HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 6-22
Meal Program (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
Owners of properties for the elderly or persons with disabilities for which HUD approved
a mandatory meals program prior to April 1, 1987, must comply with the following:
A. Owners may charge a HUD-approved meals fee. Such fees are paid by the
tenants and are not rent. Income collected from such charges must be used
solely to offset costs associated with purchasing, preparing, and serving meals.
B. HUD requires owners to grant exceptions to participation in a meals program for
reasons such as medical or dietary restrictions, or employment.
C. Owners are required to execute a separate meals contract, incorporated as part
of the lease, stating the program requirements.Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-22, properties for elderly residents or persons with disabilities that received HUD approval for a mandatory meals program before April 1, 1987, are subject to specific rules governing how meal fees are charged and managed. Meal fees are treated separately from rent, and the revenue they generate must be used exclusively to cover the costs of purchasing, preparing, and serving meals. Owners must also allow exceptions to mandatory participation for qualifying reasons such as medical needs, dietary restrictions, or employment, and must formalize the program through a separate meals contract attached to the lease.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of HUD-assisted properties covered by HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-22 generally maintain a clear administrative separation between meal fee income and rental income, ensuring that meal-related revenue is applied only to meal program costs. Compliant operators document approved exceptions to mandatory meal participation—such as those based on medical, dietary, or employment grounds—and keep records supporting each exception granted. A separate meals contract, incorporated into the lease as required by § 6-22, is typically executed with each resident participating in the program, clearly stating all program requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 6-22 establishes that meal fees charged under a mandatory meals program are not rent, meaning they are governed by distinct rules and must be used solely for meal-related costs. Residents who have medical or dietary restrictions, or who are employed in ways that conflict with the program, have a recognized basis under § 6-22 to request an exception to mandatory participation. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision are not being honored may consider contacting the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting a housing attorney to understand available options.
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 25, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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