HUD HCV Guidebook § 4.2
“Zero HAP:” When the Family Pays the Full Contract Rent to the Landlord (HUD HCV Guidebook)
Operative Text
Housing assistance payments stop when the family can afford to pay the full rent to owner and any
utilities for which the family is responsible. Specifically, the PHA does not make housing assistance
payments when the following occurs:
Thirty percent of the family’s monthly adjusted income equals or exceeds the applicable
payment standard or
The family share equals or exceeds the gross rent (rent to owner plus utility allowance).
This is commonly known as “zero HAP.” As the HAP contract remains in effect for 180 calendar days
17 24 CFR § 982.308(g)
18 24 CFR § 982.451(b)(3)
19 24 CFR § 982.451(b)(4)(ii)
20 24 CFR § 982.514(b)
after the PHA makes the last housing assistance payment, stopping the housing assistance payment
in these situations does not affect the family’s rights under the lease. If the family’s income, size,
composition, or other circumstances change during the remaining term of the HAP contract, housing
assistance payments may be resumed.Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4.2, housing assistance payments (HAP) from a public housing authority (PHA) pause — a condition called 'zero HAP' — when a family's income rises to the point where they can cover the full contract rent and utilities on their own. The HAP contract itself stays active for 180 calendar days after the last payment is made, meaning the family's lease rights remain intact during that window. If the family's income, size, or composition changes during that period, HAP payments can resume without the family losing their voucher.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under HUD Housing Choice Voucher Guidebook § 4.2, a compliant owner or manager understands that a zero-HAP period does not terminate the HAP contract, which remains in force for 180 calendar days after the last assistance payment. During this window, operators generally continue honoring the existing lease and HAP contract terms, since the family's lease rights are unaffected by the payment pause. Owners also remain aware that if the family's circumstances change within that 180-day period, the PHA may resume making housing assistance payments under the same contract.
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 § 4.2 establishes that a family's lease rights are protected during a zero-HAP period — the HAP contract stays in effect for 180 calendar days after the last payment, so a landlord cannot use the payment pause alone as grounds to terminate the tenancy. Tenants whose income, household size, or composition changes during this period may be eligible to have assistance payments resumed, and reporting those changes promptly to the PHA is a recognized path for restoring benefits. Tenants who believe their rights under the HAP contract are not being respected can contact their local PHA, a HUD-approved housing counseling agency, or a tenant-rights organization for general 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 26, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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