HCV Baseline Study Rural & small-market housing need

A baseline on where vouchers stall in small markets

This is a nationwide baseline study of Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) lease-up conditions in rural and small markets. This research documents where inspection-ready private stock and related frictions limit lease-up, so local planning can follow observed gaps—not guesswork.

Purpose

Build a clear, multi-market picture of HCV lease-up friction outside large metro flagships. Focus is rural, micropolitan, and small-city housing authorities.

We ask factual program questions. Short answers help. Published schedules or landlord pages are welcome pointers.

Who this is for

Two short research surveys — pick the one that matches your role:

  • Housing authorities — HCV / Section 8 supervisors, landlord liaisons, and executive staff
  • Private landlords and small operators — mom-and-pop and small SFR owners in rural and small markets

Independent research project. Not a landlord placement service.

What we ask

Each survey takes about 5–8 minutes and stays research-only:

  • PHA survey — lease-up difficulty, bedroom gaps, unit shortage and inspection friction
  • Landlord survey — HCV experience, barriers to accepting vouchers, and what would make participation workable
  • Optional follow-up contact only if you opt in

No confidential tenant information is requested.

Privacy

Responses are used only for this baseline study. We do not sell contact lists. Identifiable comments are not published without permission.

Contact details are used only if you opt in to follow-up, or if you email us first.

Take a baseline survey

About 5–8 minutes. Mobile-friendly. Your answers sharpen a national rural and small-market picture of HCV lease-up — from both sides of the market.

PHA / housing authority survey Landlord survey

Findings will be published when enough responses are in.

Prefer email? Write study@hcvbaseline.com.

Contact