HUD HCV Guidebook § 3.2
Family Share (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
The family share is the family’s contribution toward the gross rent. It is the family’s portion of the
rent to owner plus the applicable utility allowance for the unit, if any. The family share may be the
TTP or a higher amount, depending on the unit the family selects. For a family leasing a unit with a
gross rent at or below the payment standard, the family share will equal the TTP.
The family share is calculated by subtracting the HAP paid by the PHA from the gross rent. As
explained in Section 2.4 - Maximum Rent Burden at Initial Occupancy, the family share must23 not
exceed 40 percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income when the family initially moves into the
unit or signs the first assisted lease for a unit.
Although it is important for families to understand this concept while searching for housing, the
family share cannot be calculated until a unit is selected.
23
24 CFR 982.508Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.2, the family share is the portion of the total housing cost—rent plus any applicable utility allowance—that a voucher-holding family pays out of pocket after the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is subtracted. When a family chooses a unit whose gross rent falls at or below the payment standard, the family share equals the Total Tenant Payment (TTP). Federal regulation at 24 CFR 982.508 caps the family share at 40 percent of the family's monthly adjusted income at the time of initial occupancy or first assisted lease signing, ensuring that housing costs do not consume an excessive share of income at move-in.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.2, compliant operators understand that the rent they receive comes from two sources: the PHA's HAP payment and the tenant's family share. Because the family share is determined by subtracting the HAP from the gross rent, landlords generally ensure their proposed rent and any utility arrangement are clearly documented so the PHA can make an accurate calculation. Operators also recognize that at initial occupancy the family share is subject to the 40 percent of monthly adjusted income cap established by 24 CFR 982.508, which can affect whether a proposed unit is approvable under the program.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 3.2 defines how much of the total housing cost you are responsible for paying—your family share—which is what remains after the PHA's HAP payment is applied to the gross rent. If the unit you select has a gross rent at or below the payment standard, your share will equal your TTP; choosing a more expensive unit may increase your out-of-pocket cost. The provision also references the 40 percent income cap under 24 CFR 982.508, and tenants who believe this limit was not properly applied at move-in may raise the issue with their local PHA or consult a tenant-rights organization for guidance on 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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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