for a project based unit is entitled to only one offer of a unit of appropriate unit size provided the applicant may be entitled to another unit offer when the applicant provides reliable documentation establishing that the unit offered is inappropriate and would cause severe and unreasonable hardship. An applicant, who fails to accept the offer of a unit within seven calendar days or to provide such documentation within that period, shall be removed from the waiting list. (2) The owner must supply the administering agency with a certification from the local Board of Health or other local code enforcement entity or other certified inspector, such as an inspector qualified to complete HQS inspections, that the contract unit is in compliance with 105 CMR 410.000: Minimum Standards of Fitness for Human Habitation (State Sanitary Code: Chapter II) or HUD housing quality standards and (if applicable) a certification from a Certified Lead Inspector that the contract unit is in compliance with applicable lead paint law. Any cost(s) incurred as a result of this requirement shall be borne by the owner. (3) The administering agency shall then begin making voucher payments to the owner of the project based unit on behalf of the participant. (4) When a Voucher Payment Contract with the owner has been executed or amended, the terms and conditions of the participant's voucher remain in effect for the period of time that the participant occupies the project based unit. When a participant chooses or is required to move, the voucher will terminate and the participant shall not be entitled to any MRVP benefits. (5) If a participant residing in a project based unit is no longer residing in an appropriate sized unit due to a decrease in household size, the participant must accept the administering agency's offer of housing assistance, made in accordance with administrative guidance. If the participant refuses the administering agency's offer of housing assistance, the participant's participation in MRVP shall be terminated.