The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) initiated the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) as a tool for preserving affordable housing and addressing the growing backlog of capital improvement needs for public housing and HUD-subsidized projects across the nation. RAD seeks to preserve at-risk affordable housing by converting the federal rental subsidy provided by the public housing program (First Component), or legacy subsidy programs (Second Component) to the Section 8 program, using either project-based-rental assistance (PBRA) or project-based vouchers (PBV).

This Guide details public housing conversions under the First Component, but does not cover the conversion of affordable units in privately-owned properties that receive assistance under legacy subsidy programs under the Second Component.

Table of Contents:

1. Program Overview
2. Feasibility Analysis
3. Resident Engagement
4. Application Submission
5. Statutory and Regulatory Waivers and Considerations
6. Resident Protections
7. Relocation
8. CHAP Award and Pre-Financing Plan Milestones
9. Financing Plan Submission
10. Closing Process
11. Post-Conversion Processes
12. RAD/Section 18 Blend
13. Restore-Rebuild
14. Conclusion