Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD)

The Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) allows public housing agencies (PHAs) and owners of HUD-assisted properties to convert units to project-based Section 8 programs, providing an opportunity to invest billions into properties at risk of being lost from the nation’s affordable housing inventory. By drawing on an established industry of lenders, owners, and stakeholders, RAD allows PHAs and owners of HUD-assisted housing to preserve and improve affordable housing units that could be subject to vouchers and demolition. RAD creates greater funding certainty while allowing increased operational flexibility to empower PHAs and owners to serve their communities.

Look inside the Hollins House Construction

Since 2015, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) has converted several of its public housing sites under the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development's Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. A benefit of the RAD program is that major renovations to aging buildings are made through private investment to preserve affordable housing and improve the quality of life for low-income residents.

RAD Conversion – Phase I and II

The properties that were selected for Phases I and II of HABC’s RAD conversions consisted mainly of mixed-population buildings. To date, 20 RAD renovations are currently underway or have been completed, including: