Get help paying housing costs from the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program.
Another lesser known rent assistance program that is funded by the HOME Investment Partnerships Program in coordination with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) voucher program. While the specific coverage and the amount of assistance will vary by state and even county, in general the TBRA program will help with paying rent as well as utility bills. Learn more on the TBRA program below, as well as how to apply.
All applications are processed locally, including at a location probably near you as it operates in all counties across the US. Vouchers from TBRA may also help with both rental and utility security deposits, storage costs and provide counseling. Case managers that are part of a local housing authority or community action agency will also offer long term self sufficiency to the low income.
What is TBRA and who runs it?
Unlike Section 8 vouchers, which are run by public housing authorities (PHAs), the TBRA program offers more flexible, short-term rental help tailored to addressing housing issues in local communities. This is a major difference with the program as it is often used to address urgent housing crises (such as women facing abuse or the recently homeless) or assist people who may not qualify for other federal housing benefits.
Unlike Section 8, the funds from TBRA go directly to state and local governments, nonprofits, and community development agencies, not to public housing authorities. The organizations that run the program have some flexibility in exactly what they offer as part of TBRA, who is able to qualify, and the specifics to the amount and type of financial aid provided.
Some communities may target the funding from TBRA toward recently homeless families, veterans, people fleeing domestic violence, or those transitioning out of shelters or institutions. Other agencies will provide so called anti-eviction and displacement assistance programs, homeless prevention, and/or security deposit assistance programs. The flexibility of TBRA is one of its strengths: it allows local agencies to tailor the rental help based on local housing challenges.
It will generally offer a subsidy to very low income families or those living in poverty. The Tenant Based Rental Assistance program is administered at the local level. Funds are distributed to the qualified tenants from non-profits, charities, and local government agencies. HUD provided grants, vouchers and loans can pay for various housing expenses. More details on the program can be found here as well. https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/home/topics/tbra/#policy-guidance-and-faqs.
Type of help from TBRA and how it works
TBRA provides short- to medium-term rental assistance. While the timeframe will vary by local community, the grant money usually for a period of up to 24 months, though some extensions may be available in special cases. Assistance typically covers a portion of monthly rent and sometimes includes utility payments or security deposits, depending on the local agency's policy. The payments will be made directly to the landlord or apartment management company in order to help families pay their monthly rent costs.
In most cases, the tenant must contribute 30% of their income toward the rent, and the TBRA subsidy pays the remaining amount directly to the landlord. Just like with Section 8, the rental unit must meet basic housing quality standards and pass inspection. However the exact amount of the rental subsidy offered by Tenant Based Rental Assistance will vary. This means TBRA pays a variable amount, based on the families or individuals household income.
Only the tenant of the home or apartment may apply for a housing subsidy. Payments from TBRA are intended to make up the difference between the amount of rent and housing expense (including utilities) that the family or individuals can afford to pay on a monthly basis and the actual monthly costs of the housing that is selected by the family to live in.
Apply for Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA)
While much of the funding does come from the federal government HUD agency or HOME Investment Partnerships, the programs are run and financial help is provided at the local level. There are multiple locations to try for a TBRA vouchers for leasing a home.
- Community Action often has Tenant Based Rental applications. Any type of rental help, utility or security deposit assistance is delivered through these groups as they generally offer a wide range of services. Locate help from community action agencies in your area.
- Local government organizations will partner with other providers and organizations to provide a wide variety of support services. They combine their resources in order to be most effective to the low income in their respective communities. Find other local agencies that offer emergency financial help by state, which can include TBRA applications
- Another place to contact for information or to apply for Tenant Based Rental Assistance is your local Section 8 or HUD counseling agency. Click here to find a listing of providers. As they operate by state, and more information on local section 8 housing near you.
- Ask a local homeless shelter about TBRA as well. Organizations that help people find emergency shelter, if they are unhoused, often refer clients to TBRA programs as a form of pro-active relief. Get a list of homeless shelters by state and county to try.
Income and criteria to get TBRA vouchers
Once again, the specifics will vary. In general, any type of rent help, security deposits and funds for utility bills are provided from Tenant Based Rental Assistance based on the following. More information on the types of support in your area can be found at a local PHA or online at HUD.
- The low income in the community, with special focus on the elderly, people with kids, the disabled, and those on the verge of eviction. The applicant will need to have an income that is on the lower end of the area median income. Poverty guidelines also often need to be met by applicants. TBRA will often require income at or below 60% of the area median income (AMI)
- Some of the other general conditions include the apartment or home must meet certain quality standards that are usually established by Section 8 and HUD. The apartment needs to be both affordable over the long term and safe to live in.
- The rent for the unit must be a reasonable amount when factoring in the exact market, and the unit can be either public or privately owned. Vouchers from TBRA may pay for single family homes, condos, town-homes, or other units. Choose a unit within Fair Market Rent (FMR) limits set by HUD.
- In order to qualify for assistance or a loan for paying a security deposit, the TBRA tenant based program will often require the applicant to be currently homeless or on the verge of eviction from their current residence.
- Sign a lease and agree to participate in a housing services plan, if required. As many TBRA programs require recipients to participate in supportive services such as job training, financial counseling, or case management
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