24 C.F.R. § 983.258
§ 983.258 Continuation of housing assistance payments. (24 CFR Part 983)
Operative Text
Housing assistance payments shall continue until the tenant rent equals the rent to owner. The cessation of housing assistance payments at such point will not affect the family's other rights under its lease, nor will such cessation preclude the resumption of payments as a result of later changes in income, rents, or other relevant circumstances if such changes occur within 180 days following the date of the last housing assistance payment by the PHA. After the 180-day period, the unit shall be removed from the HAP contract pursuant to § 983.211.
Under 24 CFR Part 983 § 983.258, housing assistance payments (HAP) made on a tenant's behalf continue only as long as the subsidy amount is greater than zero — that is, until the tenant's own rent contribution equals the full rent owed to the owner. When that point is reached and payments stop, the family's lease rights remain intact and unaffected. If circumstances such as income or rent levels change within 180 days of the last HAP payment, assistance can resume; beyond that 180-day window, the unit must be removed from the HAP contract under § 983.211.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 983.258, a compliant owner or property manager understands that a temporary gap in housing assistance payments does not automatically terminate the HAP contract or the tenancy. Operators generally track the 180-day window following the last HAP payment, since a unit whose assistance is not reinstated within that period must be removed from the HAP contract per § 983.211. Maintaining accurate records of payment dates and staying in communication with the Public Housing Authority (PHA) helps owners manage the transition if a family's financial circumstances change during this period.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 983.258 protects families by making clear that a pause in housing assistance payments does not strip away the rights a tenant holds under their existing lease. If your household's income, rent level, or other relevant circumstances shift within 180 days of the last HAP payment, assistance may be able to resume without losing the unit's place on the HAP contract. Tenants who believe their assistance was incorrectly stopped or who experience changes in circumstances during this window may consider contacting their local PHA, a HUD-approved housing counselor, or a tenant-rights organization to understand what options may be available under § 983.258.
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 4, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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