§ 26-54Introduction.
§ 26-55Determining family unit (voucher) size. [24 CFR 982.402]
§ 26-56Exceptions to subsidy standards. [24 CFR 982.403(a) and (b)]
§ 26-57Unit size selected. [24 CFR 982.402(c)]
HUD guidelines require that WHA establish subsidy standards for the determination of family unit size, and that such standards provide for a minimum commitment of subsidy while avoiding overcrowding. The standards used for the unit size selected by the family must be within the minimum unit size requirements of HUD's Housing Quality Standards. This article explains the subsidy standards which will be used to determine the voucher size (family unit size) for various sized families when they are selected from the waiting list, as as the WHA's procedures when a family's size changes or a family selects a unit size that is different from the voucher.
The WHA does not determine who shares a bedroom/sleeping room, but there must be at least one person per bedroom on the voucher. The WHA's subsidy standards for determining voucher size shall be applied in a manner consistent with fair housing guidelines.
For subsidy standards, an "adult" is a person 18 years old or older.
All standards in this section relate to the number of bedrooms on the voucher, not the family's actual living arrangements.
The unit size on the voucher remains the same as long as the family composition remains the same, regardless of the actual unit size rented.
One bedroom will generally be assigned for each two family members. The WHA will consider factors such as family characteristics including sex, age, or relationship. Consideration will also be given for medical reasons and the presence of a live-in aide.
| Guidelines for Determining Voucher Size | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Persons in Household | |||
| Voucher Size (bedrooms) | Minimum Number | Maximum Number | |
| 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 2 | 2 | 6 | |
| 3 | 3 | 8 | |
| 4 | 4 | 10 | |
| 5 | 6 | 12 | |
| 6 | 8 | ||
The WHA shall grant exceptions from the subsidy standards if the family requests and the WHA determines the exceptions are justified by the relationship, age, sex, health or disability of family members, or other individual circumstances.
The WHA will grant an exception upon request as an accommodation for persons with disabilities. Circumstances may dictate a larger size than the subsidy standards permit when persons cannot share a bedroom because of a need, such as a verified medical or health reason, or elderly persons or persons with disabilities who may require a live-in attendant.
Request for exceptions to subsidy standards.
The family may request a larger-sized voucher than indicated by the WHA's subsidy standards. Such request must be made in writing within 30 calendar days of the WHA's determination of bedroom size. The request must explain the need or justification for a larger bedroom. Documentation verifying the need or justification will be required as appropriate.
Requests based on health-related reasons must be verified by a medical professional.
WHA error. If the WHA errs in the bedroom size designation, the family will be issued a voucher of the appropriate size.
Changes for applicants. The voucher size is determined prior to the briefing by comparing the family composition to the WHA subsidy standards. If an applicant requires a change in the voucher size, based on the requirements of the WHA subsidy standards, the above-referenced guidelines will apply.
Changes for participants. The WHA must approve the members of the family residing in the unit. The family must obtain approval of any additional family member before the new member occupies the unit except for additions by birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody, in which case the family must inform the WHA within 15 days. The above-referenced guidelines will apply. In general, the WHA will not award a new voucher size for an additional child under age two.
Under-housed families.
If a unit does not meet HQS space standards due to an increase in family size, (unit too small), the WHA will issue a new voucher of the appropriate size and assist the family in locating a suitable unit.
The WHA will also notify the family of the circumstances under which an exception will be granted, such as if a family with a disability is under-housed in an accessible unit.
The family may select a different size dwelling unit than that listed on the voucher. There are three criteria to consider:
Subsidy limitation. The family unit size as determined for a family under the WHA subsidy standard for a family assisted in the voucher program is based on the WHA's adopted payment standards. The payment standard for a family shall be the lower of:
Utility allowance. The utility allowance used to calculate the gross rent is based on the actual size of the unit the family selects, regardless of the size authorized on the family's voucher.
Housing quality standards. The standards allow two persons per living/sleeping room and permit maximum occupancy levels (assuming a living room is used as a living/sleeping area) as shown in the table below. The levels may be exceeded if a room in addition to bedrooms and living room is used for sleeping.
| HQS Guidelines for Unit Size Selected | ||
|---|---|---|
| Unit Size (bedrooms) | Maximum Number in Household | |
| 0 | 1 | |
| 1 | 4 | |
| 2 | 6 | |
| 3 | 8 | |
| 4 | 10 | |
| 5 | 12 | |
| 6 | 14 | |
