Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program

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HUD Announces Transition of Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHV) to Housing Choice Vouchers: What EHV Tenants Need to Know

(Updated October 16, 2026)

The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) Program, established by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, provides rental assistance to individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking. However, the program faces a funding cliff with final funds expected to last into 2026, putting tens of thousands of households at risk of losing assistance unless Congress acts.

 

What is changing?

HUD has announced that all households using an Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) and under lease as of September 30, 2026, will be transitioned to a new Tenant Protection Voucher (TPV) by the end of December 2026. This change is intended to ensure that families continue receiving rental assistance without interruption as the EHV program comes to an end on 12/31/2026.

Once this conversion is completed:

  • The EHV program will officially end.
  • Families will continue receiving rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program.
  • Assistance is expected to continue without interruption.
  • Households do not need to move or find a new unit solely because of this transition.

 

Will I Lose My Voucher?

For households already under lease and receiving EHV assistance as of September 30, 2026, HUD states that families are considered "continuously assisted" and can remain in their current homes. PHAs do not need to place families back on a waiting list or re-screen them for eligibility.

This means that most EHV participants should experience little to no change in their day-to-day housing assistance.

 

Am I still eligible for a TBV if I transitioned my EHV to another subsidized housing program like Project-Based Voucher (PBV)?

Unfortunately, no.  To be eligible, you needed to be under a lease and receiving EHV assistance as of September 30, 2026.

Could My Rent Portion Change?

Possibly.

After conversion, families will be administered under the regular Housing Choice Voucher program rules found in 24 CFR Part 982. HUD states that the Public Housing Agency's existing administrative plan and payment standards for Housing Choice Voucher participants will apply to EHV-TPV households.

Because payment standards and subsidy calculations can vary by housing authority, some households may see changes in how their subsidy is calculated. Tenants should contact their housing authority if they have questions about how the transition will affect their specific case if they do not hear from their housing authorities by the end of November 2026.

 

What Should EHV Tenants Do Now?

  1. Stay in Contact With Your Housing Authority

Watch for letters, emails, or notices from your Public Housing Authority (PHA) regarding the transition. Housing authorities will be responsible for converting eligible families from EHV assistance to TPV assistance during December 2026.

  1. Keep Your Contact Information Updated

Make sure your housing authority has your current:

  • Mailing address
  • Phone number
  • Email address

This will help ensure you receive any transition notices or paperwork.

  1. Continue Complying With Program Requirements

Continue:

  • Paying your tenant portion of the rent
  • Reporting income changes
  • Attending annual recertifications
  • Following your lease and voucher program requirements

The transition does not eliminate these responsibilities.

 

Timeline

Date What Happens
September 30, 2026 Families must be under lease in the EHV program to qualify for conversion.
December 2026 HUD awards TPV funding and housing authorities complete the transition from EHV to TPV assistance.
December 31, 2026 EHV program ends and all remaining EHV families are converted.
2027 Assistance continues through the Housing Choice Voucher program, subject to future Congressional funding.

 

In summary

This announcement is good news for current EHV tenants. HUD has created a pathway for EHV households to continue receiving housing assistance after the EHV program ends. If you were under lease with an EHV on September 30, 2026, you should continue receiving rental assistance through a new Tenant Protection Voucher (TBV) without having to reapply, move, or go back on a waiting list. The most important step is to stay in contact with your housing authority and landlord, and watch for information about your transition in the coming months.