24 C.F.R. § 982.515
§ 982.515 Family share: Family responsibility. (24 CFR Part 982)
Operative Text
(a) The family share is calculated by subtracting the amount of the housing assistance payment from the gross rent. (b) The family rent to owner is calculated by subtracting the amount of the housing assistance payment to the owner from the rent to owner. (c) The PHA may not use housing assistance payments or other program funds (including any administrative fee reserve) to pay any part of the family share, including the family rent to owner. Payment of the whole family share is the responsibility of the family.
Under § 982.515, the Housing Choice Voucher program divides housing costs into two portions: the share covered by the Public Housing Authority's (PHA) housing assistance payment (HAP), and the remaining 'family share' that the household itself must cover. The family share is determined by subtracting the HAP from the gross rent, and the portion paid directly to the landlord is similarly calculated by subtracting the HAP from the total rent to owner. Critically, the rule prohibits the PHA from using any program funds—including administrative fee reserves—to cover any part of the family's share.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program under § 982.515 should understand that the PHA's housing assistance payment covers only its designated portion of the rent to owner; the remaining balance is the tenant family's sole financial responsibility. Compliant operators typically track the two payment streams separately—the HAP received from the PHA and the family rent paid directly by the tenant—and do not expect the PHA to make up any shortfall in the family's portion. If a family fails to pay their share, that is a matter between the owner and the tenant, as § 982.515 explicitly bars the PHA from using program funds to cover the family share under any circumstances.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 982.515, the portion of rent not covered by the housing assistance payment is entirely the household's financial responsibility, and the PHA is legally prohibited from using program funds to cover it on the family's behalf. Families participating in the Housing Choice Voucher program should be aware that falling behind on the family share can have serious consequences, including potential lease termination, since the PHA cannot step in to cover that gap. Tenants who have questions about how their family share was calculated or believe an error was made may consider contacting their local PHA, reaching out to a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, or consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with § 982.515 and the voucher program.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 3, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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