HUD Handbook 4350.3 § 7-2
Key Terms (HUD Occupancy Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4)
Operative Text
A. There are a number of technical terms used in this chapter that have very
specific definitions established by federal statute or regulations, or by HUD.
These terms are listed in Figure 7-1, and their definitions can be found in the
Glossary to this handbook. It is important to be familiar with these definitions
when reading this chapter.
B. The terms “disability” and “persons with disabilities” are used in two contexts –
for civil rights protections, and for program eligibility purposes. Each use has
specific definitions.
1. When used in context of protection from discrimination or improving the
accessibility of housing, the civil rights-related definitions apply.
2. When used in the context of eligibility under multifamily subsidized
housing programs, the program eligibility definitions apply.
NOTE: See the Glossary for specific definitions and paragraph 2-23 for an
explanation of this difference.
Figure 7-1: Key Terms
Annual income Family composition
Assets Gross rent change
Assistance payment Market rent
Assisted tenant Recertification anniversary date
Contract rent Total tenant payment (TTP)
Deductions Unit transfer
*Enterprise Income Verification Utility allowance
(EIV)*HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 7-2 establishes that a defined set of technical terms — such as "annual income," "contract rent," "total tenant payment," and "utility allowance" — carry precise meanings set by federal statute, regulation, or HUD policy when used in Chapter 7. Notably, the terms "disability" and "persons with disabilities" carry different definitions depending on whether they appear in a civil rights context (e.g., protection from discrimination) or a program eligibility context (e.g., qualifying for subsidized housing). Readers of this chapter are expected to consult the handbook's Glossary and paragraph 2-23 to understand which definition applies in a given situation.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of HUD-assisted multifamily properties subject to § 7-2 should ensure that staff responsible for tenant certification, rent calculation, and accommodation requests are familiar with the specific definitions listed in Figure 7-1 of the handbook. Because terms like "disability" carry distinct meanings depending on whether the context is civil rights compliance or program eligibility, a compliant operator maintains clear internal procedures that distinguish between these two frameworks. Consulting the HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 Glossary and paragraph 2-23 is a standard part of staff training and day-to-day administration.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under HUD Handbook 4350.3 REV-1 CHG-4 § 7-2, residents of HUD-assisted multifamily housing have an interest in understanding that key terms affecting their eligibility, rent, and rights — including what qualifies as a "disability" — are defined in specific ways that may differ from everyday usage. For example, whether a household member's disability is evaluated under civil rights protections or program eligibility rules depends on the context in which the question arises. Tenants who believe a term has been misapplied in their case may wish to review the handbook's Glossary, consult a tenant-rights organization, or contact the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for guidance.
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 30, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.