What Is Emergency Housing Voucher
An Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) is a non-competitive Housing Choice Voucher allocated specifically to households experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) distributes EHVs through Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) to rapidly house vulnerable populations.
Funding and Program History
EHVs were first authorized in December 2020 with $5 billion in funding through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. HUD distributed these vouchers to PHAs in phases, with initial allocations to jurisdictions with high homelessness rates. Unlike standard Housing Choice Vouchers, EHVs come with expedited timelines and special targeting requirements.
Eligibility and Targeting Requirements
To receive an EHV, households must fall into one of two categories: experiencing homelessness or fleeing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. PHAs must give preference to individuals and families transitioning from street homelessness or institutional care. Domestic violence survivors have 30 days to exit a violent household before assistance can begin.
Households must also meet income limits, typically at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income (AMI). PHAs use HUD's homeless definition from 24 CFR 5.2 to determine eligibility.
Landlord Participation and HQS Requirements
Landlords accepting EHVs must meet all standard Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections under NSPIRE protocols. EHV units are inspected using the same criteria as regular Housing Choice Voucher units, covering safety, sanitation, accessibility, and structural integrity. Initial inspections must occur before lease execution.
The Fair Market Rent (FMR) for EHV units follows the same caps as standard vouchers within your local PHA jurisdiction. Some PHAs allow higher payment standards (up to 120 percent of FMR) for EHV units in high-cost areas.
Voucher Terms and Payment Obligations
EHVs operate for two years with mandatory eligibility recertification. After two years, households can convert to standard Housing Choice Vouchers if they remain eligible and if vouchers are available. Tenant rent contributions are calculated based on income at lease signing, with most EHV households paying 30 percent of adjusted gross income toward rent.
Landlords receive payment directly from the PHA. Payment standards and subsidy calculations follow standard voucher procedures, though some PHAs prioritize EHV units for rapid lease-up assistance.
Common Questions
- Can I refuse an EHV tenant based on their homelessness history? No. Fair Housing law prohibits discrimination based on source of income or status as a person experiencing homelessness. You can verify income, conduct criminal background checks per your screening policy, and conduct HQS inspections like any voucher unit.
- What happens if my unit fails NSPIRE inspection for an EHV? You have 14 days to correct cited deficiencies. If not corrected, the lease cannot execute and the household must find another unit. Some PHAs offer brief extensions for complex repairs.
- Are EHV subsidies different from regular voucher subsidies? The subsidy calculation method is identical. The difference is targeting, prioritization, and the two-year term limit. After that, eligible households transition to standard vouchers if space exists.